The misterious "BIG MAC uniform".

[Proud Kraut]

Every historian/collector has his own preferences. One is looking for the high end top ranks stuff, another one is looking for as much items as possible. I'm focused on everything related to one specific garrison over here. But I'm sure everybody is at least interested in the extraordinary, "customized" stuff you won't see every day.
Going through a box of pictures in the German Artillery Society's archiv I found this picture between hundreds more:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3461313662.jpg

Navy, AirForce, Flight suits were my thoughts...next picture...HALT! Both soldiers are wearing army rank and national insignia at an obviously white overall and Herr Obergefreiter seems to have a red beret in his hip pocket...second look. Okay, I'm sitting in an Artillerie-Archiv and these guys seem to analyze aerial photos. Could be early Drohnen (UAV) personnel at work, ....in white coveralls?????

Calling a senior NCO last week, I asked him about white coveralls in use by the "Drohneure". He told me that these Overalls were worn from 1981 – 1983, when the Drohnenlehrbatterie was performing hot climate trials with a new UAV in Yuma, Arizona. And he rembered, how they were called by the members of the battery: "Big Macs".

First thought was, that he was kidding me. Then he told me more about these trials in Yuma. The battery was send to Yuma with standard OD field uniforms. Sandy-colored Dienstanzug uniforms were issued as well but these were of course unpractical for the daily work. In a "JCPenney" store white overalls were found. To give that coveralls an "uniform look" national and rank insignia, name tapes and a local made pocket patches were sewn on. The battery commander decided to launch a request for approval. Actually the German Liasion Staff in Washington approved the "uniform" for local wear during these trials. As far as the NCO remembered each soldier bought 2-3 of these coveralls.

Today I met the NCO. He gave me his overall for the society's collection. Additionally he showed me the battery's chronicle with dozens of pictures showing these uniforms worn. Still today reunions of the former members of this trial-unit were called "Big Mac Treffen". Uniforms? IMHO yes! They were worn by an entire unit, they were approvad (for local wear) by a higher HQ and regulations were made for the wear of these uniforms. Now let the pictures speak for themselves.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6665396331.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3331313839.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6337383934.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6132386534.jpg

Some more pictures of the overalls in use:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3933613834.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6462653738.jpg

Picture of the battery's insignia. Far left one was worn 1981 at the beginning of the trials. Center one was worn since 1982. Right one was worn with the 5-Farben-Flecktarn until unit's deactivation.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3439336361.jpg

Hope you enjoy that story as much as I enjoed to unreval this little mystery.

[Collectinsteve]

That is a great story! And once again reminding us that it is impossible to know everything about even a single unit, not to mention an entire armed force!

Immediately I thought of LW personnel training in the US (Texas?) who wore standard US OG-107 uniforms with BW badging. Or the soldiers in Somalia who wore French uniforms with BW badging. I am sure there are many other examples of practical adoption of unofficial uniforms. But this one is even better because it wasn't a military uniform to start with!

Two questions for you about the Big Mac coveralls:

1. What was the reason for the name? Because it symbolized America?

2. How did they keep their coveralls clean?!? White is not a common military work uniform color for a reason

Keep up the research! Lots more fun for you and good stories for us to read about.

Steve

[Marc Sherriff]

Going by the labels the overalls were sourced from the 'BIG MAC' chain of burger restaurants.

Marc

[Proud Kraut]

Two questions for you about the Big Mac coveralls:

1. What was the reason for the name? Because it symbolized America?

2. How did they keep their coveralls clean?!? White is not a common military work uniform color for a reason

Steve

Steve, they named them by the BIC MAC labels (pic 5 of my previous post).

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6132386534.jpg

Lars

[Proud Kraut]

Going by the labels the overalls were sourced from the 'BIG MAC' chain of burger restaurants.

Marc

Marc, I googled BIC MAC overalls and got several hits. Seems to be a working cloth producer. Do you really think it has something to do with McDonalds or did I misinterpret your post?

Regards

[Marc Sherriff]

Marc, I googled BIC MAC overalls and got several hits. Seems to be a working cloth producer. Do you really think it has something to do with McDonalds or did I misinterpret your post?

Regards

Of course I may be wrong, but I am sure I read and have seen signs for 'BIG MAC' before the McDonalds signs came along. If proved wrong the posts can always be deleted to save inaccuracies slipping in.

It would be nice to get one of those, so I will have to ask a few people.

Marc

[Collectinsteve]

Interesting! I missed the picture of the label.

Yes, I think it is odd that the clothing company was able to use the name "Big Mac". McDonald's is well known for being extremely aggressive for any copyright violations. Previous use of the term doesn't matter. I even read a story, many years ago, where they sued a contractor (plumber, electrician... something like that) who drove around in a van with "McDonald's" painted on the side. They claimed trademark violation. He wound up winning the case because his name was McDonald and not even the largest fast food chain could take it away from him

But then I found this article that explains it:

http://vintrowear.wordpress.com/2011...-by-jc-penney/

Apparently they got the trademark in 1922. Well before McDonald's did. So now I am surprised that JC Penney didn't sue McDonald's for trademark violation.

Steve

[Marc Sherriff]

There you go then. Nothing to do with Burgers, horse or otherwise.

Marc

[chiffonnier]

All I can add;
I like everything from Mcdonalds.
Every burger tastes great,I'm a big fan.
At least once a week.
With french fries of course.
I like those white coveralls just as much,great collectable Lars .
Perfect combination;burgers and BW goodies.
I'm waiting now for a burger king flight jacket.
Sorry,
alcohol's kicking in.
All the best,
Kees

[Gordon Craig]

Proud Kruat,

What a unique piece of BW history you have. Having all of the associated badges and insignia really makes it noteworthy. Very kind of you to post all of this very interesting information for the rest of us to enjoy.

Regards,

Gordon

[Proud Kraut]

Epilog: Last month I got a call from a retired Stabsfeldwebel. He wanted to donate the insignia he collected during his career at the German Arty School to the German Artillery Association. When I visited him I learned that he had collected a nearly complete collection of all German Arty pocket hangers available in the 1980's/1990's. Within the lot I found a pocket hanger of an AN/USD-501 UAV unit. Upon request he told me that he had collected these insignia from trainees joining different trainings at the Arty School in Idar-Oberstein. At least this one I've never seen before. Doing a short online research I learned that the UAV Drohne CL 89 (former AN/USD-501) was tested in Yuma/Arizone and Shilo/Manitoba in the 1960's as well. Unfortunately this little gem has no manufacturer's logo.