American Kit Pics

Good one. On a more serious note, the US look I'm going for is 1st Infantry circa late 43- early 44. I'm having some difficulty in choosing trousers. Any advice would be great. Cheers P.

I am by no means a expert, but I was told by Soldier of Fortune when putting together the impression and from the book "World War II GI" by Richard Windrow and Tim Hawkins that the Infantry divisions wore the herringbone twill (HBT) 2 piece fatigue suit on D-Day (which was also worn in the mediterranean during Operation Torch and the Italian campaign) OR the Olive Drab woollen trousers in conjunction with the M41 jacket. Both types of trouser were used right up till the end of the war in Europe (although the woollen trousers were meant to be phased out by then)

I wear the HBT trousers and the M41 jacket ala Saving Private Ryan. The woolen trousers are meant to be itchy as hell!

Excellent kit. If I had two things to say though..... Get it dirty! Lose the goatee!

I know what you mean, it does indeed looks all nice and shiney, but I swear to you I am trying to get it dirty! I have taken it to games 4 or 5 times now and jump and roll about as much as I can, and that I havent washed it in the 6 months that I bought the kit! Next game I swear I will chuck myself into a mud pit.

You may have a point about the beard, but just having bought the Willie and Joe box set recently by Bill Mauldin, I think the average G.I DID have a beard for most of his time in the combat zone!

In fact Mauldin got in trouble by snooty officers that he shouldnt portray American soldiers in such a scruffy way, even when that was what they mostly looked like. So I feel I am actually adding to the authenticity by having a goatee -- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available --

I have no problem with a stubbly full beard, but a goatee is very anachronistic. Not that it matters at all though, come as you are.

Mind you, I've heard tell that the ladies prefer full stubble over a goatee.....

I know, I know, your right, just trying to defend the goatee! I have had for nearly 10 years now and still cant bring myself to shave it off. My mates that do WW2 airsoft have a good moan about it as well I do assure you!

Thats why I try and leave as much stubble as poss for taking the load-out for a spin.

I have russian kit for 60's-80's load-outs and the goatee looks even worse with those impressions!

Now I'm not saying that you look like these guys at all, but here are a few good reasons why the goatee is no longer the facial merkin of choice:

This is, of course, all in jest.........

I have pretty much had enough, sooo, my beard goes. I have spent the last 4 days without a kitchen or bathroom and now look like I ave half a badger gluded to my face. Once the bathroom is done, bye bye beard.

Upside I can change my sig pic.

Very good! , you know what? I might give it a go to...I can always grow it back again if I hate the baby smooth feel!

Bloody hell! I just went and done it! shaved the whole thing off... God, what have I done! 10 years! Argh. Oh well might as well take off the side burns while I am at it.... Hmmmm. I look quite dashing doesnt look too bad actually....

congrats mate... well impressed... that's commitment!

errrrr...True. I've got some more pics going up soon once I've got my Greatcoat. Need to sort out my webbing so it fits over it.

Also will put pictures up of the 30.Cal once it's ready

And it has got pics!..Leonard Nimoy, Bill Oddie...the dude out of Flash Gordon who looks like a bad guy out of Harry Potter.

Incidentally, any US players already booked in for the December game, get some pics up of your gear. I know there's LOADS of Airborne guys who haven't posted any.

True! old Beastor and new Beastor....-- attachment is not available ---- attachment is not available --

That's much better!! You look a lot younger! You cut a slight resemblance to Ex-CiA fellow Diggah.

And if you've seen When Trumpets Fade...you look like the character Warren

Thanks guys, My Sis-in-law came round with the nephews a hour ago, she agreed aswell: looking a lot younger! one of my mates said I looked like I did in 5th year at school: amazing what a shave can do.....

I havent heard of the When the Trumpets Fade, any good? I see Timothy Olyphant is in it and I liked him in Deadwood.

Everybody seems to rip it, but I don't think it's a terribly bad film. It's not SPR or BoB but its worth a watch. Timothy Olyphant isn't too bad, he's not got a huge role in it though TBH. And yeh he is good in Deadwood.

Mind you, I've heard tell that the ladies prefer full stubble over a goatee.....

Wrong.

beard has gone this morning. the other half reckons I also look a lot younger. Its bloody cold on the old chin though.