Machine Gun Corps tank crew overalls (Great War)

[Plynkes]

Hiya. My Mollo book says that initially the tankers' overalls were blue (later switching to brown), but that's as far as it goes. Doesn't say what kind of blue. My guess would be a dark blue, like a navy uniform, as it would show the dirt (oil, etc.) much less. Anybody know for sure?

[twrchtrwyth]

Are you talking about British crew?

[Svennn]

I have no knowledge or reference to draw on but I would say dark blue also just based on what you do and would have encountered in civvy street?

[Plynkes]

Yeah, Brits. Sorry, forgot to say that (other than the MGC reference, which is admittedly, not exactly clear).

I was busy khaki-ing away on the remnants of my tank crew and noticed that one seems to be in overalls (or dungarees, as they seem to have called them, but they certainly weren't dungarees in the sense we use the word today, we're actually talking about a kind of boiler suit-type effort) rather than service dress. Remembering the reference to blue I thought it might be a little relief from all the khaki.

[archangel1]

Here's what it says on the 'Landships' site.

'When in action it was common for British Tank crews to wear overalls, in the shape of simple one-piece “boiler suits” of denim material, without visible pockets apart from two pockets in the “trousers”, and a very small stand collar. In 1916 these overalls were light or pale blue....(When working on the vehicles dark blue or black denims seem to have been worn.)'

[Will Bailie]

Blue would add some nice variety.  I painted mine brown, as described in the Osprey book:

[Plynkes]

Cheers, Archangel1. I don't know why I didn't think to check out Landships.

Will, that's an interesting-looking battle you have going on there, what with Mounties, Highlanders and Ancient Celts, is it?

[Hammers]

Cheers, Archangel1. I don't know why I didn't think to check out Landships.

Will, that's an interesting-looking battle you have going on there, what with Mounties, Highlanders and Ancient Celts, is it?

A Very Weird Civil War, prehaps?

[Will Bailie]

Haha, I should get you guys to write my picture captions!  The reality is much less interesting in that they are simply part of "What I Painted in December 2008".  That was a good painting month for me, featuring the tankies, two types of mounties (full dress and patrol dress), policiers francais, highlanders, a scratchbuilt Canadian Autocar, Eureka's Beowulf and Co, plus 'Er Majesty (Gawd Bless 'Er).

And I've nary touched a brush since!  But hopefully that will change soon.