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Post by neoptolemus on Aug 30, 2006 23:41:30 GMT -5
While I don't do any WWII reenacting, I am an avid airsoft player and WWII modeller (sounds pretty lame ehh? ;D) and I am looking to create an airsofting impression for a late war Heer landser with in a tight budget, as I have spend every penny I have on buying modern Russian items. I already own a splinter B zeltbahn, and I like the use of it as a camo smock with load bearing gear on top of it. However, I am not sure exactly what uniform, footwear, and field gear I should get. I live in the midwest and so the summers are hot, too hot for wool. I have read that shortages in leather led to issue of ankle boots with gaiters as opposed to the earlier jack boots, and so I would like to incorporate that into the impression as well. Finally, since I have an AK-74M, I need to use Mp44 pouches to hold the magazines. Everything else is really up in the air. Any suggestions?
JK
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Post by CharleyNovember on Aug 31, 2006 0:05:58 GMT -5
German Green HBT uniform should be cool enough for you and shouldn't break the bank.
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Post by baconandeggs on Aug 31, 2006 5:29:43 GMT -5
Sounds very good, Neoptolemus. You sound like me!
I second AADan's recommendation of the Reed Green HBT set, either M40 or M43.
Repro MP-44 pouches fit AK airsoft magazines, although it's a little tight the first time. The canvas conforms to the magazine after a bit.
You're quite right, ankle boots with canvas gaiters were fairly common after 1942. The gaiters are easy to come by (repros, BGS, even British ones...many from captured stocks following Dunkirk were reused by the Heer, old Belgian are good, too ), but good repro ankle boots cost a pretty penny. Perhaps a more economical substitute, since you're not doing any reeenacting.
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Post by baconandeggs on Aug 31, 2006 7:03:33 GMT -5
To follow, postwar Swedish ankleboots are not a bad choice for non-reenactors, they're available, inexpensive, comfortable, and passable, depending on who/where you plan to play.
By '45, pretty much anything left in the warehouse was being issued out, so you've picked a very forgiving timeframe.
Look on ebay for seller Panzerfaust1943, and pick up an HBT tunic and pants from him. They're made in the far east, but very nicely made, especially for the price ($150 for the set). Do not make the mistake I did and order a size too large (thinking they'd run small), they fit true to size.
Postwar BGS (FJ/Luftwaffe/Police/noncombatant style) suspenders should be fine, I note from your other post that you have these already.
The next items to hunt for are a belt and buckle (you don't mention whether you have one or not yet) and breadbag (postwar one are identical and cheap, if you can find them, nice repros can be had for under $30). As soldiers usually threw away their gasmask and used the cannister for rations, personals, and such, I'd skip it for now.
That's pretty much it, except perhaps for a helmet.
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
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Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Aug 31, 2006 12:56:28 GMT -5
yeah thats pretty much what you would need to start a good impression with. hey a lot of us do ww2 models (i prefer tamiyas military miniatures) so dont feel wierd bout it. this might have been mentioned before but a cheaper alternative to a helmet would be a field cap. also a canteen would make a nice addition but you could probably get away with out one for a while
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Post by Jager.Drü on Aug 31, 2006 13:02:57 GMT -5
you can get swiss canteens off ebay for cheap.
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Post by baconandeggs on Aug 31, 2006 14:35:13 GMT -5
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Post by neoptolemus on Sept 1, 2006 8:52:48 GMT -5
thanks, I am definitely thinking of adding a bread bag and a gask mask container to my field gear set up (although I am unsure of whether gasmask containers would be isssued that late in the war). I will probably getting a helmet later on, but for now I am content with the wool field cap I have as head gear. I have also looked into the swedish ankle boots and they appear to be a good alternative for more expensive reproductions since the impression I am going for is not reenactment but rather for normal airsoft games.
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