I've been involved with Airsoft for a number of years, but I'm getting into WW2 stuff to expand my playing opportunities. I'm not too bothered about being 100% perfect from the start, but want to get there eventually, hence I don't want to buy anything now that won't suit later.
I'm looking at a 101st (D Day) loadout, and have already ordered a M42 jumpsuit from ebay. I've got my eye on a couple of helmets (although not airbourne ones - I'm assuming I can modify them) and have an idea for boots. I'll be going with a Thompson (Cyma with wooden furniture) as its easier and cheaper (I've too many expensive modern weapons). My questions are around webbing:
1. What model/colour should I be going for?
2. What the basic set up I will need for mags (I'll be going lo cap) and essential skirmish gear?
3. Should I be looking at 20 or 30 rnd mag pouches?
I'm going to Normandy in Aug, so hopefully I'lll pick up some goodies then, and if all goes well I hope to play at the Aug game.
Apologies if this info is elsewhere - I had a quick look and found nothing and I don't have the time to look deeper.
Thanks in advance.
Jon Steele
1st Sgt, Fox Company, 506th, 101st
OC
if you look at the kit guides section above that will show you a good example of the gear you want. but to answer your questions...
1. if you're going for a dday look you can have Tan or OD webbing as I believe both were about at that time. Most go for tan though as its more common and was more common earlier in the war.
2. if you're doing airborne the basic webbing set for a thompson loadout is: pistol belt, m36 suspenders, and then either a thompson mag bag or combo of pouches.
3. i believe the 30rnd pouches were later in the war and more for a specific unit.
sorry to be a little vague but I use a thompson mag bag so not sure of some of the specifics. others will be along to fill in my gaps shortly heh
Cheers guys, should have looked there first! Although there doesn't seem much info on a Thompson loadout.
Looks like it'll be pistol belt, suspenders, 1st Aid pouch, possibly 2 rigger pouches, a water bottle carrier and a mag bag. The rest can come later.
Jon Steele
1st Sgt, Fox Company, 506th, 101st
OC
For a Thompson loadout just lose the Garand belt and bandolier and replace with a mag bag or 5 cell pouch. Simple as.
HS
a mag bag is better as im short thompson pouch didnt feel comfortable so ive gone for a mag bag
How many mags can I get into a mag bag?
Jon Steele
1st Sgt, Fox Company, 506th, 101st
OC
6 + 1 in the gun, if your not carrying a musette pack then an Ammo bag on the belt can contain BB's and Pyros then you need a waterbottle and a First aid pouch thats all i have and all you need realy.
Jon - new kit guide up, esp. for you!
http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/zoom/us-101.html
Hi Jon, good to have you along! Thompson mag bags FTW if you're using lowcaps (that will be sweet sweet music to the Axis team's ears, I think they're sick of Thompson high caps!)
If you dont want to spend a lot of money,... I would recommed firstly an M1 Steel helmet (like you said you can turn them into a good looking M1C quite easily)
Secondly a sturdy pair of high leg brown boots (Corcorans are hard to come by at the moment)
Then the following in order of priority.
. Thompson Mag Bag
.. Pistol belt
... M1936 Suspenders
.... 1st Aid Carlisle 1st Aid pouch.
>> Thats the basis of the Paratroopers rig, anything more than that is not essential but looks good.
You may want to investigate the following as a expansion on what you have.
..... Felt pads to go under the suspender straps (stops the buggers digging in your shoulder when you have things weighing your belt down)
...... Musette Pack
....... E-Tool pouch - I wouldn't get the actual E-tool unless you're planning on digging holes, it weighs your kit down probably the most after magazines.
........ M3 Fighting knife,... Rigger pouches (for holding grenades),...drop down rope, cricket, whistle.... you can get quite silly with kit after this, mostly with collectors items that have no bearing on airsoft.
Do you have a .45? You can get a hip/shoulder holster for it, plus you can get the twin pistol mag pouch too which goes on your belt.
Or if you want you can use airborne rigger pouches which carry the same amount as Mag bags but attach to your belt and dont flap around.
I happen to be selling 2 of them aswell as an E tool cover lol 
Shameless mate! hehe
and a canteen,very handy on hot days
(REF) GUNMAN AIRSOFT
CO Easy Company,506th PIR,101st Airborne
And a pair of original unissued Shoepacs....very handy on those cold, snowy winter days. (£60 posted)
ahhh nice one chommer's. All i need is the webbing but i couldn't really decide what i needed. I was gonna go for the small rigger pouches, as ive got a mag bag, on SOF. Its very helpful.
Hey just a quick question around holsters...Whats more accurate to use for my squad leader look, hip or shoulder. I have a thompson setup?
Shameless mate! hehe
lol yer 
Hey just a quick question around holsters...Whats more accurate to use for my squad leader look, hip or shoulder. I have a thompson setup?
Go for the hip holster.
Cool cheers HS thats what i thought.
Shoulder holster is more comfortable from my point of view, but hip is more usual for an NCO.
Shoulder holsters weren't regular issue. I find they get in the way of your pockets too. There's already enough webbing around your torso without having to faff with that too.
Go for the hip holster, then you can wear it with a just on the pistol belt and look like a cowboy too.
In fact, if you want to take this further, .45s weren't issued in massive quantities to regulars anyway. You could just go with out one, they're next to useless in airsoft anyway. In the 5 or so years that I've been playing I don't think I've used it more than 5 times in anger.
