Royal Tank Regiment Uniform

[Folkbox1]

I saw a programme on the BBC last week (Regimental Stories I think it was called) about the RTR. My impression from the narration was that in the inter war years the uniform colour was changed to black (to hide the grease, oil and dirt) and from a clip they showed they certainly wear black today.

So, my question is, did the RTR wear black uniform or battledress in WW2? I don't remember seeing any scale figures or pictures of British tankers in anything other than the normal army battledress or pixie suit. If they did wear black, was it just the RTR or all armoured units that wore black?

[magman2]

battledress in WW2, black beret

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8549277@N04/4766980145/

[Chris Hewitt]

No they did not wear black because of the mix up it would have made with the German Panzer crews during the war ,Only RTR are allow to wear black to this day,plus they wear black jumpers instead of the boring green ones,well they did when I was in 4RTR.Each regiment had its own colour http://www.royaltankregiment.com/en-GB/col...lregiments.aspx

The wearing of black overalls is a custom reserved to the Regiment by Material Regulations for the Army, volume 3, Pamphlet No 4 (Code 13251). It stems from the Royal Review held at Aldershot in the presence of King George V on 13 July 1935 on which occasion black overalls were worn on parade by all ranks of the Royal Tanks Corps. The practice lapsed during World War II but was re-introduced in the 1950s.

After World War II, the RTR was reduced through various amalgamations, first in 1959-60:

•3RTR and 6RTR amalgamated as 3RTR

•4RTR and 7RTR amalgamated as 4RTR

•5RTR and 8RTR amalgamated as 5RTR

In 1969, 5RTR was disbanded, while under Options for Change, 4RTR amalgamated with 1RTR in1993, and 3RTR with 2RTR in 1992

Edited October 13, 2011 by Chris Hewitt

[pte1643]

they wear black jumpers instead of the boring green ones

Black "Norwegians" too.

[Folkbox1]

Thanks guys. I did wonder if the German Panzer uniform might have been a factor.

[Chris Hewitt]

Thanks guys. I did wonder if the German Panza uniform might have been a factor.

Yes it was the main reason for the withdraw of black overalls

[ferny]

LWC A Squadron Monday morning OC squadron parades in "Best black covvies" complete with black belt and ear defs! Pain to iron mind you!