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Post by soldatjakob on Apr 9, 2013 19:55:48 GMT -5
I got the new B.A.R and it is awesome. Problem is, I dont have a U.S kit. I want to put together the most generic infantry kit together possible so I can go to any event but I dont know which uniform is the best for that. The HBT or the M41 coat with the wool pants. I've done some research but I'm still confused. Any help would be appreciated.
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Post by brownien on Apr 9, 2013 20:24:03 GMT -5
Well most generic would be the wool shirt and trousers with M41 jacket, but the HBT Jacket and trousers were being used by some units at D-day. HBT garments were usually worn over the standard wools to take the brunt of any wear and tear. All troops were issued wool uniforms but some wore the HBT's overtop for more warmth/protection. IMO go with the Wools with the M41. Besides that, you will need: -Gaitors -M1 helmet -M1928 haversack -M1936 BAR Belt -M1936 canteen w/cup&cover
This is the very basics to get started. some other nice touches would be: -M1910 shovel w/cover -First aid Pouch -M3 fighting knife w/ M6 sheath (TheFieldWerks.com has great rubber M3 replicas) -Meat can Pouch w/mess kit -Roughout Boots
Lastly the M43 garments can also be used, but by using mostly early war type gear, you can look accurate at mostly all events. You may want to get a M43 jacket (or a couple of Late War items) to suppliment your kit when doing late war events. Late war US kits were similar to Late war German kits in that many different items would be worn together (like M43 jacket with wool trousers and gaitors, or M41 jacket, HBT trousers and double buckle boots).
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Post by soldatjakob on Apr 9, 2013 21:43:05 GMT -5
Cool, thanks! SO far I have a helmet, canteen/cover, and leggings. My BAR belt is on the way. I also need to decide on a unit, but that will require some research.
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Apr 10, 2013 17:53:58 GMT -5
I always liked the 1st and 66th Infantry. The 66th is more late war though.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 10, 2013 18:49:54 GMT -5
Since patches were often removed during campaigns and rank insignia likewise pulled off, a simple genetic, tattered uniform would really be best. Few units had helmet insignia of any kind so again it's easy to keep things simple. A steel pot (typically with net cover) is a nice touch and a tattered and stained M41 with leggings will provide the most significant focal points. To keep costs really low and still get by. Peruse thrift shops for some suade low quarters or doc martin type brown boots, a pair of wool trousers in the right shade and an appropriate looking two pocket buttoned shirt with free collar also in the right shade and with your web gear and sufficient grime you'll look quite convincing at 10 feet. Most people won't see past that mother of a BAR!
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Apr 11, 2013 18:47:47 GMT -5
Many times troops would paint their insignia on their helmets for identification, but some removed theirs(especially officers) to prevent their being targeted by snipers, so the choice is yours. And 2nd Bat, he might want to wear a liner with that steel pot.
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Post by volkssturm on Apr 11, 2013 20:57:23 GMT -5
Just happened to think, the movie "Miracle at Saint Anna," kind of so-so overall, but the costume department did a really good job of depicting late war GI's with a mixture of early and late war uniform items.
Don't overlook the M1942 HBT uniform. Covers most of the war and would be appropriate for the Pacific as well.
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Post by soldatjakob on Apr 17, 2013 16:44:11 GMT -5
I got an M41 jacket and a set of HBT pants, I looked through alot of pictures and that seemed pretty common.
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roadwarrior
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Post by roadwarrior on Apr 30, 2013 20:08:31 GMT -5
^ Yeah that's what I usually run, I also like the 1936 Combat suspenders over the Haversack.
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Post by thunderw21 on Jan 28, 2014 15:36:29 GMT -5
This thread is somewhat old but this info would be helpful to anyone with the same dilemma. Depending upon which unit you are portraying, either wools or HBTs will be fine. Remember, HBTs were designed to be and were often worn over wools. Some units like the 1st ID did not often use HBTs (in Normandy) while others like the 29th ID did. It all depends on which unit you portray. As for the haversack or musette bag, the haversack was the most common and most basic pack used. We all like to use the musette bag and M1936 suspenders because they are more comfortable and more useful, but they were not used as widespread as we might like to think. Officers and mechanized units (armored, airborne, etc.) were issued the M1936 gear while others used it if they could get their hands on it. So the most accurate route to go would likely be the M1910 or M1928 haversack. They were monstrocities of design but likely most accurate for your needs. I've attached two photos of what the most basic infantryman in the ETO would look like circa June/July/August 1944. This same kit was even used through to the end of the war, though became less common as the M1943 uniform made its appearance in September 1944. List, top to bottom: *M-1 helmet (The one shown is a front seam, swivel bale example that made its appearance towards the later part of the war. Frankly, I have no issue with using even a post-war M-1 helmet as long as it has the correct texture, paint, and chinstraps) *ATF M-41 jacket *Repro HBTs from the filming of 'Saving Private Ryan'. As mentioned above, you can either use HBTs or wools depending on the unit you're portraying. *M1928 haversack with meatcan pouch. *M1918 cartridge belt. For your uses replace this with the M1937 or earlier version BAR belt. (Surplus WW1 gear was often used in WW2) *M1942 first aid kit *M1910 canteen and cover (Again, surplus WW1 gear was often used in WW2) *M1943 entrenching tool and cover (The T-handle tool and cover could also be used) *M1938 dismounted leggings *Roughout boots. You can find these multiple places but ATF and WW2 Impressions carry the best from what I hear. Mine are boots I converted from 1950s French 'double buckle' boots about 10 years ago. I cut the cuffs off the top of the boots as well as the tread from the soles. Of course there were all sorts of varieties of infantrymen in the ETO as the war went on. The above photos give you a good basic foundation from where to begin. Looking at original photos you'll see troops using all sorts of combinations of uniforms and webgear. Troops sometimes threw out their haversack or cut the haversack from the suspenders in favor of the light weight gasmask bag, M1 ammo bag, spare magazine bags and the like, but these were the exception and not the rule. In reenacting (and hopefully historical airsoft) we tend to follow the rule rather than the exception. Hopefully this has given you somewhere to start.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 28, 2014 20:15:48 GMT -5
The pockets on your wool trousers are interesting. I didn't realize the serge trousers sported field pockets? The look is representative of the most universal look for American GIs in the European or Medditteranean Theater. Nice job. In looking again it appears your trousers are OD HBT field pants which would explain the pockets.
Unlike other belligerants the US allowed fairly wide variables in terms of uniformity but your depiction is very typical.
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