Glider Pilot Regiment BD blouse on ebay

Originally Posted by Bill A

Mr. Frankland, Rather than casting aspersions on the vendor, if you have concerns would you address the item. Whyis the tunic bad? Whatcan you point to the specific details? Blanket statements don't really do much for the members of the Forum.

No explanation regarding the first pattern pulp DR helmet being sold as a glider pilot helmet; nor the home office pattern DR helmet for that matter. And yes, glider pilots did wear the former in training and early- on in the war, but to describe both as more desirable glider pilot helmets is plain wrong in my book.

With regards the listings mentioned by "Mr Frankland", all I know is that the Compton maroon beret is worng, they weren't a wartime manufacturer

Originally Posted by Colin S

The three RAF men in the photo are using RAF rank and there are no Army items on their uniforms.

RAF pilots seconded to the GPR prior to Operation Varsity; I believe the photo was taken at RAF Earls Colne?. It was featured on the front cover of an issue of Medal News long ago.

Originally Posted by Colin S

Has anyone seen any contemporary photographic evidence of the combination of GPR titles, Pegasus, pips etc with RAF wings?

Only this one, note the RAF chap with pegasus flash

[bewley]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Mr. Frankland, Rather than casting aspersions on the vendor, if you have concerns would you address the item. Whyis the tunic bad? Whatcan you point to the specific details? Blanket statements don't really do much for the members of the Forum.

Always suspicious of such vitriol laden postings such as Mr Franklands, especially when they come from members with low posting history.
Rival dealers? Disaffected buyers perhaps?

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by MG4684

all I know is that the Compton maroon beret is worng, they weren't a wartime manufacturer

Are you sure?

Rgds, Thomas.

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

Are you sure?

Rgds, Thomas.

As sure as I can be; based on a fellow collectors research into wartime manufacturers over on the WA forum, and myself having never seen a single wartime-dated example in all the years I've been doing this.

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by bewley

Always suspicious of such vitriol laden postings such as Mr Franklands, especially when they come from members with low posting history.
Rival dealers? Disaffected buyers perhaps?

Just do a Google search!

Very enlightening!

Andy

[manchesters]

I have bought from Dave Hiorth at Miltiary Antiques Toronto only recently and found him to be a very sound bloke with a lot of good stock.

I see Gavin has a Para/SAS background which is of course a credit to him but not sure on his knowledge of original WW2 militaria.

Everything I have had from Dave has been original.

regards

[gavin frankland]

I didn't know I was so popular. My points are-

1-No communication from seller.Even if you don't agree what's being said, a two way conversation is nice.
2- Glider pilot helmets are 50's 60's motorcycle helmets.A simple check would have cleared that.
3-One of the para berets lettering does not match to that era.
Example- Kangol Wear Limited (date)= WW2

Kangol
Wear Limited (date) = post war
One of the berets lettering is fresh,too fresh. To be like this the plastic cover which all had from new has just been removed.The beret could not have been worn, making why the 1940's numbers have faded away. I know from my own issued berets how long the lettering lasts.
4- 158 Para Artillery was not formed in ww2, making the flag incorrect.

As for what I can and can not afford is school boy judgement.

I am by far means not a font of knowledge on these items, but I am however not easily fooled.

I hope this helps.

[Luc]

Originally Posted by MG4684

they weren't a wartime manufacturer

Allow me to be a bit more specific: Compton was a wartime headgear manufacturer, but not for maroon berets. The only maroon berets from Compton that I know of are either from 1955 or 1964.