Obviously as previously stated all the above options are fine for playing airsoft however the preferred smock for PBI these days is a rangercamp or military tours one.
If you've already got another type thats fine but I'd have to urge a new player about to invest £50 - £70 in a smock to forego an open day or not go to the pub one weekend, save that bit extra and get an RC.
It *really* is worth that extra £20 - £30.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I've got one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WW2-British-Parac ... 638Q2em122 the only problem with it is that the colour is not quite right but for £55 + P&P it's a better option than a Belgium smock.
Definately better than a Belgian but colours look very bright and its a 2nd pattern.
Whats the postage on one of these?
I think it's about $25 not completely sure as I bought this along with one of the camo windproof sets and paid $40 postage for both items
Yer seems like the idea, i suppose i could go for infantry then save for a decent Denison, however reguarding the colour of the cheaper smock if you were to wash it on a high heat would the colour fade like with the orange SOF webbing, is there any way of fading the colours and making them more dull and less bright, mabe dying the jacket ? i do think i have seen smocks that bright on maniquins in museums in Arnhem and i thought they looked a bit strange.
I belive the guy in the center is wearing one of them download/file.php?id=465&mode=view
I also just noticed that WPG do full winproof camo suits for a reasonable price and seing as No2 Commando, British Snipers and the SAS wore these that it would be a good idea as it is one of the cheapest loadouts to do, but i just wanted to make sure, do you think this is a good idea and was the full camo suit used by all units or was it just used by the snipers in the platoon.
Windproof suits were on general issue by the winter of 44/45
Some formations like 52nd lowland used them a lot.
Thing is its not really a cheap option as it should be worn over other kit, you could wear it on its own but its going to feel a bit nasty, its waxed cotton see.
I'd get the panzerfaust43 type, i have a set they are lovely and cost £75 plus postage.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Hello,
Hope this is the correct thread for my question. I am wondering what kind of trousers the
1st Parachute Brigade wore in Sicily? P37/40 Battle Dress trousers, Para trousers or Denims?
I have been searching for pictures but could not find anything helpful.
Thank you!
Most likely any of them with a possibility of KD trousers.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
Thank you Gadge!
Any idea where to find websites with Para/Sicily/Italy pictures?
I checked PegasusArchive but there was not much.
Thanks
We've been struggling too.
The general consensus i've arrived at is that KD was issued but most soldiers wore BD trousers as KD wasnt hard wearing enough.
KD and JG by Brayley shows the airlanding brigade in BD trousers,m KD shirts and denison smocks.
Osprey's Mediterranean theatre book shows most line inf wearing BD trousers and KD shirts in sicily/italy
Airborne in Southern France are shown to be wearing denim trousers and denison smocks.
Pics of the Staffords MMG team in Sicily show them wearing denisons and trousers we cant quite make out.
Bear in mind the division were in North Afrika prior and they would have had substantial issue of KD kit.
I see no reason why the para brigade would have substantially different kit.
Para trousers btw were by no means universal, on issue at a ratio of about 1 man in 5.
I wasnt trying to be unhelpful in my first answer.. more that there is no definite source i've found yet.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I have found Pegasus Archive best source for pictures and there is only a few.
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/sicily/frames.htm
The ones shown are for North Africa training. As the Airborne were only on Scilly for around 3 days and were pretty busy for the first 24 hours I do not think many pictures from the landing exist.
The training pictures show KD bush jackets with darker trousers that could be BD serge or wool. I would think that for training lighter weight uniform may have been specified in the order of the day to be more comfortable in the African heat. You can see that some of the Airlanding troops are wearing shorts during their excercises.
Thanks for all those infos Gadge, seems you are facing the same problems that i am. 
Regarding Southern France, in the "First Airborne Task Force" book by De Trez there are a few
photos of British Paras and they all seem to wear regular BD trousers.
It is really hard to find good pictures from the MTO & Southern France 
Thats the pics im on about the MMG team and i reckon the PIAT team too have dennys on.
MMG definite, prety sure the PIAT has.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
if you can find a copy of:
The British Army 1939 - 45 (2) Middle East & Mediteranian by Martin Brayley
Page 32, colour plate H figure 2
Is an illustration of the 2nd Independant para Bde, Le muy, France August 44 in denims.
I'd take a pic but you know copyright and all that.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
