|
Post by Guinness on Oct 24, 2005 0:56:04 GMT -5
Ok, my esteemed Airsoft Reenactors I have seen Pvt. Mills pics here and the others from the pic thread- I'm a bit intimidated by which uniform to put together- First thing, I'm really not excited about wool......sorry but all I can imagine are these hot, scratchy pants and shirts...gah! So I came across this from atthefront: M1943 Field Uniform eBaySo is that acceptable? I think the cotton would work much better here in Colorado, cuz I don't really expect to be playing any winter games in the deep snow, 'sides airsoft gas guns do not like the cold much. I'm considering going paratrooper to back up my soon-to-be-owned M1Carbine paratrooper, but it will go with my also-soon-to-be-owned Marushin M1 Garand ;D I had origianlly planned on going reg infantry, but the whole wool, leggings and tie thing kinda puts me off, (sorry Pvt. Mills ) Of course the paratrooper means I have to get those damn $400 dollar jump boots lol. Plus now I can have a cool M1 helmet with a playing card symbol painted on it ;D I know this is just the first two parts of the Uni- I need a od teeshirt, boots, etc but what do you guys think? has anybody else put together the Jump unis? I was also thinking about going with the M1942 reinforced Jump Uniform, but its more expensive, and there are probably a bunch of Capt. Winters out there already lol. -G
|
|
|
Post by jonathonbarton on Oct 24, 2005 1:10:52 GMT -5
Dunno if it makes any difference to you, but HK is wrangling with "1st ID vs 3rd ID" impression at the moment...We thought about Airborne, but decided that basically *everyone* is all over Airborne at the moment - much like *everyone* suddenly had a deep, abiding interest in all things Scottish in the SCA after the release of Braveheart... ...and we're definitely not a group of guys to follow the latest fad...
|
|
|
Post by Capt. Zak on Oct 24, 2005 5:35:21 GMT -5
Hi Guiness. Drop me a PM. I have a very affordable US Airborne package I have been selling. I also offer Infantry packages as well. You can get an idea of what I have by visiting my site www.captzak.comIf you have any questions, just contact me and I'll do my best to help.
|
|
|
Post by Guinness on Oct 24, 2005 9:55:03 GMT -5
Sounds like a plan Capt. Zak! I have spent time looking through the Reenactors sites and I spent time in the Capt. Zak section (Nice work!), I haven't been able to figure out what goes with what you know? No one really does a good job of instruction and all with pictures- What would be good is to spend a weekend with the group and a digital camera and say "Ok, ya want to be a paratrooper?" And have pictures of the complete uni on someone and then show the different components that make that impression up, piece by piece- as well as your basic wool (ugh!) infantrymans kit- I'd be happy to help.....but I'm a long way from your area unfortunately Hopefully as I get involved with the local COASG group (Props to JB and his band of brothers ) and there are some like-minded WWII geeks among us we can help you with some how-to's, I'm sure you are working on it as well. I will put together a PM to ya when I get home this evening! Slainte! -G
|
|
|
Post by jonathonbarton on Oct 24, 2005 15:33:11 GMT -5
That's so funny, Guinness! I sent Capt. Zak an email late late last night, suggesting that a "What To Buy" page would be REALLY helpful, similar to what's on RussianCombatGear - seen here: www.russiancombatgear.com/whattochoose.phpGreat Minds Think Alike...
|
|
|
Post by Guinness on Oct 24, 2005 18:50:37 GMT -5
Yes sir, although we haven't met yet, it does seem like we are on the same page on many things!
Zak- I did some more surfing on the 'At the Front' site, PM is on its way-
-G
|
|
|
Post by 2nd bat on Oct 25, 2005 1:43:26 GMT -5
Hobby stores often have signal publications, small books with excellent references for various theaters and uniforms of the various countries. Including color references which are usually used by modellers for painting schemes. Also librarys and book stores often have reference books on the subject. I especially like the newer color editions from actual period photos which prove that just about any shade is authentic! And virtually any mix of uniforms was worn (especially at the front!)
Incidently years ago I had an incredibly anal living history chap telling all the reasons the M-41 I was wearing was incorrect down to the shade, thread counts and lining material and told me the color of my patch was wrong. It had a SHAEF patch in Black which he insisted was supposed to be Blue (Like they all were in the Patton movie) Problem is the jacket was my dads (issued in 1942 and with a patch he wore throughout most of the war. (It was changed to blue during occupation to symbolize the end of blackened oppression.) One of the few complaints my dad had about the movie Patton.
Rangers and line Infantry in the US forces in Europe had a wide latittude of uniforms and often wore OD Herringbone twill field pants and jackets. The introduction of the double buckle boots dramatically reduced the presence of leggings for line troops. The venerable M-41 tan field jacket was shunned where ever possible by line troops by 1944 in favorite of the superior M-43 (unfortuantely the rear eschelon troops grabbed everything that was new and better so many line doggies didn't get the newer issue. Same with the double buckle boots. Jump boots were the signature item for the airborne guys along with their M-42 suits which are pretty expensive but awful comfortable and still quite impressive.
The Norwegian M-43 jacket knock off are pretty darn close and extremely cheap. Gun shows often have vendors with a decent selection of vintage gear at generally good prices and second hand stores can occassionally shock you. I found a WW2 tanker helmet in perfect condition for $35.00 along with a tanker jacket, HBT jump suit with patches that I assume got turned in at the same time. (Grandpa probably died and the kids had no idea what to do with his stuff.) The jacket was an amazing $12.00! The jump suit which was minty was $10.00!
I swing by the thrift shops about every other week. If you know what you're looking for the values are amazing but it's like fishing, sometimes they're biting and some times they aren't
|
|
|
Post by jonathonbarton on Oct 25, 2005 13:47:43 GMT -5
Well, one of the issues we're going to run into here in Colorado is that we tend to "skip around" in terms of period and uniforms for each given Operation (we try to hold one a month) So one of the things I'm looking to put together for the locals (kids as young as 14 (though some of them are taller than my 5'9" already!), up to guys in their late 40's) is a super simple (even simpler than Sam's List) list of gear to get them "close" without spending a lot of money... F'rinstance, does the M65 OD Vietnam Era Field Jacket look "close enough" to the M1943/51 that it'd work if you put it with a Garand Cartridge Belt and Haversack? If so, our guys can buy a $20 M65 and have it work for both WWII and Vietnam impressions... *shrug* I'm rambling...
|
|
|
Post by Guinness on Oct 25, 2005 16:41:16 GMT -5
That sounds good Jon as a way to get more involvement at a minimum of expense- that may be a great way to grow the sport here. However having said that, I wonder if the folks that have invested a good amount of money and time into their impression may feel a bit discouraged that their effort was in vain? I guess as the popularity grows here in the front range that's a bridge you can cross when you get to it- Although I haven't sent the check yet, based on what I have seen from Capt. Zak, I plan on having him help me put together a nice, authentic kit that I will be proud to wear, at a VERY reasonable price- let's put it this way- A new Marui Thompson with wood furniture and upgrades or a fully authentic Paratrooper uni down to the boots and webgear (or Infantryman with correct gear).....hmmm I guess that new Tommy gun can wait another month or so And based on what kids spend today at the mall in a month, I don't think it's too big a stretch for them. I know my son has more spending money than I ever did at his age!.....but then I guess I'm the one that gives it to him....hmmmmm Getting back on topic, where are you finding your 'Nam era stuff- the only thing I have ever been able to find at the local Denver Army/Navy stores was a 'Nam era M1 Helmet with camo cover. -G
|
|
|
Post by CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers on Nov 13, 2005 23:23:49 GMT -5
I had origianlly planned on going reg infantry, but the whole wool, leggings and tie thing kinda puts me off, (sorry Pvt. Mills ) . -G you can still go regular infantry, you can wear double buckle boots, you dont have to wear a tie, nobody but patton's troops wore them. (cause they were forced too) the wool shirt isnt bad, in the summer you can just wear the shirt in the field, thats what alot of guys did.
|
|
|
Post by Capt. Zak on Nov 17, 2005 7:50:53 GMT -5
the wool shirt isnt bad, in the summer you can just wear the shirt in the field, thats what alot of guys did. You can also opt for the Capt. Zak Cotton repro field shirt. They don't itch, they're cooler in warmer climates and they are only $30.00 ($28.50 after the 5% WW2AA discount). Most wool repros will set you back at least $80.00. I'm also expecting my M43 uniforms in soon...both Paratrooper & infantry versions.
|
|
|
Post by Guinness on Nov 17, 2005 20:57:27 GMT -5
I'm patiently waiting on the shipment right now as you know- hmmm but I realize I didn't add the field shirt- So what is your suggestion to go with the m42 jump jacket set you will be sending? -G
|
|
YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by YankeeDiv26 on Feb 11, 2006 12:52:24 GMT -5
i have 2 somewhat unrelated questions. were the extra pockets on the paratrooper m1943 field jacket designed for grenades in particular or just to carry more gear. Also how would you attatch the grenade to your suspenters. I've seen it in just about every war movie but never spent the time to think about how.
|
|
|
Post by Guinness on Feb 11, 2006 13:39:35 GMT -5
the pockets are just for extra stuff- I have seen gi's stuff grenades in the lower pockets however. Usually they would just use the many extra bags and things they had for that unless they wanted to 'travel-light' and then they could possibly use the jacket pockets.
As far as the suspenders, there are 2 loops at the top of the shoulders on the m1936 field suspenders that the musette bag strap hooks attach too, thats where you would hook the spoon of a grenade through. look in this 'Allied Impression Information' section, in the 'My Impressions so Far' thread and you will see me with some on.
-G
|
|
|
Post by spitfire740 on Feb 11, 2006 18:05:39 GMT -5
I have a M43 jacket and I slapped a 45th ID patch on there and it looks and feels fine.
|
|