A loadout too far

[Russe11]

http://www.gunmanforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12012

This may be fun if we can get a few ppl for it, I believe they do a lot of this sort of thing though so I probably won't commit to it until I get my loadout sorted.

 

[armysurplusandtoys]

ok had a look what i do have to hand at the moment is the cross over straps? the rest is hard if you are wanting the ww2 as its all going up in price at the moment. Also if you're allergic to the wool the clothing may be an issue but how close do you want to look?

 

[Russe11]

Webbing can be post war as long as it's P37, no-one will notice black steel fasteners instead of brass. Troops used to let the brass tarnish and even blacken it over a fire in warzones anyway. I was going to cut corners on the clothing to start with to save money. The webbing, helmet, helmet net, sling and puttees or gaiters would be the important bits atm.

I might make do with some modern No.2 uniform trousers and shirt from britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk for now, I bet they haven't really changed the design much of the non combat uniform since WW2

 

[Russe11]

BTW, my other pass-time ins cycling. So I've been looking at these:

Its the BSA paratrooper bicycle, they dropped them with the troops so they could move to their objective faster. They come apart in the middle for transportation. Unfortunately they cost a fortune but one day I might afford the Pashley replica and attach fake connectors to the tubes

They were apparently a very common choice of bike in certain areas of Holland in the late 40's-50's, can't think why

 

[Russe11]

Just found this web site:

http://www.cobbatoncombat.co.uk/sales/webbing.htm

May be the solution to all the webbing issues. They also have British kevlar helmets for Ian from £7.50.

I feel a day out may be in order.

 

[Ian_Gere]

I don't want a kevlar helmet, Russ. I've got 2 and one of them I CBA to fix up

 

[Russe11]

So, the latest on this. I have emailed Cobbaton and they are just checking which parts of my shopping list they have and will get back to me with a price.

Had an email yesterday telling me that my smock had reached the stage of being packed. I'm guessing it will arrive eventually. They may be slow but at least they keep you informed

 

[Ian_Gere]

I emailed them Tuesday and they still haven't replied.

 

[Russe11]

If only you had kept the uniform and not sold it to buy alcohol eh Ian?

 

[Ian_Gere]

You cheeky cnut!

Puttees

 

[Russe11]

You cheeky cnut!

Puttees

Click to shrink...

I couldn't resist

They also have battledress jackets (but too small for me)

http://www.meanandgreen.com/army/Dutch_Army/WW2_Style_Dutch_Battledress_Jacket/2180/2952.html

 

[Russe11]

Found the smock I ordered from Germany here

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/british-militaria/wwii-1940-s.html

Cheaper if you take into accound shipping.

 

[Russe11]

BTW, looks like the cheap Stens have sold out

http://www.landwarriorairsoft.com/acatalog/BSA-STEN-MKII-AS16758B.html#.UtnRBNLFKmw

Taiwangun.com http://www.taiwangun.com/en/agm-058

I have ordered a plastic American helmet from amazon. My hope is that if I reshape it slightly, I can get a cheap airbourne helmet that won't notice under some netting and scrim. It says suitable for Adults and Children, so I'm guessing it will be too small as a US helmet, making it about right

 

[Russe11]

Finally found some King arms mags http://www.airsoftarmoury.co.uk/acatalog/KA-MP40--1143.html

I did in the process discover that SRC makes MP40 mags in 110 and 280 round capacities. Not sure about compatibility though and the idea of winding a high cap with the gun tilted sideways doesn't appeal.

 

[Ian_Gere]

Sidewinder...? Balls mate. TBH it's just as well they've all gone - i've got too many projects on the go as it is and yeah, as much as i could cheerfully walk around in one of those Denison smocks, i wouldn't get much use out of the gun or the rest of the loadout and besides, fuck the boots. I tried a pair on once, back when i was about 17 and my feet were like goat hooves from all th walking around hills in boots i used to do - ammo boots 2 feet 0 :lol:

I think that helmet idea may work. Just take the turned over 'brim' lip bit off and you're pretty much there. I think the MK2 may have slightly flatter sides than the yank lid, but it may be possible to shape the plastic with something cylindrical to mould it using boiling water. You'd want to have a practice run with the bits you cut off mind, because when plastic goes soft from hot water it happens in an instant and goes floppy in all directions - i'd imagine the best way would be to use some kind of ceramic mixing bowl and press it against one side, inside, squashing against the bottom of a bath - maybe get some help from someone else to dribble the water out of a kettle bit at a time.

If you want any authentic looking scrim I've got a listing in the Gear section of the Classifieds.

Edit: here be dra... helmet nets

 

[Russe11]

Yup, thats exactly what I had in mind, trim the lip off and shape it with a bit of heat if needed. Or possibly use some epoxy putty to reshape the whole exterior.

I will probably have the sten with me at OP: Shining light for you to play with anyway, I'm even toying with using it as my main gun and sticking to pistol for inside but the sensible side of me keeps telling me an MP5 is somewhat more conservative on ammo

 

[Russe11]

Helmet is almost sorted. I used a stanley knife to cut the lip at the front off, then trimmed the sides as well to make a straight edge whichever direction you look at it from. I will need a bit of foam to make it comfortable and a chip strap but at present it looks like an airbourne helmet even without netting and scrim. Not bad for £8 and 20 mins work

 

[Ian_Gere]

Let's have a look then?

 

[Russe11]

Let's have a look then?

Click to shrink...

Jeez, always wanting pics. I'll put my phone on charge and take a pic in a bit then.

 

[Ian_Gere]

Jeez, always wanting pics. I'll put my phone on charge and take a pic in a bit then.

Click to shrink...

That's what she said. At least I think it was her phone that needed charging...