Is a Zeltbahn Really Worth It?

[customairsoftweap]

I know that many of you have Zeltbahns in your kit and since I am purchasing the different pieces of my uniform and kit I have been thinking about getting one too; but is a Zeltbahn really worth the money?
Zeltbahns are a signature piece of German equipment of the war and they are seen on almost every single soldier's A-frame or as a Shelter, so there is no doubt in my mind that it is a good piece to have that can make or break your "look". However, besides from that, what are you using it for? I can't imagine that many of you are using your Zeltbahns for shelters or ponchos because I have never seen any videos or photographs of them.
So is it really all for looks or are you really using them?

[poacher]

Are you talking about modern video and photographs or period?
It was the issue kit for personal weatherproofing and camouflage.
I dont know the weather in MO but if it rains, get a zelt.
If it's really sunny get a zelt and some poles and shelter from the sun.
If you sleep over at games, get 4 or if you are over 6'2" get 8 and make a tent.
Better still is to get 4 and find a buddy with 4 and share the heat and the space that an 8 zelt tent gives you.
I use them as a tent and as personal weather proofing. They are a great bit of kit.
All that aside, you should have one as PPE.

[gadge]

I've used mine in a couple of battles and it was damn useful tbh.

First event i did in axis kit as a two day 'in the field, no stops' event called Churchils Revenge and it rained non stop all weekend and I was *very* glad I had mine (helps to water proof treat them first too...)

Me in mine

Matt in his



Some others in theirs....

[gadge]

So as you can see, dead useful and in use in battles.

They were just the first few pics i could find, i've dozens more of guys battling in zelts.

[ww2kid]

While we're on the topic of gear for newbies (newbie I am) what would be the most essential piece of gear after tunic, helmet, trousers, boots, and belt/buckle? I can really only afford one piece every month or two after buying the aforementioned.

I was thinking a bread bag would be good for holding spare ammo and other miscellaneous items until I can afford the MP44 pouches.

But a canteen is also very important I was hoping you could use your experience to offer advice to this aspiring youngster ;D

[customairsoftweap]

I would save you money until you could get your StG-44 ammunition pouches and a canteen. You would have to place your spare magazines inside of your tunic or trouser pockets in battle, which would be very uncomfortable. Better yet, save up your money and purchase all of your field gear at once.
When I purchase my uniform ans field equipment I'm going to purchase my equipment first and save up money for the uniform itself. That way, if I can't get the money for the uniform there is nothing to grow out of.

[gadge]

Pouches, water bottle, breadbag, zelt.

Gas mask cannisters look cool and can be handy to keep stuff in but you're *never* going to need a gas mask in an event (and 1940s ones have asbestos filters - you'd be a mentallist to wear one) but they are noisy and uncomfortable... along with a real/repro bayonet and entrenching tool they fit in the 'pretty useless stuff to buy only when you've got everything else' category .

Equally mess kits look good but you'll *rarely* use it unless you're going to cook soup in the field and it makes a massive noise soldiering about on your ass....

[ww2kid]

Thank you for all of the advice. I really appreciate you taking time to help me out ;D I'll listen to what you said and get the pouches before the other field gear. Do they attach to the Y straps or to the belt?

[customairsoftweap]

The ammunition pouches attach to the belt. Here is a picture of the back of ATF's MKb-42 ammunition pouches. The MKb-42 was a predecessor to the StG-44, but the magazine pouches for the StG-44 and MKb-42 have basically the same belt loops.

If you have any other questions about German weapons of World War One or Two and want more information than what Wikipedia can give you just send me a PM.

Attachments:

[ww2kid]

Thanks. I imagine I'll have more questions once I start trying to put my gear together

[gadge]

They attach to *both* actually.

The pouches are looped through the belt but with full magazines you need to attach the D rings at the top of the reverse to your belt. It's not such a big deal with airsoft but full pouch of real magazines is fairly unstable sliding around unsupported on a belt.

[gadge]

But then you're still carrying around something you're probably *never* going to use that gets in the way and even if stuffed up its still going to clank about when you bash into anything.

It's one of those things that soldiers going into an assault would drop and come back for later if they could. I mean an East German lookalike is cheap enough but its still a bit of a waste of money and best left til later.