American Kit Accuracy Discussion

On the subject of M42 trs leg ties does anyone have any 100% concrete proof about the colour of the leg ties-EG 82nd with green,101st with more tan/khaki??????

The early repro jump suits all had green leg ties and all the reenactors were screaming that they were wrong for 101st.

Were specific colours of leg ties realy specified for the 2 different units as i find it hard to believe an Airborne trooper during WW2 would be that fussy about the colour of his leg ties???

Imp, I don't think the word scruffy has been used - untidy maybe.

As a rather delicious foil to all this nonsense I have just seen biguk's added photo. Now then, General Ridgeway IS scruffy and looks like a sack of sh*t!

And possibly a bit camp.

could you get camp people in the 40's?

though they werent invented untill elton john.

Tom.

As i always say , wear your gear anyway you want to as long your happy with it,we always improving our kit as time goes on,and to me and a few were just keeping history going and enjoying the games. -- attachment is not available --

Also not to be a jerk but if you look at that pic BigUK posted note where the belts are hanging also how their susspenders are set up, just interesting considering the whole pretext of this thread.

yeah, your right, quite a relaxed style, as well as standing like a teapot.

Tom.

Also note how chappie in the middle does'nt even have susspenders on instead hes going cowboy.

and they're 82nd.

anymore need to be said?

Tom.

Please dont use the brilliant "band of brothers" as a reference, as fantastic as it is historically it is not.

LOL, my point of mentioning Band of Brothers!

I know what the term means - I was asking for a definitive answer on what a rigger is and who they were. I'd hazard a guess it came from the sailing term - someone who uses canvas and thread - but I don't know that.

BTW, they definitely had 'camp' in WW2 (camp comedians on radio and in the theatre were very popular) but not gay. In WW2 I'd be gay but not camp - being the jolly soul I am.

PS, I've changed my avatar in honour of this thread! (Infantry of course )

very nice

As i always say , wear your gear anyway you want to as long your happy with it,we always improving our kit as time goes on,and to me and a few were just keeping history going and enjoying the games.

Great pic Mark, have you got a bigger version of that picture? Would be interesting to have a look in more detail.

could you get camp people in the 40's?

though they werent invented untill elton john.

Tom.

Type Noel Coward into a search engine.

After that you could try Oscar Wilde and Quentin Crisp... My dear little satsuma.

Good old wikipedia. It kinda sheds a bit more light on the whole 'Rigger' thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_rigger

Though i think the term rigger as CW suggested comes from the sailing big ships with sails days. The riggers were responsible for looking after the sails, be it repairs, or hoisting them up and down.

A parachute rigger is a person who is trained or licensed to pack, maintain or repair parachutes. A rigger is required to understand fabrics, hardware, webbing, regulations, sewing, packing, and other aspects related to the building, packing, repair, and maintenance of parachutes.

Excellent, that will do for me. So it is a proper, specific job and related to Airborne Divs. It's the second niggling thing I have learned today...

The senior parachute rigger candidate must pack a minimum of 20 parachutes of one type and be able to demonstrate the
ability to maintain and make minor repairs. The master parachute rigger candidate must have 3 years of experience as a parachute rigger and have packed at least 100 parachutes of two type ratings in common use. There are four type ratings that may be placed on a parachute rigger certificate: back, chest, seat, and lap. Of these, the first three are used today. The lap rating applies to parachutes that are basically obsolete. A senior parachute rigger is considered a journeyman technician, and the master parachute rigger is considered an expert.

Hmmm just my general thoughts

Lots of people saying "we're not reenactors we're airsofters ...." which to me is a shame . I think I understand what they mean , but why should airsofters want to look crap and inaccurate any more than reenactors would ? Don't get it at all .

I remember the first time I donned German Webbing for a photoshoot to publicise our first game , and having no one to tell me how wrong I had put it together . Bless , Major put myself and Chommers right because he'd done several years with 2nd BG and knew how it was done . If advice is available , take it , thats what this forum is all about .

I have been consitantly impressed with the PBI lads since first seeing them at Hurtgen .Despite being a mix of shapes and ages , they look the part , act the part and add a lot to any game they come to .

"We're not in the Army" ....no but you are pretending to be soldiers so why not act like soldiers ? Bit of smartness ,bit of discpline , you will get a lot more out of it, otherwise it just becomes an open day SISK IMHO . I see endless debates about "realism" and "how many BB's is real" and yet for me acting the part is far more important in immersing yourself in the period. Only 600 rounds.... but I must carry 5 guns in nylon gunbags into the game area .....how cack is that really . Blows any suspension of disbelief back into the weeds .

Which ever uniform , wear it with pride and wear it accurately , it's a crying shame not to .

Guy, very well said indeed. I agree wholeheartedly!

I'd been trying to work out a way to say what I think of all this, but you've gone and done it now, so no need!

LOL , to be fair both SS groups look the part as well . See either of them on the field , they look like a cohesive unit , they look like soldiers .

To me...

They just look like targets...

LOL , to be fair both SS groups look the part as well . See either of them on the field , they look like a cohesive unit , they look like soldiers .

and us yank paratroopers look like sacks of shit tied up in the middle,,,,, which to me is spot on with the pics of scicily and normandy i have seen. 100% accurate pockets in battle dress uniforms arnt called american gloves for nothing.