Post by masterchief on Sept 23, 2009 2:52:49 GMT 8
Hi troops,
From time to time I will update you all on Allied uniforms used during the course of the war. This will help WW2 enthusiast and reenactors with their gear. Today I’ll post the airborne getup, starting with the Jump Uniform:
The uniform is called M42, this was used by all Airborne units during the war. The M42 was OD #3 and some specimens sometimes appear khaki despite the fact that upon issue it may well be a more greenish color. It contains four pockets with two button snaps on each. Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the uniform, however, the M42 was often reinforced with a thicker, more tough canvas on the elbows, crotch and knees. –wiki
Here is a nice specimen from the 82nd Airborne:
Now for the helmets:
Helmet insignia
Focus: The 101st was distinguished partly by its helmet decorations. The soldiers used card suits (diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs) to indicate the regiment to which they belonged. The only exception being the 187th, who were added to the division later.
• These insignias were first seen in World War II, and can still be seen on 101st Division soldiers today.
o 327th: Clubs (♣) (Currently worn by the 1st Brigade Combat Team; seen in 1949 movie Battleground (film))
o 501st: Diamonds (♦) (Currently 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment is part of the 4th Brigade (ABN), 25th Infantry Division in Alaska.) (The Diamond is currently used by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade)
o 502d: Hearts (♥) (Currently worn by the 2d Brigade Combat Team)
o 506th: Spades (♠) (Currently worn by the 4th Brigade Combat Team; seen in miniseries Band of Brothers (TV miniseries))
o 187th: Torii() (Currently worn by the 3d Brigade Combat Team; not during World War II, when the 187th Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division.) -wiki
The Airborne used Corcoran jump boots, but were also removed by the M43 Combat Boots. This particular change was ferociously challenged by the airborne, as the double-buckled cuff at the top of the boots could sometimes catch parachute static lines and seriously injure a jumper.
For the Helmet, let us say you will be doing 101st Airborne 506:
M1 WW2 helmet, it is a front seam swivel bail M1C model as used by the US Airborne in WW2.
506th: Spades (♠) (Currently worn by the 4th Brigade Combat Team; seen in miniseries Band of Brothers (TV miniseries)
This is an officer insignia at the back of the M1.
For the gears, if you want to go about acquiring what you will need over ebay or in Hong Kong:
From time to time I will update you all on Allied uniforms used during the course of the war. This will help WW2 enthusiast and reenactors with their gear. Today I’ll post the airborne getup, starting with the Jump Uniform:
The uniform is called M42, this was used by all Airborne units during the war. The M42 was OD #3 and some specimens sometimes appear khaki despite the fact that upon issue it may well be a more greenish color. It contains four pockets with two button snaps on each. Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the uniform, however, the M42 was often reinforced with a thicker, more tough canvas on the elbows, crotch and knees. –wiki
Here is a nice specimen from the 82nd Airborne:
Now for the helmets:
Helmet insignia
Focus: The 101st was distinguished partly by its helmet decorations. The soldiers used card suits (diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs) to indicate the regiment to which they belonged. The only exception being the 187th, who were added to the division later.
• These insignias were first seen in World War II, and can still be seen on 101st Division soldiers today.
o 327th: Clubs (♣) (Currently worn by the 1st Brigade Combat Team; seen in 1949 movie Battleground (film))
o 501st: Diamonds (♦) (Currently 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment is part of the 4th Brigade (ABN), 25th Infantry Division in Alaska.) (The Diamond is currently used by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade)
o 502d: Hearts (♥) (Currently worn by the 2d Brigade Combat Team)
o 506th: Spades (♠) (Currently worn by the 4th Brigade Combat Team; seen in miniseries Band of Brothers (TV miniseries))
o 187th: Torii() (Currently worn by the 3d Brigade Combat Team; not during World War II, when the 187th Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division.) -wiki
The Airborne used Corcoran jump boots, but were also removed by the M43 Combat Boots. This particular change was ferociously challenged by the airborne, as the double-buckled cuff at the top of the boots could sometimes catch parachute static lines and seriously injure a jumper.
For the Helmet, let us say you will be doing 101st Airborne 506:
M1 WW2 helmet, it is a front seam swivel bail M1C model as used by the US Airborne in WW2.
506th: Spades (♠) (Currently worn by the 4th Brigade Combat Team; seen in miniseries Band of Brothers (TV miniseries)
This is an officer insignia at the back of the M1.
For the gears, if you want to go about acquiring what you will need over ebay or in Hong Kong:
