Navy Doc
Private
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Posts: 38
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Post by Navy Doc on Jun 1, 2016 9:30:30 GMT -5
I've run into a handful of women who seemed interested in WWII reenacting, but not so much the airsoft side of things. I'd love to put together some female-specific, non-combatant loaner kits for women who may want to give the reenactment thing a try.
I'm uncertain where to start, though. I already know of the WACS, WAVES and Army Nurse Corps, but I also want other Allied and Axis impressions to balance things out.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jun 1, 2016 16:12:12 GMT -5
I think Female Nurses of any side is a safe bet. Simpler outfits and probably cheaper to gather.
Also, look into the clothing and fashion of the time. 30's and 40's French and German civilian stuff. Think like Sound of Music. We mainly do Western Front, most civilians either side ran into were from small villages, farmers, Sisters. Think about what they wore. I know its not a "uniform" but its something to think about and look into, and maybe even get female civilians into the scenario as actresses. I think would easier to be period correct and probably cheaper since its not getting all stitch knot-see with the uniforms.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 1, 2016 21:09:58 GMT -5
French resistance had many female combatants as did other occupied countries. In the Russian Army females in uniform with frontline combat roles was not uncommon at all. We have had costumed female role players at events and they add alot. Typically the young ladies who participate enjoy the attention.
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Navy Doc
Private
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Posts: 38
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Post by Navy Doc on Jun 21, 2016 12:26:59 GMT -5
French resistance had many female combatants as did other occupied countries. In the Russian Army females in uniform with frontline combat roles was not uncommon at all. We have had costumed female role players at events and they add alot. Typically the young ladies who participate enjoy the attention. It is fun! But so far every event I've been to, I'm the only female. I figure that puts me in a unique position to try and recruit more women. What were the more common roles of the women you've played with?
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Navy Doc
Private
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Posts: 38
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Post by Navy Doc on Jun 21, 2016 12:57:48 GMT -5
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jun 22, 2016 10:08:08 GMT -5
And this is why I sew things, haha.
Only way this would be cheap and accurate is if you picked up sewing yourself and started to make them yourself. I can't be available to make a whole other line of uniforms, unfortunately.
The other way of being cheap, but significantly less accurate, is to save images of the uniforms on your phone and bring them up when you are out shopping, especially at thrift stores. One good reason to have a smart phone, I do this all the time. You might not find service uniforms, but I'm sure you will eventually find skirts in the color you need.
Also, it should be well noted that in a lot of field or hands on work, women did wear a lot of their country's male uniform pieces. May not be as flattering as a skirt and tailored uniform jacket, but its what they wore and its out there.
But to be honest, and if I was you, and wanted to go really cheap, I'd get more of those French blue Ike jackets style blouses (like the ones I got you for your Flakhelferin) and get navy blue trousers from thrift stores to go with them. Leave them insignia-less, and have them ready to go for both German Flakhelferin and Commonwealth WAAF. Outside of caps and insignia, those two parts are relatively the same for both countries (as the Germans took the design).
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 11, 2016 7:51:45 GMT -5
I had a little Nic Cage marathon this past weekend and Windtalkers was one of them. This thread instantly struck me during the early hospital scene. Where Frances O'Connor's character was a WAVES corpsman, and was wearing a simple blue skirt, white short sleeve button up with tie, piss cover, and basic insignia.
I decided to look into it more and came across this:
WAVES Work Attire
(also, the main site, as plenty of info on the specific uniform pieces and general females in the war).
Real simple and rather basic uniform. Sewing up the skirts would be easy, even for a beginner to sewing, and skirt patterns are common place (somewhere on the site mention it being a "six panel" skirt I believe).
Or, if you want to just thrift store it, just get some navy blue A-line skirts and white button ups. Insignia would need to be bought elsewhere, and covers and ties would have to be bought or made.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 16, 2016 0:47:08 GMT -5
Found an awesome WW2 era WAC M43 field jacket (woman's size 12). The woman's jacket is almost identical to the men's with a few subtle differences. The buttons are on the opposite side and the great pockets have flaps but are otherwise hidden.
WAC field clothing is very unusual. I found it in a thrift shop. It was issued but apparently not worn much. (A 9:out of 10). Probably a nurse.
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Post by brownien on Dec 17, 2016 20:05:59 GMT -5
Another option, although slightly more obscure, would be OSS agent. There are several photo references of female Jedburgh jumpers that dropped in with several FLY teams. Most of their uniforms are of Free French Forces and British Forces.
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