World War 2 Re-Enactment

[M1 Tanker]

I split the thread from the armor thread. This was a re-enactment of Operation Nordwind at Ft Indiantown Gap last weekend.

Here is a couple of pics, I'm still waiting on my unit to email me some. These are from doctordirt on the WW2 board.

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[weasel_master]

Do you still reenact Tanker? I would like to go to one of those sometime. Maybe I can make it to one in southern MN this summer.

[M1 Tanker]

Yep Weasel, I do...its an expensive hobby, but a lot of fun.

[Rampager]

Cool pics Tanker! I think that'd be a neat hobby to get into.

[Woodman in MO]

Yep Weasel, I do...its an expensive hobby, but a lot of fun.

Wow, that beats Civil War Reenacting which I used to do, the only thing we had to ride around on was horses.

[Norton]

Here is a couple, I'm still waiting on my unit to email me some. These are from doctordirt on the WW2 board.

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Are these photos from WW 2 or from a modern movie. The quality of photos is so good I can't tell. Where did they come from ?

[M1 Tanker]

Those are from a WW2 re-enactment I was at this weekend.

[wandering_ronin]

Hey Tanker,

Either that 234/3 is small, or that is the largest panzertruppe of the war!:icon_smile:

[M1 Tanker]

Ronin, I think they told me one time that it was 7/8 scale. Either way it looks nice.

[wandering_ronin]

It is sharp looking, any idea what they used as a chassis?

[M1 Tanker]

No I don't, but it is 4 wheel steering. I knew a group that had a Sd.Kfz.222 that they built from a Chevy Luv truck :) A buddy and I have talked many a time about building a 222, we just never get around to getting past the talking part. Exterior and safety are the concerns...the interior isn't important.

[Rampager]

Yes, by the looks of it it they did a great job building it and bringing it down to scale. The proportions look very good to me. I think if it were sitting by itself with no one in it it would look like the real deal from a short distance.

[M1 Tanker]

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[M1 Tanker]

And a couple of more.


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[Norton]

Those are from a WW2 re-enactment I was at this weekend.

Where did you guys get the Tiger. What is it built on? I mean it looks real.

[LorDiego]

wow, that is effing awesome.

[M1 Tanker]

its one of the T-34 conversions from Saving Private Ryan. Some guys in another unit bought it.

[wandering_ronin]

Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing Tanker. I saw probably the best repro Tiger I have ever seen on the Military Channel tonight. There was some show about military face-offs. The first half was aboout the Tiger vs. the Sherman. They had a mock-up of a late model Tiger that was built on a T55 chassis. The proportions on it looked pretty darn close. The wider "waffle pattern" tracks of the T55 were a big improvement over the T34 track plates. The rear drive sprocket and the funny shaped front idler were hard to conceal though. Still, it was an impressive looking vehicle.

[SteelCore]

I did some reenacting fer a while, but more in the 500-1500 time period. In that period, the tank was an armored guy on an armored horse. :) true armor cav, eh?

Some of my buds also did Rev War and WWII reenacting at the same time.

Thanks fer sharin!

I suddenly understand why you would pay the big bux for a working repro of an MP40 or STG44.

[GreenWolf]

People actually do this stuff, to this level? That's so cool! How can one find out more?

I don't know how to stream stuff, but here's a link to some appropriate music. The first verse repeats, but the guys sure sound like tankers.
http://www.worldwar2aces.com/panzerlied.mp3

[okie shooter]

Well glad to see the building you were at the reenactment were the right vintage for the equipment too.

[WildBillCody]

So what goes on there just dressing up and riding around? Don't get me wrong, I think it's great and great to keep the history alive but do they actually "fight" and if so, how does that work?
I think you guys need some real looking guns that would fire paintballs or something.
Not to group you in with the airsoft crowd :)
I have thought about making a repro half track out of an old chevy pickup, a US one is all just straight plate welded together.
I thought about a track from a bobcat.

[AK AJ]

No I don't, but it is 4 wheel steering. I knew a group that had a Sd.Kfz.222 that they built from a Chevy Luv truck :) A buddy and I have talked many a time about building a 222, we just never get around to getting past the talking part. Exterior and safety are the concerns...the interior isn't important.

What a GREAT way to resurrect a Chevy LUV truck (hell, the body of them usually rusted away before the engine ,tranny an frame did)Those parts WERE built like tanks. Cool hobby Tanker, thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

I think I see a new project in my future, me and my business partner have a junkyard of old cars that still run but with rusted out bodies we tinker with on the weekends,I might run this by him. I think It would be fun.

Hell we don't have vehical inspections in SC, folks might be seeing a Geo Prizm Panzer driving around Charleston in the near future.:tanker:

AJ

[M1 Tanker]

Depends on the event. Public display, show battles, living history, tactical battles, etc... Yes, we spent about 6 hours in the field actually fighting...and no paintballs/airsoft isn't what the hobby is about. I have been to 24 hour tacticals that go hot at 2200 friday night to 2200 saturday night....thats a lot of fun also.

The halftracks are converted Czech OT-810's....the American units have real halftracks, not conversions.

[XO3319]

Tanker

where is the best place to get the German field gear and uniforms?

I'm looking to do up a Fallshirmjager and am looking at repro sources

fantastic reenactment though

[M1 Tanker]

XO, couple of things. If you want just an impression, then it really doesn't matter. If you want to re-enact, find a unit and ask their authencity officer what is acceptable. For example, those Chinese uniforms that people like centerfire are selling are going to be questionable. My backup uniform is from Hong Kong and its ok...but really thin.

For boots, www.ssroom.com I have both the jacks and the low boots and they are the most comfortable I've ever owned....also the least expensive. I also have his MP40 mag pouches, MP40 and PPSH41.

For the uniform, i would get lostbattalions....damn nice and correct uniforms. Without a doubt it is where I would buy your trousers and tunic.

Here are the quality vendors:

http://www.atthefront.com/
http://www.1944militaria.com/
http://www.bayonetinc.com/
http://www.lostbattalions.com/
http://www.soldat.com/
http://www.grigsbymilitaria.com/
http://bunkermilitaria.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
http://www.ostfront.com/

There are always other places to get original stuff and a few more places to get repros....but those places will get you the right stuff.

[XO3319]

Tanker

appreciate it

Will give you a call

[Norton]

Tanker I had to post this photo I got of one of your sites. It is a very rare shot indeed. Your read on many websites it is unconfirmed if camo uniforms were issued to Army troops in Europe.. Well this is the proof. I see now why they withdrew it by August 44. You would think they were German troops at a distance. I do not re-enact but I am very interested in the small items that the WW 2 troop carried as well as the uniforms. Those are are great sites.

[M1 Tanker]

In the summer of 1944, the US Army issued a limited number of the 2 piece HBT camouflage uniform. Troops of the 41st Armored Infantry Battalion (2nd Armored Division) were the primary recipients. Due to a large number of "friendly fire" incidents, the uniforms were withdrawn around the end of August. Apparently, anyone wearing camouflage was considered to be German. Original examples are very rare are quite expensive today.

[SteelCore]

"Let me see your papers..." :D

[XO3319]

As Tanker said he reenacts the rule not the exception:chef:

[M1 Tanker]

"Let me see your papers..." :D

I've got papers :) Every German Soldat has a Soldbuch. It has everything in it, pay, promotions, eyeglasses, medical, dental, leave, transfers, etc... Fits right in your breast pocket and mine is all filled out :P

When the rest of my gear gets home via UPS from the last re-enactment I'll lay it out and show ya all the stuff I have.

[weasel_master]

I'm interested to see your setup.

[SteelCore]

WOw. pix sure!

I'll tellya, some re-enactment authenticity police can be harsh!

Those hobnail boots fromt he supply site are awesome....I like boots.

[Any lines on a pair of tanker boots, preferrably the german style with the stars-n-bars tread *and* the buckles?]

[M1 Tanker]

I can get you some US tanker boots Steelcore, but the only german ones I know guys get while stationed in Germany

[XO3319]

I am doing a FJ impression with Tanker's help

When I get the uniform together pics will follow once Chris has vetted me for correctness

[SteelCore]

Cool, CHeck your PM's, LMK

-Steely

[XO3319]

My uniform set from Lost Battalions so far

I am doing the uniform of a Falshirmjager in July 1944, an Obergefreiter probably from the 6th Regiment

Still looking for my jump boots

Ignore the Class As by the Type III Smock...I was doing my DA Photo yesterday

M40 Fliegerbluse and Fallshirmjager trousers

with M43 hat and Luftwaffe belt

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/6APr07M40M43FLigerbluseandtrousers.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/9Apr07M40Obergefrietera.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/9Apr07M40LFeagle.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/9Apr07M43a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/9Apr07TypeIIISmock.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wray71/9Apr07Smockeagle.jpg

The quality and attention to detail is fantastic

One of the snaps on the smock was missing and they are replacing it free of charge after I send it back

Living history is fun and expensive

[M1 Tanker]

Damn Lost Battalions does fine work. Everytime I see a Fliegerbluse I want to run out and get a luftwaffe impression together. When you get around to putting those tunic hooks in, gimme a hollar. They can be a pain.

Looks damn nice XO.

[XO3319]

It looks intuitive but damn little in this world actually is

My equipment set is coming together but the jump boots are elusive, maybe next month

[M1Marksman]

I was a WW2 reenactor in the late '70s-early'80s. WW2 HRS was the national club, First Special Service Force (U.S. & Canadian volunteers) was my unit. Since it was a special forces unit, we were allowed a variety of allied equipment. I wore an M-1936 cavalry 9-pocket ammo belt with a revolver ammo pouch in the blank space. I carried an M-1 Garand & a Victory Model revolver in a canvas Webley holster, plus a few dummy grenades & a couple bandoleers. When we did parades & static displays, I carried a Thompson replica & a .45 cal 1911 replica in a leather holster. I never got to Indiantown Gap, but did go to Metamora, Illinois & Weldon Springs, Missouri, where I got wounded (for real). Strained my leg from carrying too much stuff & got an infection from the brambles/thorn bushes. Almost got run over by a Hetzer, too. Good times. I wish I had pics from back then...

[gunkgy]

People actually do this stuff, to this level? That's so cool! How can one find out more?

I don't know how to stream stuff, but here's a link to some appropriate music. The first verse repeats, but the guys sure sound like tankers.
http://www.worldwar2aces.com/panzerlied.mp3




I like the music :):)

[Big Steve]

Damn that reproduction snow looks real as hell! Cool Pics Bud!
Steve

[Norton]

I like the music :):)

Cool music you posted isn't that the Panzer March? I remember that being sung by the Germans in the 1966 movie Battle of Bulge. I also liked the song the Germans sung in the 1969 movie Battle Of Britain

[Rampager]

Yup I remember it from that movie....cool song for the WWII buff like me. BTW, If you are looking for some original german marches try downloading Limewire and do a search.