Which ones right??

Hello and welcome. Either of the Splittertarn smocks would be fine - the green ones. The one labelled Zumpftarn is also correct, but approximately 10 times rarer, so quite rare indeed.

As regards ranking your Fliegerbluse as an Unteroffizer, no I don't think anybody would mind. (If you came as a Reichmarschall, that might be different!)

FYI, FJ is one of the more costly kits to buy, since the Springerhosen (jump trousers) are more expensive than regular Heer/SS ones, and you have the cost of the Fliegerbluse and smock. FJ helmets can also prove a bit tricky to get a good one - best go to somewhere you can actually try one on, so you get the right shell size and the right liner size.

You don't have to get brown leatherwear - black is equally correct, and could be used for other impressions, if so desired. Not sure what your weapon is (will be?), but if it's an MP40, don't be tempted to get the double six magazine pouches. I have yet to actually find a period photo of them. Other things - jump boots are not essential. So, you might find it cheaper to get low boots.

Feel free to run any potential purchases past us - it might save you some money, and there are plenty of tales on here of people buying the wrong stuff without asking, and then wondering what to do with it, since it's nearly impossible to sell on.
Andy

which one of theses is the most correct for circa D-Day.

For late war Luftwaffe FJ, you want a Splittertarn (pattern B) smock. The first and second ones are both good. I imagine the first is supposed to be "box fresh" and the second one more work faded. Sumpfmuster was a much less common camo. If you want to portray the regular FJ rather than the exotic and unusual, go for Splittertarn. The last three are Waffen SS Camo, no good for LW or WH FJ. Panther store do some lovely quality shmutter.

Additionally would anyone get funny with me if when I get my fliegerblouse if it was ranked up as an unteroffizer?

No, they wouldn't. You'd be wearing it under your smock in-game anyway. For the after show drinkies you can wear whatever rank you like.

EDIT. Pipped to the Outpost

unteroffizer? This is the equivalent of a corporal right?

As above, you can badge up as any sort of rank you like, however NCOs in the WW2 German Army were a bit different to British Army ones, they were more literally non-commissioned Officers, and you'd often find an unteroffizier commanding a platoon.

A 'corporal' commanding a section or a rifle group was more likely a gefreiter or obergfreiter (sort of senior privates of various kinds).

Cheers
Martin

@ Steiner & BedsnHerts

Thanks for the warm welcome, I would be my luck to have picked the most expensive load out
I will definitely be getting the black EM belt as that makes more sense. Weapon wise I'm at an impasse there, not airsofted since the introduction of the VCA and the whole needing a UKARA membership to buy RIF's thing. I have only got a GBB G18c and a G36c so they are going to be pretty useless to me really. Gonna need to dust off my greens and get that sorted I suppose. Not though about boots… might do some looking any suggestions??

@ Martin R

Us plucky Brits do like to devolve to the non-comm's more… my direct equivalent in the USAF, having major dealings with them, is a Sgt. I know there are some grey areas in the LW etc but after scourging countless pages on here and other places I have been lead to believe the this was the case, Feldweber is a Sgt, unteroffizier would therefore be the lowest non-comm therefore a Cpl; the twin chevrons of a senior private are not the same as a Cpl, if I'm wrong I'd happily be a Flieger

For lookalike boots, you could try the old Brit army boot - Boots Combat, High (BCH), which are an approximation of the later jump boot.

Yes, British Combat Highs work well for jump boots and are fairly comfy as well. I would second the recommendation to go with black webbing, that is what I use for my FJ impression. If looking at later war FJ, you don't really need jump trousers either, just normal German army trousers, which will also do for other impressions.

Gunwise, the cheap and cheerful option is an MP40.

Cheers
Martin

I might have a pair of CS95 High leg boots somewhere; I normally wear pro boots but they are too different really. Defiantly going the black webbing route, what's the rules on bread bag colours and gas mask canister??

Breadbag in green or LW blue. Canister possible, though typically filled with anything but a gas mask

Unlike some reenactor groups, I believe I have yet to see a late war combat picture of FJ in full kit. It was apparently not uncommon at all to dump y-straps, mag pouches etc and just stuff the smock pockets with whatever they needed to carry.

Gun is going to be a problem until I get my arse in gear and sort the UKARA thing out. Would really like STG44, but not really the right look maybe or a KAR98 but Tanaka one is expensive, not sure about the DBoys cartridge thing but the Zeta Lab one looks promising. I understand that most FJ wear armed with a pistol to is that a Luger or Walther??

I would like a water bottle, bread bag and a gas mask canister as they are quintessentially German

Stg44 is only accurate for 1944 onwards. Many events seem to be set then anyway, but you might find the odd earlier war one that would request authentic weapons. Forget the DBoys K98 - total waste of time. Yes, FJ usually had a Luger or Walther, which is yet another expense! You would only need a gasmask cannister if you were portraying land-based FJ, which they all were, post 43. When jumping, they had a gasmask bag instead.

Right I think I'll try and get the Panther bone sack and some Springerhosen with a black belt and EM LW buckle, that should get me started for sure. Could I get away with a side hat (Forage or Chip hat) as the para helmet is quite expensive??

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that pistols were issued so they would have something to shoot with right after landing. And later in the war, when they were purely land based they would not need pistols anymore (may have been issued still, you do see holsters worn a lot on parade/appel pictures, but definitely not carried into combat by everyone).

Helmet does not have to be too expensive. Deepeeka shell from Medieval.arms and replacement liner, chinstrap and bolts from Spearhead Militaria both on eBay. Might need to repaint the helmet shell because of rust.

Damn your eyes Nilz, damn your eyes…

I'm going to have to put a purchase request past domestic control now; yes it's only £60 odd for a good looking repro but that's not budgeted for

I'm hoping WW2 style airsoft will rekindle my love for the hobby…

See if you can source some of it second hand? The For Sale section here regularly has FJ stuff up and you could check ghe various reenactment boards as well. There's a dedicated fjreenactors board too.

Bare essentials for late war frontline: Spittertarn bonesack, helmet (regular Stahlhelm *is* acceptable), EM belt & buckle, trousers (jump or regular) with suspenders or belt, boots (jump, marching or ankle) and a service shirt. For colder weather a jumper or Fliegerbluse.

That would give you an authentic frontline look, skirmish ready, to start from. You can worry about adding other pieces later.

Also, the Panther store smock is currently the best one available, but if your budget is tight, you could consider the Spearhead Militaria one (I'm on a very tight budget myself and that is what I bought). It is a lot cheaper, but good enough to be accepted by most reenactment groups, so might fit the bill for you as well. The money saved would allow you to buy the helmet.

Right I think I'll try and get the Panther bone sack and some Springerhosen with a black belt and EM LW buckle, that should get me started for sure. Could I get away with a side hat (Forage or Chip hat) as the para helmet is quite expensive??

Agree with Nilz that it's worth scouring a few forums for 2nd hand stuff. And yes, although I always advise that helmets should be worn in combat (because period photos show that to be the case), there are quite a few pictures of FJ in Crete wearing side caps. Check out http://www.richardaunderwood.com - he is doing the M40 - with all insignia sewn on - for just £35.

You're also right about the pistol, but seems to be a "tradition" that FJ wore them even when they were land-based. I guess a cheaper initial option would be to just get a hard holster! BTW, although airsoft Lugers look fabulous, they are notoriously frail, so bear that in mind. (The holsters are different.)

I also agree that it might be better going for a cheaper smock. RAU sells the Spearhead one. http://www.richardaunderwood.com/produc ... cts_id=244

Whatever you do, don't get a "splinter A" pattern. Many sellers offer them, but they're wrong. As ever, if in doubt, ask on here. You might also consider the early plain green smock, which is correct for all periods of the war.

Personally I would add a breadbag and a water bottle to the basic minimum kit, The SoF or Epic ones are fine and functional. Charging around all day with nothing to eat or drink isn't a very good idea, and you need somewhere to put your sandwiches and water

Cheers
Martin

A pistol is something I definitely wouldn't worry about for late war and as nils says it was it hit & miss whether they were actually issued later on since alot of FJ weren't even jump trained. In airsoft terms unless you're using a rifle over 350fps they're generally dead weight except for CQB type sites. You're much better off putting the money towards a reliable main weapon and good kit to start.

Personally I would add a breadbag and a water bottle to the basic minimum kit, The SoF or Epic ones are fine and functional.

Agreed although I'd recommend the RAU waterbottle to save yourself a few quid. Militarianet has the best breadbag (the superior one), far more accurate than the postwar copies most sell for just £2 more.

Another good reason to go for RAU is that he has the insignia professionally machine sewn on. A big plus if you hate or are crap at sewing!

If you are planning on buying a number of items then give Richard a call on the phone and he will usually do you a good deal.

I wish he was selling the Spearhead smock when I bought mine. The spot for the chest eagle is a real bugger to get to with that chest pocket being in the way.