hey guys i recently took an order for my first ww2 us paratrooper look and was hoping to get it right by asking for your constructive criticism. oh and there are no boots because i haven't got round to spending the 80 odd quid they cost at most sites. oh and no thompson either yet but will be purchasing one in the next few weeks, any opinions welcome =]
Only a couple of things you need to do. First, tuck your helmet net under the helmet liner, do this by taking the liner out before fitting the net, then put it in when the net is in place.
No need to wrap the leg ties round your legs, just tie them off or stuff them in your leg pockets. Other people have ripped their trousers or torn the ties off by doing them up too tight, especially on chinese made suits. You also need to adjust your webbing a bit, as it'll bounce around all over the place if it's loose. 
Nice to see someone who's the right age doing airborne! Most of us are way too old (or fat!) to carry it off properly!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
thanks for the helmet advice never realized was done in a specific fashion. always learning =]
been interested in the ww2 scene for a while and finally got the pennies to buy some gear. as for the age well you will be needing someone who doesn't have a dodgy knee or back to run up that big hill to see whats on the other side lol
thanks for the helmet advice never realized was done in a specific fashion. always learning =]
been interested in the ww2 scene for a while and finally got the pennies to buy some gear. as for the age well you will be needing someone who doesn't have a dodgy knee or back to run up that big hill to see whats on the other side lol
Looks like we've got a volunteer to carry the .30 cal! 
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
haha, yeah sign me up would love to attend a fully ww2 themed day or weekend but manic at work at moment so no time off for me for a while.
any suggestions on next purchases? already got my local shop to order me in a thompson and some bits. hoping to get a good look before i attend an event just because of the amount of time you guys spend on detail an i roll in with a half cut version seems to cheapen it a little
where you from mate. nice starter kit. the helmet net is not quite right, its far too thick. a waterbottle is the next purchase and a thompson mag bag is worth its weight in gold. remember uniforms were baggy. have a look at the dog company site for ideas and pics
Looking good so far.
belt order.
first aid kit, worn on the front, e tool, water bottle, musette pack( thats what the other two straps on your suspenders are for)
nice but not necessary, bayonet or M8 knife, boot knife.
and you do need corcorans. expensive but worth it, it just finishes off the iconic look.
PM us if you have any questions. I've been doing 101st for a while now.
Cheers Pat
Alternatively, leave your jumpsuit unbadged, then you can portray any airborne unit. Both cheap and effective and much more flexible in terms of what battles you won't look out of place at.
No need to spend a fortune on kit. Get your weapon sorted out and start playing! Don't fall into the trap that many do, of thinking you need spot on kit in order to play, because you don't.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
thanks for the helmet advice never realized was done in a specific fashion. always learning =]
One thing you'll learn is that there's a proper way of doing EVERYTHING...This applies to all impressions. Don't assume that you have it right by guessing, do some research or post threads just like this one!
One thing you'll learn is that there's a proper way of doing EVERYTHING...This applies to all impressions.
Just to also say that sometimes there are several proper ways, so don't get stuck into thinking that there's only one.
Get your basic kit sorted (looks like you've done that), get your gun and get the stuff worn in! Simples.
Things that aren't necessary, but nice to own, like e-tools, gloves, first aid tins and other paraphernalia can some later.
have a water bottle and a thing that holds three Thompson mags then two dump pouches just haven't had the battle to get them all fastened on in correct places yet. thinking of leaving it un-badged for three reasons, one then doesn't matter that i am part of a specific unit, two my sewing skills, and i haven't earned the right to wear the unit and rankings so don't see why i should.
will have to crack open the internet and find out the different ways for stuff to go. thanks for all the help guys, will post some new pics up in next few days and let you have a swipe at them.
and before i forget im from west Yorkshire so any games relatively close would be a good chance for me to get some mud worn into the kit =]
A few of our members pop over to Fearful Silence for the odd open day, wearing their WW2 kit. That's not that far for you.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Belt order is pretty much up to you. Just wear it how you feel comfortable.
http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/v ... 83f6779c55
Boots for cheap, don't know if they'll fit you though.
well will see you at fearful am a member over there and play most of my skirmishes over there. is a top notch woodland sight. will have to be giving everything a jiggle at each stop to get it right. to quote band of brothers ''I'm a nine just like everybody else'' sorry got it for Christmas and haven't turned it off yet
Ah, well chat to Alex/Tyreal, the site owner, he has a US airborne uniform and may be able to help.
I attend FSA from time-to-time so we may end up being there at the same time.
One additional thing, you need the belt and braces for the trousers as the trousers are supposed to be high waisted...
Show me a man who will jump out of an airplane, and I'll show you a man who will fight!
General James M. Gavin
CRY HAVOC AND LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR
Best thing to do is find some photos online and have a look at how they're wearing their kit
Good advice. But you're much better looking at pictures of real soldiers rather than re-enactors, airsofters or actors from Band of Brothers 
That's what I said, to look at photos online of the real deal, and then I also said...
There's plenty of pictures of other airsofters wearing paratrooper gear (download/file.php?id=3800&mode=view) so feel free to ask questions about what's best to get and what's comfortable/uncomfortable...
...to suggest that if he has a problem with his webbing or doesn't know how to wear it then there are plenty of people to ask.
Show me a man who will jump out of an airplane, and I'll show you a man who will fight!
General James M. Gavin
CRY HAVOC AND LET LOOSE THE DOGS OF WAR
Well maybe it's just me (I don't know much about US kit) but some of your advice to paperpirate seems contradictory:
the large square helmet from SOF is good! Looks great on the helmet too
but none of the real 101st guys seem to be wearing large mesh nets 
Looking good doesn't always equal looking accurate.
Drop the belt down about 3 inches using the adjusters on the suspenders
The soldier holding the machete is wearing his belt exactly like paperpirate. Is he doing it wrong too?
By posting a picture of yourself instead of an archive photo in response to a query on how to wear kit, you're effectively saying "Do it like we do".
Fearful Silence for the odd open day, wearing their WW2 kit.
Some of us will be there at the next open day though not in WW2 kit exactly.
And his belt is in the right place. Do not drop it. You wont be able to get into your pockets if you do.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
