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Post by vadmscheer on Apr 17, 2011 16:13:46 GMT -5
I looked around for an into thread; seeing none, I'm using this as my intro: My name's Bob, I'm on the vietnam airsoft forum as "tomcatter.bob". I'm a NROTC student at Virginia Tech and I live in Durham, NC during the summer. I've had the standard cyma thompson for about 2 years now but really only been interested in Vietnam reenacting. But fortune thrust a set of wool OD pants and shirt into my lap when I bought a box of Vietnam era webgear...so now I'm trying to decide whether to really get into WWII reenacting or to sell the ODs. I have a lot of early war (vietnam) web gear, some of which I hear was left over from WWII. I also have an M1 helmet and (randomly enough) a WWI style helmet as well. If I do get into reenacting, I realize the scope of the second world war is such that there are literally hundreds of different kits from all theaters and years of the war; I'm more interested in either an American North Africa kit or an American european theater kit; possibly Italy or France mid 1944. I like to think I could draw inspiration from Kelly's Heroes...its one of my favorite movies of all time. So please give me advice, guidance or suggestions; I'm still borderlining on whether I want to get into another era of reenacting; feel free to try to persuade me into this.
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Sgt_Tom
Technical Sgt.
Combat!
Posts: 3,580
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Post by Sgt_Tom on Apr 17, 2011 17:48:12 GMT -5
Well I would suggest doing which ever you are more interested in. You could also do both if you have the money and time. Anyways, Italy and France of 1944 is a good starting kit as its what most events are based on. Its not really suggested that one bases their impression off of a movie. However a Big Joe or Pvt. Kelly impression would work for a 1944 impression, for the most part. But yea if you wanted to do it Kelly's Heroes Style you'd be going with a leg infantry impression. Basicly you'd need: OD Wool Shirt and Pants Jacket either M41, M43, or Tanker/Officer M43 Buckle Boots M1 Helmet Pistol Belt First Aid pouch Canteen For a Thompson you'd also want to get a 5 cell ammo pouch or GP(General Purpose Bag) for your Thompson mags. If you want a colt 45 pistol you'd also need a brown 45 holster, and ammo pouch.
Hope that helps.
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Post by Fusilier on Apr 18, 2011 16:10:27 GMT -5
Yeah,please don't base any impression off a movie! As much as I like Kelly's Heroes,that movie is rife with wrong uniform items and equipment! Read books,Google period images,and ask questions. Too many reenactors turn to Hollywood for their impressions,and it shows! Don't be THAT guy!
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Post by vadmscheer on Apr 18, 2011 16:29:44 GMT -5
thanks for the advice guys...of course I know better than to use the movie as a reference lol. Like I said, I'm drawing inspiration from the movie; I think many reenactors can relate (I'm looking at you, sgttom; I see your Combat! pic lol). The list was helpful, I've been looking and I seem to have some of this equipment from my 'Nam kit (its an early Marine impression so lots of WWII left over goodies). I may end up being able to field my WWII kit earlier than I thought. The only item I have questions about is the pistol belt....most of the ones I've found have been specific to one weapon, ie M1 garand belt, BAR belt, officer's pistol belt...what about the thompson? It also occurs to me, what all do I need to modify my vietnam era M1 helmet so it will look WWII?
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Post by CharleyNovember on Apr 18, 2011 17:08:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the board. If you already have a lot of the equipmet then there is not a whole lot left to do on your WW2 impression. There are several WW2 events up and down the eastcoast. Some have strict standards of authenticity some have less strict standards. However even if you choose to attend a strict event and you don't have everything for your impression a lot of the times others that are better equipped and have extras can help you out. Nothing wrong with less strict events either and both can and are fun. I am running an event in the fall in Athens GA. Should be fun come on down. There is an event in the NE for DDay you can find those details in the NE section. Should be a great time as well. You can get a pistol belt and attach Thompson mag cells to it or you can use a GP bag/ mag bag for your tommy. You can find a lot of good info on the helmets here: www.toppots.net/main.php?do=clientsitecontent&action=home&link_id=140
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on Apr 18, 2011 17:20:14 GMT -5
Welcome aboard man. The Officer belt is just the standard M36 pistol belt , so when you find one that says officer belt ,that's the one you want , they weren't just for Officers
And there is nothing wrong with having a "Hollywood" impression . I myself have a bunch of them , put them together at the same time i was putting together my other PERIOD CORRECT impressions.
What items do you have from your Early Vietnam kit? We can tell you for sure if they are correct or close enough.
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Sgt_Tom
Technical Sgt.
Combat!
Posts: 3,580
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Post by Sgt_Tom on Apr 18, 2011 17:41:00 GMT -5
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