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Post by 2ndranger on Jul 17, 2006 0:50:08 GMT -5
Well along with my 9th SS imp. Id like to do a radio man imp. I have a m43 paratrooper uniform any ideas of what Ill need as far as gear and weapons? And does anyone know where I can get instructions on how to make a US field radio? Or can someone tell me if not where would i be able to obtain a inexpensive radio?
Schutze
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Jul 17, 2006 7:43:47 GMT -5
hey schutze i do a 82nd airbone radio op impression you carry all the same gear as an original soilder and to find a radio do a google search on bc-1000
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Jul 17, 2006 7:52:43 GMT -5
there is a nice one on ebay right now
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Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
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Post by Nimlas on Jul 17, 2006 8:51:12 GMT -5
You'd probably have less gear though. Unless you're used to it it's one heavy SOB, you'd usually be armed with a carbine.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 17, 2006 12:29:39 GMT -5
Intrestingly the man portable, back pack style platoon and company radio was called the "walkie talkie" The smaller hand held radio we usually hear referred to as the "walkie talkie" was in fact called the "Handy talkie"
I managed to find some canvas radio back packs with all the straps and rest plates. I then took some thin all metal OD ammo cans and rigged the wall opposite the latch hardware with a couple small "U Brackets" along the ends. I then mounted a couple fake knobs using water bottle caps painted and held in place with wing nuts and finally attached a phoney whip antenna with some sections of painted carpentars tape measure metal. I then attached a section of coiled wire to a handset that in fact consisted of a GMRS radio. You then strap the fake radio into the back pack and from 10 feet away it lookes pretty accurate. Particularly so for a Vietnam era PRC 25 or PRC 77. In WW2 the man pack radio was quite a bit bigger then the ammo can I use but the idea is the RTO is noticeable and identifiable from a distance and has authentic restrictions in terms of mobility and use of their radio.
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Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
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Post by Nimlas on Jul 17, 2006 13:38:18 GMT -5
You've gotta fill the cans with cement John! Actually, that sounds like a great idea. If I ever come across the needed materials I just might make one. What kind of ammo cans did you use? A .50 can seems like it might be big enough for a WWII radio, no?
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Post by steven on Jul 17, 2006 13:48:52 GMT -5
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Post by 2ndranger on Jul 17, 2006 17:24:24 GMT -5
2ndbat would you happen to have any pics of your walkie-talkie and what type of ammo cans do you have and where is the best place to purchase them? Thanks
Schutze
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Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
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Post by Nimlas on Jul 17, 2006 20:01:42 GMT -5
You can get them at army navy stores for cheap if I remember quite right. I remember seeing 50 cal ammo cans for 5 bucks at a surplus story in NY.
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Post by 2ndranger on Jul 18, 2006 20:54:51 GMT -5
Well Im not sure how to put this but since the M43 paratroop uniform was made, So Ive heard, for winter and cold weather so what unit can I portray with that? Can I do 101st or 82nd airborne or 17th airborne radio man?
Schutze
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Post by mauser98k on Jul 18, 2006 21:28:57 GMT -5
Yes, all of them. And the m43 uniform wasn't just for winter, it was al around.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 18, 2006 22:43:48 GMT -5
The M-43 would be fine for any late war impression and for any season. It was sized quite large to accomodate layers under neath for cold weather. It's one of the reasons modern humans have an easier time finding some that fit then they do with actual M-41s. Folks were young and fit and thin and frankly smaller then they are now.
I used a 5.56 thin ammo can painted solid OD with the attachments as described to make it look like a radio. I'll take some pictures and post them. As mentioned I did them really for Vietnam era events and they are frankly the wrong shape and size for WW2 walkie talkies.
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Post by mauser98k on Jul 18, 2006 23:20:39 GMT -5
Yea, sizes are really screwy now. At a swap meet, I actually saw a very heavy jacket that was tagged "meant for use as a liner for the m43 jacket"
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 26, 2006 0:39:35 GMT -5
Here is a picture in a Vietnam setting that shows the ammo can/ radio conversion prop
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