|
Post by Enkidu on Mar 29, 2006 22:20:17 GMT -5
Good lookin'! The KJW is a great skirmish pistol for Vietnam Airsoft with one major drawback: the mags are near-impossible to find. If you find a place with them in stock let me know; I will do likewise.
Many period photos I saw showed the flack vest worn on top of everything and unzipped. It looks cool and relaxed, but is probably not SOP.
|
|
|
Post by Munin on Mar 30, 2006 11:03:59 GMT -5
Yeah, well, when the temperature is 104 degrees and the humidity is 100%, armor protection becomes secondary to dying of heat stroke. After all, the enemy might be able to hit you. But Mother Nature will kill you dead if you give her the chance.
|
|
|
Post by Jumprefusal on Mar 30, 2006 13:18:32 GMT -5
What is it about that vest that you want to know? You definetly need to dirty it up, get that bright reflectiveness off of it.
Let me edit this and add another 2 cents. One of the first things they teach us is not to let anything hang off. Roll it all up, especially those boot laces, tuck em in.
You are coming along nicely though, great setup. I think you've motivated me into doing it now (especially since I've been wanting to build an XM-177)
|
|
OPFOR
New Member
Posts: 151
|
Post by OPFOR on Mar 30, 2006 13:36:54 GMT -5
i'll post up a pic later of one i am working on. G&P all metal.
|
|
|
Post by Nightcrawler on Mar 30, 2006 16:25:14 GMT -5
I'm infinitely glad the nam theme is so contagious.
Rest assured I plan on breaking in my vest. I had recieved it in the mail that time and didn't have the time. I'll certainly tuck in my laces too. Thanks for the advice.
My history teacher wants me to wear all my gear for when we start covering the section on the Vietnam War in class. He's even clearing with the principal so I can bring my deactivated rounds and stuff. I'm pretty psyched because it's not often I get recognition for this particular interest.
Thanks again for all the input
|
|
|
Post by Jumprefusal on Mar 30, 2006 16:55:24 GMT -5
Just wait until you start buying the real stuff, and you realize how much money it costs. But you can't stop, because its like crack. I'd sell one of my testicles for some of the WWII stuff I want! Know anybody that wants one??? I'll throw a kidney in.
|
|
|
Post by Nightcrawler on Mar 30, 2006 18:55:30 GMT -5
A great deal of my stuff is real. My mitchell helmet cover, cigs, deet, web belt, suspenders, m14 mag pouch, buttpack, neckerchief, and .45 holster are all US issue and were made during the years of the war. I don't intend on replacing any of my replicas or 'close enoughs' with issued surplus. When I bought all my replica or later years items, I gave a shrug and decided it would be close enough. I'm cool with everything I got. I spent some time dirtying up my vest and it's looking a lot better. I noticed some velcro I can rip open to remove my kevlar inserts. Upon opening said velcro, I examined a kevlar insert and the serial number indicated that my vest was made in 1970. I was ecstatic to find out it fell within an ideal year. I still am unsure of it's country of origin and would love to know if anyone can throw me a bone. EDIT: I've been skimming the net and found out that kevlar was marketed until 1971 so I am confused as per my flak vest Edited yet again: I've included a picture of the serial number I took. Doesn't the circled number indicate the year? Forgive my ignoranc but I really couldn't tell between kevlar and ballistic nylon. Is there a way to distinguish what I got? I'm inquiring the guy I bought the vest from too. I don't think he'll be too helpful, to be honest.
|
|
|
Post by SWAT A4 on Mar 31, 2006 17:56:25 GMT -5
Looks awesome, Just need to start working out so you fill out the uniform . I'm skinny myself, but It doesn't show with the uniform I wear. Get some forearms and it will looks awesome I have nothing else to say.
|
|
|
Post by Nightcrawler on Apr 1, 2006 1:32:31 GMT -5
Yeah, I got total little bird arms. The fact that I'm drowning in that blouse doesn't help either
|
|
|
Post by Jumprefusal on Apr 1, 2006 10:22:40 GMT -5
Kevlar has a yellowish tint to it, and you can feel the weave. Kevlar also frays. What you have is layers of Nylon sewn together, turned 25 degrees each layer. I know this because it was my first job in the Army fixing composites on helicopters. That is just a serial number used by the company who produced the vest. It may (although I doubt it) include the year. Look at this You can see 8415-261-6635 on the tag. That is the NSN number. Above that is the date of Manufactor. Sometimes they put that date, sometimes they dont. Again that is a manufactorer thing I guess. I'm taking a stab in the dart by guessing you don't have these tags sewn into the back of that vest. Seen again here This is the last piece of gear you need Nothing like a flak diaper. *EDIT* Forgot to add, there were three types of vests in Vietnam, the M-1952, and M-1969 used by the Army, and M-1955 used by the USMC. Probably a few more. I'm guessing they were swapped around though knowing how that war went.
|
|
|
Post by lilvino on Apr 6, 2006 0:03:42 GMT -5
Gota tell you, as a Vietnam collector, I am drooling my self dehydrated. Every thing looks great, I am a little disapointed about the painting on the holster (assuming it is origional, if not who cares). I will tell you, for any collector dates are enough and you did a fine job proving authenticity. If you plan on playing with the stuff (and I cring while saying this) ditrying it up is a necessity. You want to look like you have spent some time in the bush. Just remember you are a PFC. from the 3d Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Please allow me to clear a few things up about the flack jacket. You are indead wearing the 3/4 collar m67 flack jacket. The origional tag you circled in red with the DSA100-70-C-2106 contains several parts of information, the contract number, several other things (of no importance except to collectors), and mostimportantly the date of manufature. You were corect in the date of manufature being 1970, this was a mid to late war item, which I am sorry to say does not match your field equipment. That doesn't mean your not portraying an early war soldier (who hasn't been promoted, ir has been demoted) and has been issued a new flack jacket. THat is the beautifull part a reenacting, nearly anything goes as long as it is period. Also, according to my source, the marines used a standard isue flack vest, the m-55 moddel, and the army started the war with the m-52 from Korea. let me recomend one of my best soarces, www.mooremilitaria.com which I have used for mane research papers. I also have several others, but this might be the most user friendly sight and if you need he offers any vietnam equipment you might need for sale as either origional (well used to new old stock) or reproduction. If you have any more questions let me know, post her, P.M. me, or e-mail me. I am looning forward to helping improve your look.
|
|
|
Post by Jumprefusal on Apr 14, 2006 14:29:21 GMT -5
Nighty! Need some updates man! Also i'd like to see some other Vietnam stuff if anybody has any gear.
|
|
|
Post by Nightcrawler on Apr 14, 2006 14:36:48 GMT -5
I haven't made any significant purchases but I have dirtied up my flak jacket some and put a peace sign button on it. I'll edit this post and put the pics on later. I don't think there will be any more dramatic additions to my getup. Just need to get my m14 and maybe a bandoleer or two. EDIT: I snapped the pics. Didn't feel like putting everything on but the button really is a nice touch I think. Enjoy. My compass pouch is relatively new (production wise). It was made in 79 so I need to dirty that up more too. I might even take some sand paper to that and the vest to get rid of some of that shine.
|
|
|
Post by Jacko on Apr 15, 2006 0:40:58 GMT -5
Ha! Nice stuff, Enki. I looked around at a few surplus stores in NC this week but everything was either overpriced or just about destroyed. :/
|
|
|
Post by Jumprefusal on Apr 16, 2006 9:12:33 GMT -5
that isn't a compass pouch, it is a first aid pouch that holds your dressing.
|
|