jumpwings Posted May 14, 2012 Share #201 Posted May 14, 2012 Britain's "Ermine Street Guard"...arguably the finest of all the educational reenactment groups! Absolutely amazing, it's something I feel about earlier periods, and not in any way a criticism, but a critique, the "battles" are more realistic on the playing fields than WWII "battles" we see at events... One thing I suggested a while ago, why doesn't the commentators in WWII battles not make the statement that the would have been at night, but for the audiences participation, it's conducted during the day for theatrical effect, that would excuse the usual machine gun burst into a bunch of troops and they don't all fall down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #202 Posted May 14, 2012 Here's a basic shopping list for all wannabe 506ers! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4QPG5WLwfo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAA Posted May 14, 2012 Share #203 Posted May 14, 2012 Here's a basic shopping list for all wannabe 506ers! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4QPG5WLwfo For someone wanting to get into the hobby, not too bad a list of kit there, now add up the cost, its certainly not a cheap hobby regardless of unit portrayed. In recent months we have enlisted 3 new young guys to the group all of which have come in through the desire to represent E Company 506th, this weekend coming all will now be representing the 41st Armoured Infantry Regiment at a major show, along with their buddies in the group. If it gets new lads into groups then great, get out there, get the BOB DVD and get the basic kit. Join a good group and hopefully one with some imagination and expand your interests. The sadest part about this is a fine WWII Regiment and Divisions name is suffering now through peoples lack of interest in other units. It seems it is difficult to mention the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment without feeling bad about it! Let us remember that this was a great Division as was many others, and lets remember since the start of the year, 3 Easy Company Veterans have passed away. Do we have to continue to hero worship one Company, one Regiment and one Division, no we dont, but we can still if we want to represent them in the hobby, but if we do remember it will atract critics, so lets get it as right as we can Regards to all Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #204 Posted May 14, 2012 On the positive side, the repro kit, although relatively expensive to assemble is nowhere near the cost of equivalent original airborne items. In the pre-repro era ( early 90s) a friend of mine decided he wanted to do an airborne impression. Fortunately, he ran his own business and so was not short of disposable income. He put together a complete set of originals (which fit!) including the helmet and airborne appropriate kit such as a Griswold bag, Carbine holster and rigger pouches etc. I can't recall the exact cost, but it must've been at least a couple of thousand pounds, even at 1990s prices. So, arguably, modern reenactors have it better in that respect. I suppose the ideal set up today would be a mix of repro and original? Back then it had to be all original! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAA Posted May 14, 2012 Share #205 Posted May 14, 2012 On the positive side, the repro kit, although relatively expensive to assemble is nowhere near the cost of equivalent original airborne items. In the pre-repro era ( early 90s) a friend of mine decided he wanted to do an airborne impression. Fortunately, he ran his own business and so was not short of disposable income. He put together a complete set of originals (which fit!) including the helmet and airborne appropriate kit such as a Griswold bag, Carbine holster and rigger pouches etc. I can't recall the exact cost, but it must've been at least a couple of thousand pounds, even at 1990s prices. So, arguably, modern reenactors have it better in that respect. I suppose the ideal set up today would be a mix of repro and original? Back then it had to be all original! Hi Ian This really is not the case mate, in regards to webbing you can pick up the original stuff at sometimes cheaper than Repro prices, I always have and I have just sold some gear, all original at cheaper than SOF prices. Yes it was to help group members out, but they now have some original stuff. 3 Guys now have original parade standard wool enlisted shirts on their backs over half the price of a repro fluffy wool thing. I still support the use or original stuff where possible, but of course Jumpsuits, Jump boots and those other collectable items are never going to be within the budget of your avarage renactor, but the basic gear, which of course can be used for all other GI representations is still out there, one just needs to know where to look. Check out here for an example Ian: http://faaa.forumotion.com/t1858-for-sale-at-best-rates Regards Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #206 Posted May 14, 2012 Hi Ian This really is not the case mate, in regards to webbing you can pick up the original stuff at sometimes cheaper than Repro prices, I always have and I have just sold some gear, all original at cheaper than SOF prices. Yes it was to help group members out, but they now have some original stuff. 3 Guys now have original parade standard wool enlisted shirts on their backs over half the price of a repro fluffy wool thing. I still support the use or original stuff where possible, but of course Jumpsuits, Jump boots and those other collectable items are never going to be within the budget of your avarage renactor, but the basic gear, which of course can be used for all other GI representations is still out there, one just needs to know where to look. Check out here for an example Ian: http://faaa.forumotion.com/t1858-for-sale-at-best-rates Regards Lee Hi Lee. I understand what you're saying. By "originals" I was alluding to airborne specific items which will always command premiuim prices. Generic GI gear perhaps not so. As I said, the ideal blend would probably be a mix of original and repro. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #207 Posted May 14, 2012 Check out the current prices of original airborne items here! $3800 / £2370 will buy you an M-42 jumpsuit! http://www.paratrooper.fr/en/pages/catalog...x?cf=15&p=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAA Posted May 14, 2012 Share #208 Posted May 14, 2012 Even repro will cost you an arm and a leg here Yes mate I concure, add Airborne to anything and the price goes up! Regards Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpwings Posted May 14, 2012 Share #209 Posted May 14, 2012 Add FSSF aswell and ye can charge almost what ye want, seen a pair of jumpwings wi a made up oval and the guy included it all in the buzz words just to add dollars onto the price... I know a bloke, and he was in the FSSF group here in the UK, who used to get Brit para smocks for £1 and the builders used them, anyway, he has a whole rack full of them, and when he's skint, he sells one or two, the amount of original gear he has is absolutely staggering and as he says about selling: "just add airborne and ye can charge double, wether it's actually airborne issued or not" On the subject of new members, the group I'm in tend to keep our boys, and we've just added a few from Germany (and been invited over) and here in Scotland another two guys have been added to the list, we have had guys move onto other stuff, but they tend to come back from time to time in any case, some groups have a turnover as bad as Poundland's staff turnaround here in the UK :w00t: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #210 Posted May 14, 2012 For the benefit of aspiring "506ers" the reinforced M-1942 jumpsuit below is, in my opinion, probably the finest available. In fact I acquired it from the set of "Band Of Brothers" soon after production was completed here in the UK.(It actually bears a BoB Wardrobe stamp. ) It's made by S.M. Wholesale and is spookily close to the real thing...I've compared them, right down to the last detail. It looks even better now that it's been laundered a few times and the colour is starting to fade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #211 Posted May 14, 2012 attachment=523272:2012_0514m420004.JPG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #212 Posted May 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #213 Posted May 14, 2012 attachment=523277:2012_0514m420008.JPG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #214 Posted May 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #215 Posted May 14, 2012 It has the right weight, feel and colour (allow for the effects of the flash in a few of the pics) The zippers are Talon brand and the overall quality of construction and materials and attention to detail matches originals pretty much stitch for stitch. The suspenders are original WW2. Don't know how up to date this link is but I suspect it's somewhat redundant now! :dunno: http://www.smwholesale.com/0065.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted May 14, 2012 Share #216 Posted May 14, 2012 Right now the best Jump Suit in my opinion is At The Front's current run of Unreinforced Jump Suit. In cut, material, and fit it is better than than any reproduction readily available that I have seen. It compares extremely well to my original unreinforced suit. The person who does the best reinforcing(and does the best "506th Style" reinforcing) is Herb Zamar. His reinforcing job compares extremely well to the original reinforced jacket in my collection, especially when it comes to the treatment of the canvas he uses. The downside is that At the Front does not do in between sizes. Hopefully World War II Impressions next run is at least as of good quality as At The Front(which it probably will be) and have the added bonus of coming in in between sizes(i.e. 38, 42, 46, etc.). BTW buyer beware about buying from SM Wholesale when it is not through their ebay store. -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share #217 Posted May 15, 2012 Maybe airborne reenactors would like to add their 2 cents' worth in this respect...a kind of M42 jumpsuit review...quality, accuracy, fit, value for money etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share #218 Posted May 15, 2012 Also for the potential airborne reenactor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share #219 Posted May 15, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpwings Posted May 15, 2012 Share #220 Posted May 15, 2012 Seeing as we're showing off collections, here's a couple of "some imagination...please" out of the ordinary airborne stuff: Original sears child uniform (have I posted that already) : I've now got five of these: Original K Ration crate(no..wait...erm) : And then there's Phil's museum down Bushy (full report, I mean photos to follow)... :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted May 15, 2012 Share #221 Posted May 15, 2012 Maybe airborne reenactors would like to add their 2 cents' worth in this respect...a kind of M42 jumpsuit review...quality, accuracy, fit, value for money etc? Here are some pictures from a review I was going to do but never finished, partially because the photographs were not that good, though I may try again later. The Reproduction is unwashed(ie new out of the box from ATF) and I am wearing a set of wools underneath. Original Front: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0109.jpg Reproduction Front: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0114.jpg Original Right: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0108.jpg Reproduction Right: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0111.jpg Original Rear: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0107.jpg Reproduction Rear: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0112.jpg Original Left: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0106.jpg Reproduction Left: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...42/DSC_0113.jpg I have since washed the Reproduction M42s and they are now broken in and fit more like the original set. My Specifications: 5'8-5'9 Chest:36-38(depends on jacket) Neck:15 1/2 Slee:33 Waist:28-30(depends on trouser) Leg length:32 Weight: 140pds I am wearing an ATF Size 36 Jacket and size 30 trousers. Some pics of the M42 Uniform after they have been washed and used a bit: While Portraying 3/504 in the Apennines: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...es/DSC_0103.jpg While Portraying 3/504 in Sicily: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...an/DSC_0049.jpg While Portraying 3/504 at Anzio: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/re...536261666_n.jpg -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share #222 Posted May 15, 2012 Nice impressions and a good looking jumpsuit. Thanks for taking the time to add those pics redjoshman Where did you find that flak-track?! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted May 15, 2012 Share #223 Posted May 15, 2012 Thank you and the halftrack just happened to be at the local event so me and my friend decided to take advantage of the situation and turn it into a photo-op. -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124cav Posted May 16, 2012 Share #224 Posted May 16, 2012 Dug up some pictures of my re-enacting days from 1982 to 1992....ANY impression was out of the ordinary back then.... 1992 Ranger impression.... Yes, Rangers in 1992!!! I guess that's where Spielberg got inspiration... All original, including the Assault Jacket and originally badged M41 jacket!! :w00t: Looks like you and i had the same idea at about the same time (my pic is from 94) the field jacket a thrift shop find with a ranger diamon allready on it the invasion jacket was made by Mr-X and myself from the French Militaria magazine articles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpwings Posted May 16, 2012 Share #225 Posted May 16, 2012 Looks like you and i had the same idea at about the same time (my pic is from 94) the field jacket a thrift shop find with a ranger diamon allready on it the invasion jacket was made by Mr-X and myself from the French Militaria magazine articles I got my US Army trench coat from Armstrong's, a second hand shop in Edinburgh in 1987, now either it's shrunk, or I've grown ... :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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