|
Post by OwO Jima on Dec 17, 2014 4:48:26 GMT -5
I would strongly recommend wools over HBTs - it was the main uniform for our boys in the ETO. I won't say that HBTs weren't worn on their own, but it was more common to see them over the wools. Also, seeing as you already do Vietnam, if it's so hot that you feel that wools would be unbearable you could just run your Vietnam impression. The 90th IDPG has an excellent article on HBTs in the ETO.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 18, 2014 0:49:43 GMT -5
it might take me a while to acquire the necessary amount of magazines, since I'll have to buy the BAR hicaps AND the 20rd STANAGS. exactly how bad IS the deeding on these mags? Because I also wanted to pick up a bunch of 20rd STANAGS for my 'Nam impression, and I didn't plan on cutting them up and stickig them inside BAR mag shells...
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 18, 2014 0:56:56 GMT -5
I would strongly recommend wools over HBTs - it was the main uniform for our boys in the ETO. I won't say that HBTs weren't worn on their own, but it was more common to see them over the wools. Also, seeing as you already do Vietnam, if it's so hot that you feel that wools would be unbearable you could just run your Vietnam impression. The 90th IDPG has an excellent article on HBTs in the ETO. Is that you, Hippie? XD
|
|
|
Post by OwO Jima on Dec 18, 2014 5:10:58 GMT -5
The standard mags feed fine, but the feed tube is only long enough for about 20 rounds. Midcaps are definitely more convenient, but converting the highcaps doubles the cost of filling the BAR belt. And yes, it's me - I finally took the plunge and began WWII.
|
|
Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Dec 18, 2014 11:45:56 GMT -5
Feeding with hicaps is like trying to chop down an iron I beam with an axe, its just not going to work.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 18, 2014 13:53:18 GMT -5
Alright, I'll try to get the required amount of mags. 12 mags costing $17 each is gonna take a bit for me to acquire though. Even longer since I need to buy about 20 of the 20rd STANAGS. (some for my VN impression, and 12 for the BAR mags)
And good to see a familiar face, Hippie!
|
|
|
Post by OwO Jima on Dec 18, 2014 16:27:54 GMT -5
Feeding with hicaps is like trying to chop down an iron I beam with an axe, its just not going to work. I haven't had any problems with mine, operation wise, but winding the mag every twenty rounds from while carrying a fifeteen pound weapon is terribly inconvenient. Maybe I got a good mag? Also good to see you here as well. I know for sure that 2nd Bat here is REMF on VNAS.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 17:01:49 GMT -5
Feeding with hicaps is like trying to chop down an iron I beam with an axe, its just not going to work. I haven't had any problems with mine, operation wise, but winding the mag every twenty rounds from while carrying a fifeteen pound weapon is terribly inconvenient. Maybe I got a good mag? Also good to see you here as well. I know for sure that 2nd Bat here is REMF on VNAS. But Hippie. The way hicaps work, When you wind them, the spring tension increases, and even though you stop winding, the spring tention in the mag makes it wind itself until there's no more tension. Do you mean that the spring tension is only great enough to push 20bbs up the feed tube before it releases all the tension?
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 17:14:51 GMT -5
I'm also wondering how common it was for infantry to use the Musette bag, as it's cheaper, and seems a LOT more practical XD
|
|
Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Dec 21, 2014 17:14:59 GMT -5
How should I put this...
When you wind the hicap, it puts tension on a spring yes, but it also pushes BBs up into hopup. After those 20rds, it doesn't loose tension, 20rds is all that it can push up at a time. When that runs out and you wind more, you are only really winding BBs to be pushed up. Tension also as to do with how many BBs you have in the main reservoir. Once you start running low on BB's, you will hear the hicap just release the tension, and it will make a sound like a bunch of BBs being forced out of something. Even though there are BBs in there, the HiCap won't function. You'll also notice that no matter how many times you wind at that point, you won't feel the tension.
OH! And if you wind them too much, you start getting double and triple feeds.
As you see, HiCaps are over complicated pieces of equipment. No one really knows why they are still being made, especially since most midcaps offer 100+ rds. LUCKILY, I've been noticing more and more companies releasing guns with stock midcaps. I just wish all the WWII companies would follow that as well.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 17:47:23 GMT -5
Well I gues I'll convert them to midcaps, but like I said, it'll take a while.
Would it be correct to use a musette bag? on ATF, they said the infantry sometimes used them, as the haversack was very impractical. Also, they're cheaper. XD
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 21, 2014 17:53:53 GMT -5
The mussette bag was very popular with regular Infantry albeit less common than the horrid day pack. It is also a pack that would transend WW2 and Nam as I occassionally saw mussette bags in Nam but of course never remember seeing the haversack.
Once converted you will not be able to use the shorter M16 mags for namsofting as to be inserted in the outer shell of your BAR mags you'll have to gouge out a channel along both sides of the M16 mag shell. My recommendation is buy the group pack and convert half of them and keep the others for nmsofting.
I find that six converted mid cap magazines per BAR and a couple speed loaders is more than tactically sound for a BAR gunner.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 18:01:59 GMT -5
The mussette bag was very popular with regular Infantry albeit less common than the horrid day pack. It is also a pack that would transend WW2 and Nam as I occassionally saw mussette bags in Nam but of course never remember seeing the haversack. Once converted you will not be able to use the shorter M16 mags for namsofting as to be inserted in the outer shell of your BAR mags you'll have to gouge out a channel along both sides of the M16 mag shell. My recommendation is buy the group pack and convert half of them and keep the others for nmsofting. I find that six converted mid cap magazines per BAR and a couple speed loaders is more than tactically sound for a BAR gunner. Alright, So do I NEED an E tool, or can I go with JUSt a BAAR belt, suspenders, Musette bag, canteen, bandage pouch, and uniform?
|
|
Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Dec 21, 2014 18:10:58 GMT -5
You don't NEED an e-tool for the basic impression. Its nice to have for a complete look, but you only will be able to wear it for WWII games. A lot of, hell, most fields out there won't allow it on the field.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 18:12:38 GMT -5
well I think my field is okay with it. My brother didn't get in trouble for carrying one for his early 'Nam USMC kit (Basically the same pack/suspenders system as the WWII USMC)
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 21, 2014 21:17:38 GMT -5
An etool is by no means essential although it was a criticl piece of equipment for all front line soldiers. The late war folding shovel (patterned loosely after the German e-tool which GIs admired). Was carried by US soldiers well into the 80s so would also be an item you could use for both WW2 and Nam.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 21, 2014 23:17:31 GMT -5
Alright, I'm sorta leaning towards doing a 1944 2nd Rangers impression (I love Saving Private Ryan too much XD) If anyone would like to persuade me to do otherwise, I'm open to suggestions.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 22, 2014 2:20:39 GMT -5
I know there are some who will want to steer you to regular leg Infantry as Airborne, RANGER, Fallsimjager and SS troops are overdone but the reality is its your fantasy do what YOU want. RANGER units in WW2 were much smaller than leg units. 60 man companies instead of 200 men and with smaller squads had a much higher proportion of Sub Machine guns and BARs. these factors actually make Ranger Units more in sync weapon wise with what we see on Airsoft fields so I say go for it!
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 22, 2014 18:12:59 GMT -5
Don't worry. I'm not gonna stencil
"Brooklyn NY USA" on the back of my field jacket!
|
|
|
Post by brownien on Dec 22, 2014 18:51:12 GMT -5
Heck, why not? I did a "Kilroy Was Here" on the back of my M41 in charcoal.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 22, 2014 20:12:40 GMT -5
Maybe I'll write "What, me worry?" on the back of mine. Was that around back then? XD
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 22, 2014 21:49:47 GMT -5
No. That was MAD Magazine from the 60s.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 22, 2014 22:52:47 GMT -5
oh well. Gotta find some other iconic phrase or something to put SOMEWHERE on my gear.
|
|
stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
|
Post by stuka on Dec 23, 2014 0:29:00 GMT -5
or you could not =P
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 23, 2014 0:39:55 GMT -5
Well if i don't, I'll go insane. Honestly, you should see my Mitchell helmet cover
|
|
stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
|
Post by stuka on Dec 23, 2014 3:12:02 GMT -5
It's hard to think of what you can write on there perhaps a nickname? Or off to kill Fritz?
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 23, 2014 3:55:50 GMT -5
Graffiti for the American Army wasn't commonplace at all in WW2 other than hometowns on the occassional jackets and Killroy. slogans painted on walls was very much a Nazi thing.
|
|
|
Post by aldenlulamoon on Dec 23, 2014 4:18:43 GMT -5
What if I stenciled my name on the flap of the musette bag? it seems like a practical thing to do.
|
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Dec 23, 2014 10:48:56 GMT -5
That I think was actually regulation to do (first letter of last name and serial number) so it's by all means ok and a nice touch.
|
|
|
Post by patrickl29th on Dec 23, 2014 12:58:48 GMT -5
I would recommend a e tool, though we don't use it that much in airsoft, almost every ww2 pic of a US infantry has either a m43 etool carrier that attached to your ammo belt or a t shovel on the haversack.
|
|