1960s Infantry NCO

In 1950 the British Army adopted a new combat uniform consisting of baggy trousers and a combat jacket in olive green material.  It was meant to be worn over the existing Battledress.
In 1960 a new version was issued, made of thinner material and of a nicer cut and this became the Army's standard combat uniform until the 1966 and 1968 DPM combat suits were developed.

Growing up in the 1970s I saw the uniform nearly every Saturday thanks to Doctor Who, since the troops of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT) wore it, with a khaki beret, '58 webbing and curiously anklets rather than puttees.

In 1/6 scale we have to improvise.  Following the advice of Tony Barton (master 1/6 modeller) I bought a Soldier Story M1951 jacket from the Korean War.  It is similar to the 1960 pattern jacket but not the same.

This is the jacket as sold...

The 1960 pattern jacket required buttons on the pocket flaps and fly front covering the zipper, new pockets added to the lower part of the jacket, and a press stud to keep the lower portion of the jacket closed since the zipper doesn't go all the way down on this one.

This was the result...

Ideally I should have removed the breast pockets and re-attach them at a slight angle.  I didn't trust my own sewing skills with that kind of job.  Maybe next time.

All that was left was to assemble the figure, arm him and add him to my collection.

Here is a parts breakdown:

Head:              Headplay Vinnie Jones
Body:              unbranded
Hands:            Hot Toys

Shirt:               Dragon in Dreams
Face Veil:        Dragon
Trouser:          Barrack Sergeant
Jacket:            Soldier Story (modified)
Puttees:           Dragon
Boots:             Dragon (modified)

'58 Web:        Dragon
Poncho Roll:   Barrack Sergeant
Helmet:           Blue Box (new strap and camo)
Sterling:          Dragon

I'll add sergeant stripes once I find a decent set of fabric ones.