history Fishtail parka M-1951
The ‘fishtail’ parka was developed in the late 1940s as an ensemble of separate and detachable parts to provide flexible protection against extreme, changing weather conditions. The parka was designed oversized to fit on top of a full uniform, and was made to withstand temperatures below -10°C. The fishtail shape is due to the split in the back, where drawstrings on the bottom hems were intended to be tied around the legs for added insulation.
history Fishtail parka M-1951
The ‘fishtail’ parka was developed in the late 1940s as an ensemble of separate and detachable parts to provide flexible protection against extreme, changing weather conditions. The most common version of the 1951 parka consisted of a light, water-repellent shell layer made of a cotton-and-nylon blend, a button-in mohair liner and a fur-lined hood.
The outer shell could be worn without the liner in milder temperatures. It featured a thin, permanently attached hood, two diagonal pockets and a covered zip.
The parka was designed oversized to fit on top of a full uniform, and was made to withstand temperatures below -10°C. The fishtail shape is due to the split in the back, where drawstrings on the bottom hems were intended to be tied around the legs for added insulation.
