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Post by schmitty on Sept 22, 2005 11:41:45 GMT -5
[ftp]http://www.evergreenairsoft.org/bulletinboard/viewtopic.php?p=6873#6873[/ftp]
Schmitty
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silencer
Private 1st Class
Spartan by blood
Posts: 407
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Post by silencer on Oct 6, 2005 19:03:22 GMT -5
where in the NW are you guys located?
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Post by schmitty on Oct 11, 2005 10:43:46 GMT -5
About 30 miles N. of Seattle WA.
Schmitty
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 21, 2005 0:36:22 GMT -5
The battle of the Bulge Game in Dec in the NW could shape up to be the largest WW2 airsoft event in the US so far as there will be vehicles and costume props available (thanks to the sponsor) for literally dozens of players. We are hoping to gain support from the friends of Willie and Joe and the 82nd Airborne association along with members of the Mil Vehicle Preservation Society. These local reenactors have excellent impressions and historically accurate gear. Maybe by loaning them airsoft weapons we can hook them into our version of reenacting!
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 28, 2005 23:30:03 GMT -5
The date is Sunday the 11th of December. Folks wanting to come in saturday will be accomodated (probably put to work!) Information about the event Cost, rental gear and specifics should go to battlesim.com
The local Fallsimjager (reenactment) unit will be the catalyst for the opfor. There will undoubtedly be 40 plus players I would estimate.
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 1, 2005 23:05:13 GMT -5
Update: 1 Dec 2005. Enrollements seem to be taking off and turnout barring restrictive weather or unforseen challenges should be excellent. There will be plenty of photographers on hand. They will be required to be in period uniforms as well. It's shaping up to be a very impressive event. Unusual for the winter months for airsoft.
It'll be a great set up for what will undoubtedly be a Normandy Event in the Spring or Summer!
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Post by 2nd bat on Dec 9, 2005 19:55:48 GMT -5
Weather prediction is exceptional. Cold but clear and dry. Early morning fog perhaps. (That'd be ideal!) Period dress should keep everyone sufficiently comfortable for what should be an excellent event. Pictures to follow! Wish you could all be there!
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 12, 2005 0:12:38 GMT -5
The event went off better then I expected and the impressions were way better then even my wildest hope. (very few disappointements and they were minor) Great game play and lots of pictures taken. My Garand has many new notches
Schmitties MGs were extremely impressive. Look great and incredible rates of fire. They were certainly force multipliers.
Seeing Germans at a distance hunched and hustling across an open area lugging a MG and couple ammo cans was very impressive.
The checkpoint scenario and attack on the 88 position were perhaps the most impressive part of the day.
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Post by schmitty on Dec 12, 2005 10:57:46 GMT -5
This was a great event and a big step forward for WW2 AS in our area. Turn out was good considering it was a very cold day. Pictures to follow.
Schmitty
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Post by Guinness on Dec 12, 2005 19:54:29 GMT -5
2ndBat, Schmitty, I read John's preliminary 'after-action' report- great stuff!! I have a question though- the shots that John took, the G.I.s in the columns and the two soldiers crossing the road- (God I want one of those wool overcoats BTW ) as well as the pic of the Germans- I only saw one face mask/shield- what were the rules there- none required? were they wearing glasses I couldn't make out? or were they in a part of the field that did not require protection? I am going to go to the battlesim site and see if they have any information about minimum engage distances, etc. Thanks for sharing all this with us you guys! -G
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Post by Hellmutt on Dec 12, 2005 22:02:45 GMT -5
The photos that John sent out were from before the game started so no one had their eye protection on. Hellmutt - www.battlesim.com
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Post by 2nd bat on Dec 12, 2005 23:03:03 GMT -5
We spent a bit of time prior to all the people arriving and while people were chrono'ing to take posed shots. Here are a few shots with more to follow. There was a professional photographer during the event so of course you'll see eye and face protection there. Road march A few of the Krauts GI's above the valley floor I didn't get pictures late in the event and have only a few of the Germans Incidently the full length wool coats are one of the cheapest actual clothing items you can find. I got both of mine in perfect shape for less then $20.00 a piece. It seems grandpa hung onto them in large numbers and there has thus far not been a market for them. The challenge as always is finding larger sizes. To be fully authentic for the battle of the bulge I should cut them down as by that time in the war most frontline troops did so to prevent being mistaken for a German. I could then use the left over fabric for scarves or shoulder padding for web gear. Both of mine are a little too nice to do that to. 2nd bat Out --
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Post by Guinness on Dec 13, 2005 0:10:08 GMT -5
Great tip- I have been watching out on eBay for them but like you said- the US Army must have made mostly 38 regulars! If you see any around in your 'travels' let me know- I'm looking for 'hefty size' 42 reg -G
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Post by troy Luginbill on Dec 13, 2005 0:49:09 GMT -5
Hello,
Am here in Whatcom County wishing I could have attended. Started as a reenactor, began getting the airsoft guns that Washington won't let you own (and for a lot cheaper). Is there anyone in Whatcom Skagit that would like to start a unit. I am geared for both ETO and PTO (china Marines)
Troy
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 13, 2005 0:52:31 GMT -5
The average chest size for an american GI at the beginning of the war was a 34! By wars end it went way up to a 36!! Guys were both young, small and skinny following the depression. That's why most of what you see around are so small. Also after the war the larger sizes fit folks in prosperous america and thus got worn and then worn out.
42 Reg in a wool coat will be a little tough but they ran very large as they were designed to wear over a shirt, sweater and field jacket which itself was sized quite large. A 38 might actually fit you but not over a field jacket and sweater. The real challenge if you buy from Ebay is like all things Ebay, you'll "win" the bid by paying more then anyone in the world! Also you'll pay shipping and those coats were incredibly heavy. I got mine in a local thrift shop and a gun show.
I also found a couple great Mackinaw coats. One with the pre-war wool collar actually fits me (Size 42) I wore it during the event and it was very comfortable. I moved the buttons on the other but I've since put on more weight so it's a little tight. They were the double brested tan and OD coats sometimes called Jeep jackets.
They had a thicker inside wool lining so were quite a bit more comfortable then the field jackets when it got cold. (Like this weekend!) Another popular item this weekend were tanker jackets as a couple guys had them.
Since you're a 42 I should see what I might have that's redundant to me and see if anything interest you.
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Post by Guinness on Dec 13, 2005 1:03:16 GMT -5
Thanks John! I have actually been looking at the Jeep coats almost got one for $15 bucks on eBay the other day- Actually this whole chase for uniform gear has helped me decide it's time to lose my gut- so I have been looking for the 42 just to make sure I could squeeze into it w/o losing any of my good 'livin Roman is wearing my M65, which I was surprised to realize is a small short.....so yeah.....this whole airsoft thing will be an excuse to shed some tonnage- -G
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Post by 2nd bat on Dec 13, 2005 16:08:06 GMT -5
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Post by Guinness on Dec 13, 2005 19:18:44 GMT -5
Now I'm starting to get upset....... because you guys know how to do WWII right!! And it's really just getting off the ground here in Colorado (No offense Jonathon, but you know it's true ) One of the members has proposed a Saving Private Ryan-esque scenario for June, over 6th months away, and there has already been a "I say we over-rule the WWII clothes and equip requirement" ....sheesh But we will get there, I am going to post these pics (With your permission as always) in that thread and say "Here is why you dress in WWII gear....because it's friggin cool!" Thanks for the pics John!! BTW, is that your m1919a6 I see there?? ....and ok, I couldnt resist.... img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/AlvarezPhoto/GIsBoB3b.png-G
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savoy6
Private 1st Class
Posts: 428
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Post by savoy6 on Dec 13, 2005 21:28:55 GMT -5
hey ,do i see a fellow ghost unit(FUSAG) out there..? great pics guys....looks like a fun event. ;D
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Post by Gordak on Dec 13, 2005 23:41:40 GMT -5
AWESOME!, you guys need some Krauts, Im 3k miles away -Gordak
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 16, 2005 4:44:24 GMT -5
I'd love it if eventually organized units Allied and Axis formed locally. Maybe we'll have a national event somewhere and all fly to it.
I bought the tunic some years ago with the captain bars and airborne wing embroidered on. (I thought that was kinda cool and they are nicely done) The blue parachute division patch and airborne tab were on already and I absolutely didn't recognize the unit. I wondered if it was ghost unit. If so and real I suspect it's a fairly rare and valuable patch?
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Post by Guinness on Dec 16, 2005 7:05:05 GMT -5
John,
Did you say that those mesh masks were available for sale?
The norm here is the full face paintball masks which really make using sights impossible- I'm thinking about just detaching the ski goggles from the face mask, but I'm just looking for alternatives.
I got the ansi rated shooting glasses, but locally they require eye protectection to have no gaps-
-G
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Post by 2nd bat on Dec 17, 2005 11:33:46 GMT -5
My son sells them for $65.00 a piece. There are a variety of characters available. Shown above is "The Brit" and "Partisan" There's a skinny mustached, 40s man, Asian characters, There are also more generic looking faces.
The mesh is very comfortable, light weight, doesn't fog up or reflect light and looks quite discrete at a distance while giving great eye and face protection. The materials alone cost $25.00 (Mesh is $15.00 a square foot) and they are very labor intense. One of the cool realizations is the the eyebrows and the brow ridge molded in are actually functional as they shade the mesh reflection when facing into the light.
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Post by Hellmutt on Dec 20, 2005 14:12:38 GMT -5
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 20, 2005 21:08:54 GMT -5
Nice to see some additional pictures from the event. The garnished helmets were more Normandy then Ardennes but we'll go with it. Perfect for our Carentan game in the spring!
I really liked the variety of uniforms worn by both the Germans and the US. The Germans ranged from regular Wermach to SS and Fallsimjagers. Both splinter and dot camoflage were seen during the game. It'd be cool to have taken full body individual shots of all the impressions
The M-42 jump suit to the Left of the SS Oberst looked pretty good (pathfinder?) with it's heavily washed light shade and OD splotches. (D-Day look) The Ranger to the right with the Thompson was perfect with his HBT field pants, leggings, M-41, scarf and netted steel pot. I Like the Khaki Jeep jacket as a nice departure from the M-42s and M-41s. Of course the M-43s and long wool coats were right for the Ardennes and made alot of sense in the cold weather as did the tanker jackets. I saw at least three guys in tanker jackets there during the event but only see one in this picture.
What a great time. I can't wait till our next one.
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Post by Guinness on Dec 20, 2005 23:58:03 GMT -5
Hear hear! Great pics Herr Helmutt! (or is that 'Hair Helmet' ? ;D) ...breaks the new pic rule all-to-heck, but I'm not complaining!!! I'm still going through them! And it appears that Schmitty's lovely bride was the source of some of the original pics? well done Schmitty's wife!! (pass that along eh Jason? ) It also appears that Capt. John was the star of the show! And I'm jealous because it looks like the good Cap't got to drive Schmitty's jeep? Rank has privilege huh John? -G
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Post by AADan on Dec 21, 2005 1:54:48 GMT -5
Makes me wish I was living up there or atleast able to visit. Great pics guys!
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 21, 2005 17:29:43 GMT -5
I think the fact that Schmitty knows I have a 42 Willys as well (much more of a garage queen then his) is what got me behind the wheel. I have to hand it to Schmitty as he drives it on the roads even great distances (even when it's freezing out) I have neither his courage or his capacity for pain. I'll have mine at the spring game however. I'll no doubt trailer it up. His wife is adorable and took many of the pictures I submitted.
Anyone able to visit for one our events is most welcome. I'm sure we could arrange airport pickup and everything. I'm sure our spring event will have folks coming in from other areas of the country as I've receieved lots of interest from California. We also have dozens of folks coming to our Vietnam event in August from So Cal wanting to take advantage of our access to actual Vietnam era armor (M-114s) and jungle like terrain.
We'll probably have local folks serve as NVA and VC.
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