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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 13, 2014 23:27:39 GMT -5
So. I'm wanting to start a WWII impression! I've been reenacting the Vietnam war for a few years now, so historical impressions are nothing new to me. Anyways, I'm wondering what good websites for getting this stuff are? I've been looking at this website www.atthefrontshop.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=38 and they look pretty good. their prices are a bit high for me at the moment, but from the sound of it, you get what you pay for! I was thinking of doing a BAR gunner impression, as I LOVE the BAR, and don't wanna be just another guy with a Thompson. I was considering doing an impression of the 100th ID in late 1944, as that was the division my grandfather served with during his time in WWII. Anybody know if there's anything special I need? This will be a simple impression to start out. here's a list of what I plan on getting. -BAR belt -M1928 Haversack -M1910 canteen cover with canteen -M1924 Carlisle bandage pouch -M1910 T handle shovel with carrier -Summer M1941 field jacket -HBT trousers and shirt For now I'll be using my Vietnam era M1 helmet, and my jungle boots with M1938 leggings to cover them up a bit. And of course the BAR. Let me know if I'm missing anything! -Alden
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Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Dec 14, 2014 0:00:26 GMT -5
ATF is probably your best bet for kit, its all pretty good and acceptable by anyone, especially their US gear. Where are you located, btw?
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 14, 2014 2:08:24 GMT -5
ATF is probably your best bet for kit, its all pretty good and acceptable by anyone, especially their US gear. Where are you located, btw? I'm located in Prunedale California. Just outside Salinas.
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Post by ssgjoe on Dec 14, 2014 10:59:18 GMT -5
Look up "WWII Airsoft CA" on Facebook to link up with other WWII airsofters in CA
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Post by ssgjoe on Dec 14, 2014 10:59:30 GMT -5
I'm located near San Jose myself
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 14, 2014 11:59:14 GMT -5
So. I'm wanting to start a WWII impression! I've been reenacting the Vietnam war for a few years now, so historical impressions are nothing new to me. Anyways, I'm wondering what good websites for getting this stuff are? I've been looking at this website www.atthefrontshop.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=38 and they look pretty good. their prices are a bit high for me at the moment, but from the sound of it, you get what you pay for! I was thinking of doing a BAR gunner impression, as I LOVE the BAR, and don't wanna be just another guy with a Thompson. I was considering doing an impression of the 100th ID in late 1944, as that was the division my grandfather served with during his time in WWII. Anybody know if there's anything special I need? This will be a simple impression to start out. here's a list of what I plan on getting. -BAR belt -M1928 Haversack -M1910 canteen cover with canteen -M1924 Carlisle bandage pouch -M1910 T handle shovel with carrier -Summer M1941 field jacket -HBT trousers and shirt For now I'll be using my Vietnam era M1 helmet, and my jungle boots with M1938 leggings to cover them up a bit. And of course the BAR. Let me know if I'm missing anything! -Alden That's pretty much all you need. I would recommend wools over HBTs, but they're not necessary. When you get your BAR, I would recommend converting your mags to midcaps. All the BAR hicaps I have seen have been seriously crappy in the feeding area.
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Post by patrickl29th on Dec 14, 2014 12:50:56 GMT -5
I have a regular infantry impression to. This is what I have... m1941 m1941 summer m1941 artic m1943 set full webgear hbt pants wool m37 pants and service shirt. All you basically need is hbt pants, service shoes(roughout) leggings, m1941 either summer or regular, full webgear, wool service shirt.
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Post by kilroysbrother on Dec 14, 2014 13:18:25 GMT -5
I don't know specifically about the 100th ID but I would recommend getting your stuff in this order.
1. Wool shirt, trousers, trouser belt, and boots. 2. Helmet 3. Gun 4. Webbing 5. All the extras that make an impression good. 6. Last but not least don't ever slack on the research.
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 14, 2014 19:21:11 GMT -5
How do I convert hicaps to midcaps? would I need to use M14 midcaps and midify them to go inside the BAR magazine shell?
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 14, 2014 19:42:26 GMT -5
They actually use M16 guts in the hicaps. One would need to take short M16 midcap magazines and align them in the BAR shells. The 110 rd ones feed very well
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Dec 14, 2014 21:03:34 GMT -5
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 15, 2014 4:05:26 GMT -5
I agree that wools would be far more common than HBT but for california the HBTs will be far more comfortable and could be used for all theaters. Leggings are a cheap touch that add a lot and allow you early on to get by with foot wear you could buy cheaply at a thrift shop. For most of the war khaki colored gaitors would be best.
The airsoft BARs are quite impressive but their length and weight will challenge you (appropriately). A three pocket BAR canvas bandoleer would be a nice touch and aren't horribly expensive. Good luck with it.
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Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Dec 15, 2014 14:53:08 GMT -5
OK, wools breathe. Theyre fine in hot weather. I honestly wonder sometimes why people always try to go for whats 'comfortable"; its reenacting. Should be about what was commonly worn, not what is more confortable. rant over.
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Post by aldrich on Dec 15, 2014 15:27:39 GMT -5
To be fair, US GI's were known to wear hbt pants over wools as they were more study and held up longer to wear and tear. They really are not all too uncommon to rule out completely. While it was more uncommon to see guys just wearing the HBT's, HBT pants with a m1941 jacket really isn't all too uncommon. Though ultimately I would first get a wool shirt over a HBT, there is nothing wrong with HBT's as a base impression as long as it is paired correctly with everything else. I do agree that some go with the more comfortable route at the expense of realism, but I wouldn't really say that US HBT is one of those instances.
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Post by patrickl29th on Dec 15, 2014 17:46:09 GMT -5
Soooo many people argue about HBT pants being worn on Dday or in Normandy, there are hundreds of photos of infantry wearing HBT pants, service shirt and a m1941 jacket.
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 15, 2014 22:55:08 GMT -5
Well for now I don't have ANY WWII gear, so for right now, I'll be wearing Utilities and buying a BAR belt first. So maybe I'll say it's a Vietnam early Advisor impression until I get the HBTs and M41 jacket. The reason I'm saying HELL NO to wools is this: Where I live in CA, it's pretty cool most of the time. But where I play airsoft, I've only seen clouds ONCE. and 360 days out of the year, it's VERY hot and sunny there. Wearing the 3rd pattern tropical jacket (a very thin jacket for those of you who don't know, AND no undershirt might I add...) I was still really sweaty at the end of the day, and it was very hot.
So. That being said, I think I might just wear HBT pants, M41 jacket, and an undershirt as my base uniform. Was this a common practice to wear the M41 jacket without the HBT jacket underneath?
and just HOW accurate are movies like Saving Private Ryan? I'm wondering, because a lot of the Vietnam movies get lots of things wrong involving gear...
PS: My brother is doing a German impression. I dunno what unit or anything, but I'll try to get him on here sometime to share what he's got so far!
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Post by aldrich on Dec 15, 2014 23:33:08 GMT -5
The wool shirt was worn underneath. The wool used in these shirts really was not extremely warm. It has a really light weave that makes it look slightly thicker, but in reality it lets the air flow through the fibers better. Since you live in Southern California, have you considered a US Italian front impression? Quite a few major battles were fought in Italy by the US during WWII. Not only would an Italian impression be perfect for the terrain of SoCal, but it would also help heat wise as US troops traveled very light in Southern Italy/Sicily due to the heat. All you would need is shoes, wool pants and a shirt, leggings, helmet, and the BAR/ other gear, and the summer m1941 jacket for those cooler days.
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 15, 2014 23:37:19 GMT -5
I haven't really heard of the US battles against the Italians. I might consider it. Any good reference pics of the conflict in those areas?
Also, I don't live in Socal. I just live in Cal. Central-ish. it's "Hella" cool...
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Post by brownien on Dec 15, 2014 23:40:15 GMT -5
If you want to go for correct and cool. Use HBT trousers without wools underneath, and just use the summer weight M41 jacket. You can also sub the light m41 jacket for the HBT jacket with a t shirt underneath. Another option, would be to just wear the wool trousers and shirt. Ditch the M41 jacket. I've worn my uniform like that on hot days and it hasn't been a problem. Plus most repro wool shirts aren't the heavy flannel shirt like the originals. They are more of a cotton dress shirt kind of thickness. Not too hot at all. Other than that, go with leggings and roughout boots or some brown boot underneath your leggings. Double buckle boots may seem easier, but they weren't widely used until late war. Leggings are correct for the duration of the war
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Dec 15, 2014 23:47:54 GMT -5
Yeah... I was stationed in SoCal, and it was warm and hot all year around. Staying far away from wools is something that you just can't hold against the person. The feeling of cold was a distance memory.
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 15, 2014 23:53:46 GMT -5
Well I used to live in Minnesota. So this is a huge change for me! I know some infantrymen HAD the airborne jump boots. How common was this exactly?
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Post by aldrich on Dec 16, 2014 0:10:36 GMT -5
Though Sicily involved the Italian army, the Italian front mostly involved fighting against the Germans in Italy who put up a deadly and tenacious defense. After Sicily was invaded the Italian people were so fed up with Mussolini that they capitulated and were quickly disarmed by the German army. Some good points of research are the Landings at Gela (Sicily) and the battle of Sicily. The landings at Salerno (southern Italy) and the landings at Anzio along with the battle for Monte Cassino. It is one of my favorite fronts of the War.
As for paratrooper boots, it largely depends on the unit and how much access that unit would have had to such equipment. I would stay away from using paratrooper boots, it was quite rare as a general rule.
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Post by aldrich on Dec 16, 2014 0:26:42 GMT -5
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Post by ssgjoe on Dec 16, 2014 1:00:11 GMT -5
Hey Aldenlulamoon, have you checked out the FB group I posted? Get your brother in touch with me, I do German myself and could help him out and maybe even meet him at a game
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 16, 2014 1:01:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the info! I'll buy a set of wool first along with the BAR belt. I already have leggings that I can use temporarily, but I don't think they're correct. I think they're ceremonial ones. I already have an M1 helmet, but it's not a WWII model.
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Post by ssgjoe on Dec 16, 2014 1:02:19 GMT -5
I'd say that you get a field jacket and wool service shirt. And if it gets hot, strip down to the wool service shirt. It's not too hot in those. I wear a wool German uniform in Hollister which can be pretty hot. But yeah, as long as you don't get heat stroke though
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 16, 2014 1:03:55 GMT -5
Hey Aldenlulamoon, have you checked out the FB group I posted? Get your brother in touch with me, I do German myself and could help him out and maybe even meet him at a game I haven't checked out the group, as I don't do FB at all. I like to stay off the internet as much as possible. XD being a Furry and a Brony gets me too much negative attention. I prefer small communities like this, and the VNAS forum.
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Post by brownien on Dec 16, 2014 1:05:12 GMT -5
Just take that Mitchell cover off and you'll be fine for ww2. only real difference is the slightly shallower dome of the vietnam era helmet, but its hardly noticable.
Btw, in that photo, is that an Iphone in his shirt pocket?! lol
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Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 16, 2014 1:13:48 GMT -5
Every GI worth his salts carries an android, Brownien. XD ipods wouldn't survive the trip overseas
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Post by patrickl29th on Dec 16, 2014 15:19:29 GMT -5
Or you can wear a HBT jacket under your summer m1941, I've seen that a lot. But the wool service shirts arnt that bad in the heat.
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