[Sticky] Fallschirmjäger Questions.

I believe they wore yellow, like all other FJ.

Just a couple of uniform questions:

i) did FJ wear 'standard' LW trousers in blue wool as part of their uniform, either in the field or as part of their walking out dress (I'm thinking of officially rather than 'late war anything goes scruff' type stuff). I've seen a cheap pair of M43 trousers in blue in my size, and I was wondering if they'd be OK for FJ or if they are just normal LW. IIRC they had M37 trousers as part of their walking out dress, but I wasn't sure about M43s.

ii) I've just signed up as a Funker for a game, and in my box of badges I happen to have a german signals qualification badge. I'm not actually sure where these go, left sleeve of the fliegerbluse? could I put it on my jump smock...?

Cheers
Martin

On the M43 trousers I'd say no, the FJ wouldn't have worn them. LW blue M43 uniforms were a rare item as LWFD switched to Heer uniforms in 1943 and the rest of the LW was shrinking. The FJ would have been even more unlikely to wear them and they certainly wouldn't have been offical. Being a field uniform they would wouldn't have wanted to wear them for walking out either- they would stick to the smarter M37s or used their jump trousers to show they were FJ. For a late war anything goes they would be ok since under a smock etc you' stuggle to spot the difference between M37 & M43 but unless they're really cheap I'd save my money for something else.

As for the patch I believe the left sleeve, above where the cuff title might be is the correct position. I'd say a definite no to going on a smock. Only the eagle, and perhaps rank strips should go on the smock. Is it the Luftwaffe version you have then?

Is it the Luftwaffe version you have then?

No, it is actually an NVA one but the lighting bolt seems identical to wartime ones, just the shape of the patch is different.

I'll give the trousers a miss. Hooray, I've saved some cash.

Cheers
Martin

Budget boots-wise ...What's the general consensus on the brown SMW 2nd pattern boots as sold by SOF? I know the indent on the heel is not correct, but are they acceptable? Acceptable for re-enactment too? Will they hold up or desintegrate upon the first mention of a skirmish?

Well, here's my take on jump boots: they were only issued when jumping, apparently. So, low boots (and even jackboots) were commonly seen on FJ. I can't vouch for or against the brown SMW boots, since I don't know anybody who has them. As for whether they're acceptable for reenactment, I guess that depends on the group you are with, but I can't see why not.

Like Steiner says their acceptablity for reenactment is down to the group but personally I'd say they would be more than fit for purpose. I'd expect them to be pretty durable too, certainly more so than the Sturm version which are priced the same.

Thanks!

I know it would be more economical to grab a pair of ankle or marching boots, since they could be used for other impressions down the line. I like the look of the jump boots best though.

I'll go through the photo collection again, see if I can change my mind.

Cheers

Right the time has come, I'm thinking about going all out and getting a panther store Jump smock but I have a couple of questions, what is the better/correct colour option the light green or the the dark green background, also at just short of 6ft will I need to ask for the smock to be longer than standard as I have read they can come up a bit short.

Thanks Dagda , I've sent a email to panther store to get an idea of cost to have one made with a larger chest size but their size 3 height and waist as is.
I think i'll go for the light green background.

just starting my FJ kit and for the time being do you think i'd get away with a helmet cover over my brit airborne helmet?

That is a brilliant idea, I don't see why not although purists might complain about the chinstrap, we aren't stitch counters here . Which of course means I could do the reverse and use my FJ helmet for British airborne, although it would take a lot of scrim to cover up the insignia and underlying colour.

Cheers
Martin

just starting my FJ kit and for the time being do you think i'd get away with a helmet cover over my brit airborne helmet?

Thought the Brit helmet was developed from the German lid ? Wasn't the Brit oversmock also inspired by the German smocks ?

For my FJ lid, I'd considered buying one of the plastic £10 German helmets and cutting the brim off - with a cover over it should give the right silhouette, although by late war, some FJ were using the standard helmet anyway .........

For my FJ lid, I'd considered buying one of the plastic £10 German helmets and cutting the brim off

I've already tried that. Unfortunately the shell of the plastic helmets is noticeably a lot smaller than the FJ helmet so it didn't really work.

Cheers
Martin

just starting my FJ kit and for the time being do you think i'd get away with a helmet cover over my brit airborne helmet?

Dont see why not, be warned though I manage at least one freindly fire every other game when playing German and its always the FJ/LFD hidden in the bushes, at least if your wearing a brit helmet I can blame you

although by late war, some FJ were using the standard helmet anyway.

In conversations with veteran FJR he said they not only used them but wanted them. They coveted the extra protection offered by the full helmet.
He was also not impressed with the embroidered jump badge. He felt it was a cheap option not worthy of the dedication of the FJR. Never issued a metal badge, he didn't wear one.
Gerry also never got the two tank destruction badges he was due. He got the award paper work but not the metal work.

well i have a standard German helmet,i can use that but i guess i was just looking for the icon i suppose

For my FJ lid, I'd considered buying one of the plastic £10 German helmets and cutting the brim off

I've already tried that. Unfortunately the shell of the plastic helmets is noticeably a lot smaller than the FJ helmet so it didn't really work.

Cheers
Martin

Well that's saved me some shekels, cheers

There's a few cheap-ish fibreglass replicas on e-bay but not sure if they are full-size or not ?

Bear in mind that by late war not so many FJ were jump qualified and the regiments were being used as light or leg infantry. Plenty of pics of kosher FJ wearing normal infantry lids