Advice for a Dark Side Newbie

First off take a look here... http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/zoom/staffs.html

Para is the same as airlanding for almost everything.

The denison is shit, get an SoF one. I no longer own the one in that photo.

Under the BD blouse goes a standard brit wool collarless shirt.

Ammo boots are what you want. DMS is an acceptable look alike. If you go for modern boots you'll need bigger anklets(gaiters).

Insignia... nowt but rank and para wings on the denison. Appropriate cap badge on beret. BD is a whole other kettle of fish...

Cheers Yith

I've taken a look at the Airlanding info. - thanks very much [nice photo, BTW] - very helpful

In terms of webbing and other odds and sods, what do people generally go for as far as gaming is concerned?

Basic webbing is: anklets, belt, utility pouches, cross straps.

Most add water bottle to this and maybe a small pack for general junk if there's need to carry spare stuff that won't fit in your pockets or utility pouches. You can fit a lot of stuff in denison pockets.

One thing I'll say is to avoid the para BD trousers. They were only used my paras and if you get normal BD trousers (also used by paras) you're already well on your way to a regular infantry impression as well. You just need BD jacket and helmet to finish it off.

To echo Yiths comments, I am making a start on leaving the Dark Side as well, and for basic webbing I've gone with just anklets, belts, cross straps and front pouches. I already had a waterbottle and carrier, and I'll pick up a gas mask bag or similar to put my excess junk in.

Cheers
Martin

Cheers matey, very helpful once again

One final specific question re BD insignia. Would I be right in thinking that on each sleeve the order would be [for 2 para] blue on blue 'Parachute Regiment' title, followed by para wings, followed by Pegasus patch, followed by 'Airborne' divisional title? Would it also be right that these would usually be printed, as opposed to embroidered, on combat clothing?

BTW: were there any reg's as far as spacings were concerned?

Sorry I don't know much off-hand about para insignia... We tried to avoid it as some paras/ex-paras can be tetchy about the wearing of wings... note not all! Anyway Gliders are so much cooler.

Thank you so much, chaps

So, just the one pair of wings on the BD, and another on the right sleeve of the smock - should I choose to take my life in my hands - , and most of the patches printed rather than sewn! Cool

All I need now is the cash to pay for it all!

Yup the only thing that goes on the the smock is the para wings and rank... you do see some people put all sort on them but they shoudl be pretty bare.

With the current euro-gbp exchange rate it is pretty marginal between SOF and Panther. At 1:1.12 The Panther jackets are coming out at over 100 quid.

Cheers
Martin

They may have changed there design but SOF BD used to be cut incorrectly and more like a modern denim jacket than a BD blouse.

They might have sorted this, they hadnt in the one i own

Hmmm.

I was looking at SOF - not cheap, I know, for a lot of things but they do stock virtually everything I need

I'll take a look at PS as well, thanks

I got mine from Platoon in Bury
Very reasonable price too

Thanks for that heads up chief

Had a look at all the sites/dealers you refer to. Must say, the Panther-store stuff looks well made if the real article is anything like the photos. Sadly the PM site is still under construction and I couldn't view anything, just see lists

The WPG package deals in particular look great value for money. Do you know where their stuff is made by any chance?

Making choices about gear when you haven't seen any of it is always a bit of a minefield isn't it, so all this advice/help/guidance is very much appreciated

Regards

I've heard only good stuff about panthers stuff.

Sabre used o be good for webbing.

TBH, your best bet is getting to somewhere like war and peace with someone who knows whats what brit wise in tow and you'll probably be able to get a lot of the kit for very little.

At W&P last year I got pretty much an entire set of 37 pattern webbing for £10, a repro 37pat BD blouse (full badged as south staff) for £35 and loads of other bargains.

I was under the Impression SOF KD was jut WPG KD with the label taken out and the price doubled?

Ditto the battledress - and they don't even bother cutting out WPG labels now.

I'm not sure where stuff is made is relevant either - almost all the clothing you are wearing today comes from Turkey, India, Pakistan. Malaysia, Korea and so on. Sophisticated, modern set ups, the epitome of efficiency but with lower wage costs allowing either dirt cheap garments or a high degree of manual labour without breaking the bank. Don't tar them all with the same brush as back street operators like Replicaters. "European made" doesn't mean "better" but probably means "more expensive". Heh, in any case, Panther Store don't say where the products are manufactured or made up. However, the closer you are to home the more practical 'made to measure' will be, in terms of customer service, and the same goes for mail order returns. At least with SoF you can try it on first!

What does matter is the specification by the commissioning business and Panther certainly seem to on the ball in terms of spec.

Again, thanks guys. I think I'm able to narrow my choices down somewhat now

Based on what you're telling me, PS seems like a fairly safe bet, whilst preferably steering clear of WPG and SOF, at least as far as the basic clothing items are concerned

Chief, if you're around later in the year for Beltring or Detling I'd very much appreciate some 'hands on' assistance, that would be great. I won't be buying anything until then anyway as I have a few other things in the pipeline that I've committed cash to

Cheers

Any other advice always greatly appreciated

Yes, thank you. British stuff is the one thing I want to get absolutely right, and I just don't have the time trawl around militaria shows, so it looks like Panther then. At 250E including postage for a jacket and trousers this makes German stuff look cheap!

I think that is a general comment abut the website kit guides, the quoted prices are way out of date. I've bought a lot of kit in the last year and it is virtually impossible to buy things direct from suppliers for the prices mentioned, just sometimes you get lucky with second hand stuff on the forums or ebay.

Cheers
Martin

I think that is a general comment abut the website kit guides, the quoted prices are way out of date.

Happy for anyone to put the legwork in and update prices/suppliers.