M-51 Fishtail Parka and such

[Edward]

I believe the UK Mods (1960s), and Mod revival (1980s), made these popular. I'm not sure they were wearing US fishtails though. Whatever jacket it was, it was at least similar. Seems like a lot of fabric flopping around the body, but maybe I'm wrong in that estimation. Longer jackets really aren't my thing though.

My understanding from several hardcore mods I know is that the parka thing was very much an eighties revival thing, and that Quadrophenia is about as representative of true mods as Grease is of MCs. Those I know refer to the parka-ed up Liam Gallagher lookalikes as"comedy mods", with serious disdain. Similar to the view taken of Showaddywaddy by real Teds. No idea how accurate this is myself.

Looking in from the outside, I'm always intrigued by how mod has evolved from something that was originally intended to be very fashion forward to an entirely retro thing.

 

[bn1966]

When did the US stop using this coat? Unless it's actually issued to a soldier, everything is a clone. Even if manufactured by the original contractor, and made to exact specs, it's not "authentic" if it wasn't actually issued to a soldier.

Now let's get to the good stuff.




How well are they made? Is there a liner, or just the shell for kids to look cool wearing it? How about pricing and availability? Is there a brand name label? Do you own it?

Here's the website of one of our major 'players', have a look around it. Got them to put a 'wolf' ruff on my M-65 some years back (nice job they did too): https://www.fishtailparkas.com/

 

[bn1966]

My understanding from several hardcore mods I know is that the parka thing was very much an eighties revival thing, and that Quadrophenia is about as representative of true mods as Grease is of MCs. Those I know refer to the parka-ed up Liam Gallagher lookalikes as"comedy mods", with serious disdain. Similar to the view taken of Showaddywaddy by real Teds. No idea how accurate this is myself.

Looking in from the outside, I'm always intrigued by how mod has evolved from something that was originally intended to be very fashion forward to an entirely retro thing.

As a '79 revival 'Mod', current scooterist & associate of some 60's originals (still riding), echoing Edward's post: totally patched up & badged up Parka wearers are currently viewed by many in the 'scene' as 'Comedy Mods'. Appears that in the 60's 'un-adorned' parkas were worn by some Mods and some scooter riders that were known as 'scooter-boys'.

The club I currently ride with abandoned parkas back in the early 80's & would probably refer to themselves as scooter-boys, though 'boys' would be pushing it a bit given most are now 50+.

Events involving 'Mods' & the revival scene are actively avoided by many. Headlining band at the last major 2020 scooter rally (before corvid 19) were 'Sham 69' who are likely for many more representative of the scooter scene spirit than the many 'Mod' bands.

Argument continues to rage on social media as to how a forward looking youth cult following 'Modernism' can still call itself: 'Mod' when it's full of old geezers sporting fashions from the 60's & 80's

Hoping that the Corona thing has passed by August allowing us to rally with various bike clubs in the UK & watch the like of 'King Kurt' & 'Demented are Go' @ 'Oddballs'..a long way from 'Showwaddywaddy'...long live Psychobilly..

 

[Doctor Damage]

US military winter uniforms, 1951

 

[Doctor Damage]

informative thread here:

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3467-usmc-m-1951-cold-weather-uniforms/

 

[Doctor Damage]

apparently there were several versions of these parkas: 1948, 1950, 1951, and 1965

anyways, here's some photos from the Korean War

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

here's an intriguing photo... these soldiers are clearly wearing these types of parkas (note the fishtail on the soldier at far left) or variants, yet the Hummer in the background indicates it's a relatively recent photo... did the US military use old parkas into the 1980s?

 

[Fifty150]

For someone in the know, you could analyze the gear, the camouflage pattern, the vehicles....... I don't know. I know that when specifications change, some of the old stuff is in use, while they issue new stuff. And some things are simply used until you run out of it.

When the US went to Desert Shield, were the 1st group of soldiers sent with green and woodland camouflage? Is Kuwait cold at night, like Las Vegas? Did anyone get desert camouflage cold weather gear?

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

That picture is also pre-ILBE. I would think with that information and Hummer contracts, one could date that scene relatively closely.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improved_Load_Bearing_Equipment

 

[Doctor Damage]

That picture is also pre-ILBE. I would think with that information and Hummer contracts, one could date that scene relatively closely.

another data point: Fritz helmet (in the bottom right strapped to the top of a backpack)

 

[Doctor Damage]

I already posted this image above but it's worth a close look.



Edit: I've add the photo below which I saw today. From the info in a book I have on the Korean War, these were the "World War II" parka, which had a pile lined hood/collar and big external cargo pockets on the skirts.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

This is all bringing back some really miserable memories. So damn cold!
B

 

[Fifty150]

After looking at all of the photos, it's obvious that soldiers were not wearing just jeans and a t-shirt. How cold is it when you guys wear the coat? What are you guys wearing for insulation layers under the coat.

 

[bn1966]

I’m usually XL to XXL in jackets / coats & only a Large in my M-65 Parka. I find it great bad weather protection but no wear near as warm as an
N-3B. In fact ‘Mods’ can still be found wearing them in summer. The ‘65 was cut big I believe to allow a lot of uniform underneath, I generally lightly layer the ‘65 and break out the N-2B if it gets really chilly in the UK which is rare.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I’m usually XL to XXL in jackets / coats & only a Large in my M-65 Parka. I find it great bad weather protection but no wear near as warm as an
N-3B. In fact ‘Mods’ can still be found wearing them in summer. The ‘65 was cut big I believe to allow a lot of uniform underneath, I generally lightly layer the ‘65 and break out the N-2B if it gets really chilly in the UK which is rare.

Do you have the quilted insulated liner in yours?

 

[Edward]

Events involving 'Mods' & the revival scene are actively avoided by many. Headlining band at the last major 2020 scooter rally (before corvid 19) were 'Sham 69' who are likely for many more representative of the scooter scene spirit than the many 'Mod' bands.

Nice to know the Cockney Cowboys are still on the go! JImmy Pursey deserves better than to be making his money from Campari ads... Funny, though, I always knew 'em as a punk band....

Hoping that the Corona thing has passed by August allowing us to rally with various bike clubs in the UK & watch the like of 'King Kurt' & 'Demented are Go' @ 'Oddballs'..a long way from 'Showwaddywaddy'...long live Psychobilly..

"Take a razor to your head!"

When the US went to Desert Shield, were the 1st group of soldiers sent with green and woodland camouflage? Is Kuwait cold at night, like Las Vegas? Did anyone get desert camouflage cold weather gear?

Pretty sure I've seen photos of Monty on North African desert nights wearing his duffel coat...

 

[Doctor Damage]

useful info & photos in the link below (French language site), definitely worth a look

https://usmc-collectors.pagesperso-orange.fr/fichiers listes et divers/korea catalog 11.htm

 

[Doctor Damage]

good photos of some supposedly vintage parkas here:

https://lammyman.co.uk/collections/all/m51-parka
https://lammyman.co.uk/collections/all/m65-parka

 

[bn1966]

Do you have the quilted insulated liner in yours?

It is quilted Doc but not overly warm I find, it’s often worn over here with the hood detached by Mod orientated scooter boys. The hoods on these I think were designed to fit over a helmet so aren’t small. I have the white winter camo outer shell too but have never worn that out in public