Hi all. I have recently started putting together a WWII brit airborne 'loadout'. My local site has its roots in WWII airsoft and we do put together the occasional WWII game (usually an overnighter). So far i have picked up a few bits to get me started, looking like this so far -
(i also use a sten and have a camo scrim and small pack i forgot to put on)
Firstly a couple of points i know need correcting -
- The pouches are the later 'spanish-fly' type
- It needs a taste of blanco
- Its obviously a belgian smock
- The beret is too shaped
For the lower half i have a pair of black boots (although not ammo or DMS) and the leather gaiters. My problem is that of trousers. I have had a trawl through previous threads and the look-a-likes section but i could really do with something specific. The obvious choice would be to actually get a pair of BD trousers, however -
1 - They seem to be harder to find in my size (36")
2 - They are reasonably expensive
3 - My local site is muddy as hell and i really wouldnt want to wreck a pair of BD's
So i guess my question is does anybody know somewhere (a link would be perfect) i can obtain a pair of look-a-like trousers in a good colour/fabric that are not too expensive. Im trying to put together this impression on a budget as we dont play WWII games that often so i dont want to throw money at something that im hardly going to use. Saying that i use the smock regularly in games (and even for casual wear) as its just a great bit of kit. The '37 webbing i also use quite a lot as its the only thing i have that will hold my sten mags (without paying silly money for a sten bandolier)
Thanks for any help
P
You could always try Demin BD it would be more authentic than look alike BD and would be more hard wearing and cheaper, but if you want realy cheap only look alikes I know of are 49pat (with the pocket in the wrong place) or Canadian (which are too green) But personaly my site is also muddy and with a good thick pair of BD the mud just dries then falls off.
Yep, as dev says, the cheapest 'lookalike' to wartime BD is '49 pattern BD trousers, though even those are starting to become scarce in larger (i.e today's 'normal'!) sizes.
If you can find a canadian or greek pair, they're also fairly cheap, and work perfectly well along with a denison, as there's nothing on the top to compare them against.
personally, i've got a pair of repro BD trousers now, and they're quite resilient, mud won't be an issue for them.
Yup... Serge BD trousers are very hard wearing.... they're meant to be got muddy and then be able to be cleaned up completely.
I wore a pair on Saturday and got them VERY muddy... a quick spin in the washer in a wool wash and they're totally clean!
Hmm it would seem even the '49 pattern are difficult to come by. I suppose if you are going to pay the money you may as well go the whole-hog and get the repro '37 BD jobs.
I suppose now i think about it if they are wool trousers theres no reason why any dry mud couldnt just be brushed out then rinsed.
Cheers chaps, i'll have a hunt 
Glad to be of assistance! 
Note it is occasionally possible to pick up decent-priced large-sized repros 2nd hand on ebay and on the wwii re-enacting forums... just keep your eyes peeled and get in quick!
I know not what you asked but why not look for a pair of matching Belgian cammo trs?
They usually are available in only fairly large sizes,not that expensive and VERY VERY hardwearing.
Just a thought 
Quite an interesting idea but it really wouldnt go with the impression im guessing
NB - As much as a 1950's belgian smock does . . .
I think to me one of the key parts of the 'airborne' look is the contrast between camo smock and khaki trousers.
With the contrast you can get away with one or the other being not quite right but if both were cam it would to me cease to look wwii at all and start looking more like a 50s merc impression.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
I was at Sabre Sales the other week and they seem to have a shedload of Canadian BD trousers if it helps. I'm not sure on sizes, so best to give them a ring.
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
If they're the ones at the far end of the big clothing room all piled up in the mass of other clothing, then they'll be small sizes.
I have since managed to aquire a pair ! I had to do a couple alterations but they look spot on. I decieded to give them a bash in lieu of my normal trousers at the last skirmish. They soaked up mud/water like a sponge, itchy on the legs . . .
In short they were perfect 