Airborne or Infantry???

Despite the fact that I'd normally say Airborne, because I love the kit, its comfortable, light weight, no wool, looks cool and has more storage space than the infantry kit HOWEVER considering the way things are going I'd say don't bother getting Airborne gear because you'll never get to use it. I'd hesitate to buy US gear at all. There will be people who argue this point but I think its a fair comment.

Although if you live in the South-East I suppose there is the Gunman games...

Thank you I appreciate the suggestions,

I do live in the south of england so I will endevour to look at the Gunman games.

Thanks, Nat_Attack

Sorry, didn't mean to cast a despondent view of it. If you're in the South then Airborne all the way! Currahee!

Whatever you get if you want to be able to use it at as many events as possible don't be specific with units. i.e. don't put any insignia on it!

Go infantry , you'll have far more options . Sicily, Normandy , the Bulge and Arnhem have all been done to death over the past few years, it is unlikely people will be putting on large number of events where there will be a call for US airborne . If you fancy doing something different , try Russian, its cheaper and far more likley to get used in the next few years .

Says it all really haha; sort of reaffirms what I said...

There's a US game in the Midlands at a place called Drakelow Tunnels called Anarchy Under The Eagle, in August which should be good. It'll be US Infantry or Airborne, if you really want. Try and come along!

They are right though, for various reasons, unless you live in the South - East you won't get a US game. That's why I've started utilizing my kit in different ways. Reenacting and films!

I guess organisers are only going to arrange events that they feel they can fill. Last October's CiA event in Yorkshire, was organised specifically for US paratroops, but it was a struggle to get the numbers.

Simply put infantry will always be the most versatile uniform to have, the same as with any other nation. In the case of the US pretty much the same kit was worn from 1942 to 45, in North Africa, Europe and the Far East. You can't get much more versatile than that.

Its up to you what you go for though, whatever you get you'll be able to find a game somewhere despite what Speirs says. Just to let you know alot of Gunman games are in the West/Wales rather than South East you may still need to be prepared to travel.

Despite what Speirs says. Just to let you know alot of Gunman games are in the West/Wales rather than South East you may still need to be prepared to travel.

Haha not arguing about it. Such a shame US games have become 'unfashionable' in some peoples view. Theres no denying that at least.

Haha not arguing about it. Such a shame US games have become 'unfashionable' in some peoples view. Theres no denying that at least.

No, but if players don't make the effort to get to games then organisers won't make the effort to put them on.

I'm still deliberating the Airborne/Infantry topic but you have sort of persuaded me to go infantry, although looking how much it would cost for the kit Airborne seems the cheaper option.

Probably is, a supply & demand thing as airborne tends to be more popular amongst reenactors. The infantry wools will probably be more hardwearing though, I've lost count of times I've heard about US jump trousers ripping.

Wools are a part of the Airborne uniform too dont forget. The jumpsuit was essentially a suit of overalls to be worn over the wool trousers and shirt.
With wools and an M41 jacket you can do Glider troops too. It will fit with any airborne operation.
The basic suit may seem cheaper but once you start to add the details the Paratrooper kit starts to add up.
M1C or M2 para helmets are always more, those bloody yellow gloves that the real guys usually ditched after the jump but that are worn 24/7 by the chairborne, drop ropes, camo scarves, wrist compass, first aid pack to tie on your helmet [NO!NO!] the 6 knives and 4 hand guns that are deemed a must have.
Plus for most accurate representations of Paratrooper actions you need more than 1 set of threads.
Sicily for the 82nd was M42 un-modified. Normandy was ,mostly, re-enforced with distinctions between 82nd and 101st. Dragoon was M42 with so many specific details to the unit that it makes your head spin. Holland was to the greater part M43 with the introduction of some buckle boots though some M42 and plenty of jump boots to be seen. The Bulge was M43 and for many buckle boots. Varsity? Another mine field as the 17th had their own ideas.
Thats being dogmatic and re-enactorist. I dont think for airsoft it would be an issue to turn up in a SoF jump suit but once the bug bites and it does start to matter to you, it starts to cost.
With Wools and an M41 you can cover almost every scenario you wish. Once hooked you might spring for some HBTs to get the D-Day look spot on and maybe an M43 jacket and buckle boots for late war but the basics will not be wrong for any period of WW2. Or any western theater, N.Africa, Italy, Normandy, Belgium, Germany, all are covered by M41 and wools.

chairborne

The popularity of certain impressions does seem to vary over time. 4 years ago US Airborne was far and away the most popular. These days they seem a tiny minority. Some people have a choice of 2 or 3 different impressions that means they can fit into most games. Some prefer to be purists, sticking exclusively to a particular nation or arm-of-service or even a specific unit. It's whatever floats your boat.

Thanks for the response, I totally agree with what you are saying about feeling what the guys I am going to portray felt.

I think I might go Airborne as I really like the kit.

Also I'm only 14 going on 15 so I will have to rely on doing chores every now and again to earn the money to slowly build up the impression.

Nat_Attack

Platoon in bury have some childrens sized m42 jump suits, not sure if they will be big enough for you but worth giving them a ring if it could save you a few quid especially f your still growing ( as my 13 yr old lad is costs me a fortune)

Anyway number is 0161 7645194

Hope this helps
Cad

Lol,
Still worth giving them a ring as much cheaper than Epic or SOF

Cad

Until there is a sizeable bunch of players doing IJA, spending money on USMC kit will only get you a drinking uniform.

I disagree massively with this "do you wanna be different?" ethos. No, I want to look like part of a unit, not an army of one.

I disagree massively with this "do you wanna be different?" ethos. No, I want to look like part of a unit, not an army of one.

Hear hear

Maybe a misunderstanding here - if you go to open days and fancy something different then buy USMC by all means. If you want to attend WW2 themed airsoft events then it's a waste of money as there are no PTO games in the foreseeable future that I know of. If you buy WW2 leg infantry then you have something which isn't BoB for open days and also works for a lot more pukka WW2 events than airborne

PLUS you will have the uniform for the majority of the fighting in the Pacific Theatre as the infantry there was equipped the same at the ETO (with minor additions, but no subsitutions) so you have the best of all three worlds.

However for open days it doesn't matter - it's when I wear weird stuff I don't get the chance to in proper games.