Now im a bit of a history buff, so Im looking to pull of a historically correct and accurate loadout when it comes to WW2 airsoft. Ive already gone through a weapons selection process and ended up with a Thompson, due to the fact im not much of a man for bolt action rifles and, well, I love Thompsons. Although the loadouts Im looking at building at the moment are American based (101st Airborne, 2nd Rangers), I would love to do a British loadout, because, well, im British. However, most of the research Ive done shows British troops with either 1928 Thompsons, not the M1A1 Military Thompson I have, or SMLEs, Sten guns and Bren guns. So my question is simply this, are there any true historical loadouts I can do for a British troop carrying a Thompson (eg Nothing like trooper using a captured M1A1 or a No2 Commando and use my M1A1 as a 1928). Also, those British uniforms look very itchy and heavy, any truth there?
Nothing non-commando or non-SAS... and even then it's stretching it a bit really... They'd have the 1928.
The serge is itchy yes... but you get used to it. However it's the wool shirts that are the bind for me. Luckily you can get away with cotton to a degree or if you don't take your shirt off anything underneath will do.
As for weight... nah... not heavy at all... Though of course they are rather warm in summer!
Thanks, I thought that might be the case so no worries. I assume nothing like tank crews or naval forces used the M1A1?
Theres a picture of a British soldier using one in Tunisia, so if you fancy dressing up in shorts and shirt.
Picture is in An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa 1942-1943 by Rick Atkinson.
How about in italy?
The Sten was not used in Italy due to constraints on the shipping of ammunition; .45 ACP was already being used in that theatre by the US Army and a requirement for the 9 mm pistol round used by the Sten would have been in competition with limited shipping space. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten )
Was the need for submachineguns filled by the M1928 or was M1A1 also issued to commomwealth troops in this theater?
I'd have thought it was mostly filled by M1928s, but if you can find a photo to prove otherwise like the one in Tunisia mentioned above then you've got your proof.
BTW, there's a very nice 1928 for sale here:
http://ww2aa.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... hread=6247
If he has the original M1A1 receiver and barrel then it's only a 10 minute job to switch between M1A1 and M1928. That's what I do!
$800 is a bit steep for me. Anyways, im more bothered about using the thompson than my nationality- Im more than happy to run a US loadout, which is what it looks like im doing
In the context of WWII airsoft (i.e. the various events that are run on this forum), it's perfectly acceptable to have an M1A1 with a British loadout. I'm sure nobody could say that in real life it never happened - it almost certainly did. I use an M1A1 for my British impression. It's entirely your choice.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
You have a WW2 weapon to go with a WW2 loadout. That's more than good enough. Don't get too hung up about "correct" weaponry and just get to some events and play!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Question:
Would there be any mileage in using a denix 1928
and
as a base for a custom AEG?
I ask because I own one of each...... would be as heavy as a real one but what a lt of fun eh? (the insides are just an empty box with a spring in for the cocking handle)
LOOK! I ham now four meggle man!
A001
That would be cool, PD - make it so!
(i.e. phone Bryn! 
)
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Cos if it is
Denix do one of these
Which could be a fantasmogorical base for something.
And I thnk they do a Garand,,,,,
THEY DO! LOOK!
LOOK! I ham now four meggle man!
A001
DieselMonkey has converted a Denix SMLE to an airsoft weapon and I think he looked at the m1928 as well (but I don't think he did it in the end). Maybe worth a PM?
Dieselmonkey already has converted denix SMLE into a springer... apparently it was an absolute nightmare.
I can understand why as well... the woodwork is not hollowed out for a barrel. I suspect the metalwork may be the same.
Oh and unfortunately it doesn't work... which is down to the dodgy springer that's inside it.
If the tommy gun can be hollowed out further to take an AEG gearbox, because I suspect it's not big enough yet, then maybe. But the fireselectors may be a major pain in the ass.
I'll take some exploratory piccies and start another thread (so as not to 
up this poor guy's thread)
This might be a fun project... for Bryn!!! 
LOOK! I ham now four meggle man!
A001
Dieselmonkey already has converted denix SMLE into a springer... apparently it was an absolute nightmare.
Yep, that. It's actually easier to convert a set of real SMLE wood/metalwork, than to mill out all the solid wood needed and convert the monkey-metal parts to be usable.
Oh, with the Garand the best conversion will probably be from an M14... until someone can work out how to make a nice top loading AEG... or something... I dunno what!
It's going to take some clever thinking to make something that's really better than the M14 conversions... without the disadvantages of the Marushin Gas M1.
WRT the 1928: You could try the guts out of one of those cheap 2-tones. If it works, change them to Cyma parts, which are dimensionally similar. If it doesn't, you've only killed a cheap 2-tone.
NZ soldier arriving in Italy looks to be carrying an M1A1 in this photo: [link]http://www.ngatoa.com/e107_images/newspost_images/new_zealand_soldiers_arrive_at_taranto_italy._14_oct_1943..jpg[/link]
It might be a stretch to suggest that British troops also used M1A1s in Italy, but I'd go with it for airsoft purposes, hell I'm still using a 'captured' MP40 (and most likely will continue to be until mid summer when I've got enough full time work to get a Marui).
Friends meet to part - love laughs at faith;
True foes, once met, are joined 'til death!
that thompson doesn't appear to have rear sight, unless my eyes are going?
Now a 'namsofter. I have an M72 L.A.W. for sale for 110 posted, PM if interested.
