Post by TheRock918 on Dec 22, 2011 2:45:12 GMT -5
Hello MiA, as well as Ratchet, I am in the process of building my WWII USMC impression. Ratchet's guide is useful as it has a lot of reference photo's but not a lot of links to gear and what types of pouches to use and such. WWII airsoft is difficult to start as you don't really know what to look for or how it really was setup. I will show you how to do that and hopefully make it easier for you if you decide to do a WWII impression, which is actually pretty interesting.
Headgear- The M1 steel-pot helmet. Seen with a reversible helmet covers typically after 1943, after the invasion of Guadalcanal. Pre 1943, you would usually not see any helmet covers.
AtTheFront is a great place to purchase the M1 steelpot but many other WWII reenacting websites have them. You could also usually pick them up at a surplus store for cheap. AtTheFront also sells the reversible helmet cover.
As for "soft" headgear, there is the M1943 HBT cover and the wool jeep cap. Camouflaged HBT cover's ARE NOT CORRET. These were never made. The HBT cover could be worn without the helmet or under it, which was common, as was the jeep cap.
Utility Uniform- P41 HBT's throughout the war. These were the most common seen uniform during the war. The P42 camouflage uniform originally came as a one piece body suit. These were disfavored as you pretty much had to take it off to relieve yourself exposing your body to the bugs and stuff of that type. They later came as the trousers and blouse. The full uniform was worn mainly on Tarawa and either the top or bottom later on but not usually both but the helmet cover was used until early Vietnam. It was also common practice for the Marines to stencil their first initial and their last name on the back of the blouse.
Sadly, AtTheFront no longer produces their HBT's but they do still sell their P42's. Spearhead Militaria and WWII impressions make both the P41's and P42's. The pictures I linked are of Spearhead Militaria's.
Footwear- The USMC Boondockers. Several brands produce them but the ones I have found most satisfying are WWII impressions. WWII Impressions are correct because the sole pattern is correct and they have 9 eyelets instead of the 7 as the Army roughouts did. AtTheFront's sole pattern is correct and they have the 7 eyelets. Really the only difference from Marine Boondockers and Army Roughouts is that the Army boots have 7 eyelets, different sole, and brads on the boot. WWII Impressions are the way to go. They are also pretty comfy.
Another item I can put into this category are leggings. The difference between Army and Marine leggings is the color is more golden than the Army's and the Army's have more hooks and eyelets. The leggings were usually only worn during a landing then discarded as they were clumsy and a nuisance. The leggings could be worn over the trousers and boot or over the boot and under the trousers. Veterans of previous battles may not even have worn them during a landing at all and as the war progressed, most Marines weren't wearing them unless they were stationed on a military base.
These can be purchased at AtTheFront or WWII Impressions.
Fieldgear- Fieldgear varied throughout different roles. I will detail Rifleman, BAR Gunner, Officer, and Submachine gunner. As with belt kits, they always varied from person to person.
Rifleman- The Rifleman, the base of the Marine Corps would be issued with an M1 Garand. He would be issued the USMC Cartridge belt, 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch, M1941 Pack with the poncho and shelter half. Khaki shelter half and poncho pre 1943 and Camouflage thereafter, and the T Handle cover and shovel.
BAR Gunner- The BAR Gunner would be issued with M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. His issed gear would be the M1937 BAR Belt, 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch, M1941 Pack with the poncho and shelter half. The only true difference from the Rifleman is the BAR belt.
Submachine Gunner- The Submachine Gunner, the particular loadout I am building myself would be issued an M1936 Pistol belt, either a 5 cell 20 round magazine pouch or a 3 cell 30 round magazine pouch. Usually the 5 cell for early war and the 3 cell for later. 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch. I have seen Submachine Gunners wearing either the M1941 pack or a Musette pack. The M1941 being more common but the Musette pack WAS in fact used. Rank permitting, some Submachine Gunners wore M1916 holsters with an M1911A1 pistol. They would also have a double .45 pouch.
Officer- An officer would be issued the M1 Carbine and M1911A1. His gear would be the M1936 pistol belt, he could wear the M1941 suspenders if he chose. He would have a double carbine ammo pouch and a double .45 ammo pouch. His pack would vary from person to person but you will almost never see an officer with the M1941. He would have a Musette pack or a Canvas officer field bag. You would also be able to wear a shoulder holster, which was common with officers as well.
AtTheFront and WWII Impressions carry all of this gear but you can also find a bulk of it across the internet. Again, the little bits of gear could vary from person to person but the main parts of it should be correct.
Weapons- Many weapons were used by Marines in WWII. I will post the weapons in common usage that actually have a replica or if a replica is being produced of the weapon.
M1911A1- The M1911A1 was the issued sidearm of the Marine Corps during WWII. NCO's, Officers, and Marines with roles that warranted the use of the M1911A1/Colt .45 were issued them.
They are produced by many airsoft brands such as WE, TM, KJW, and many other brands.
M1 Garand- The M1 Garand was the main weapon of the Marines up until the M14 was adopted in the early 1960's. The M1 Garand was issued to Rifleman and officers that preferred to carry them. The M1 Garand is produced by Marushin in 6mm and 8mm. ICS is producing an AEG M1 Garand but little is known about it.
M1 Carbine- The M1 Carbine was issued to mortar crews, machine gun crews, radio operators, and the like. It was also carried by Marine officers and some NCO's. The M1 Carbine was produced by Marushin but is discontinued. Marushin now makes the M2 Carbine, the improved version, used in the Korean War. The differences are minor aesthetics but the most noticable is the bayonet lug and that it supports automatic fire. You could pass off with the M2 but it wouldn't be completely accurate.
M1903 Springfield- The M1903 was the standard issue rifle of the Marines pre 1943 and in small numbers through the rest of the war. Most accurate for a Guadalcanal impression. People custom make Springfield's but no manufacturers produce it. A prop gun company makes one but it is around 1200.
Thompson M1928- The M1928 Thompson Submachine gun was used throughout the war but in smaller numbers as it progressed. Was used with 20 or 30 round stick magazines and supported a 50 round drum. Was the only Thompson seen pre 1943 and was seen in fewer numbers as the war came to an end. The CYMA "Typewriter" is an incorrect model of the M1928. The CYMA has the bolt on the side instead of the top and several more aesthetic differences. ARES is making a correct M1928 with blowback in both versions, the "Typewriter" and military.
Thompson M1A1- The M1A1 Thompson Submachine gun was used post 1943 through the rest of the war. The M1A1 supported both 20 and 30 round stick magazines. It would not accept drum magazines. For an accurate impression, do not use drum magazines with the M1A1. CYMA produces the Thompson M1A1.
Reference Photos- TBA
Headgear- The M1 steel-pot helmet. Seen with a reversible helmet covers typically after 1943, after the invasion of Guadalcanal. Pre 1943, you would usually not see any helmet covers.
AtTheFront is a great place to purchase the M1 steelpot but many other WWII reenacting websites have them. You could also usually pick them up at a surplus store for cheap. AtTheFront also sells the reversible helmet cover.
As for "soft" headgear, there is the M1943 HBT cover and the wool jeep cap. Camouflaged HBT cover's ARE NOT CORRET. These were never made. The HBT cover could be worn without the helmet or under it, which was common, as was the jeep cap.
Utility Uniform- P41 HBT's throughout the war. These were the most common seen uniform during the war. The P42 camouflage uniform originally came as a one piece body suit. These were disfavored as you pretty much had to take it off to relieve yourself exposing your body to the bugs and stuff of that type. They later came as the trousers and blouse. The full uniform was worn mainly on Tarawa and either the top or bottom later on but not usually both but the helmet cover was used until early Vietnam. It was also common practice for the Marines to stencil their first initial and their last name on the back of the blouse.
Sadly, AtTheFront no longer produces their HBT's but they do still sell their P42's. Spearhead Militaria and WWII impressions make both the P41's and P42's. The pictures I linked are of Spearhead Militaria's.
Footwear- The USMC Boondockers. Several brands produce them but the ones I have found most satisfying are WWII impressions. WWII Impressions are correct because the sole pattern is correct and they have 9 eyelets instead of the 7 as the Army roughouts did. AtTheFront's sole pattern is correct and they have the 7 eyelets. Really the only difference from Marine Boondockers and Army Roughouts is that the Army boots have 7 eyelets, different sole, and brads on the boot. WWII Impressions are the way to go. They are also pretty comfy.
Another item I can put into this category are leggings. The difference between Army and Marine leggings is the color is more golden than the Army's and the Army's have more hooks and eyelets. The leggings were usually only worn during a landing then discarded as they were clumsy and a nuisance. The leggings could be worn over the trousers and boot or over the boot and under the trousers. Veterans of previous battles may not even have worn them during a landing at all and as the war progressed, most Marines weren't wearing them unless they were stationed on a military base.
These can be purchased at AtTheFront or WWII Impressions.
Fieldgear- Fieldgear varied throughout different roles. I will detail Rifleman, BAR Gunner, Officer, and Submachine gunner. As with belt kits, they always varied from person to person.
Rifleman- The Rifleman, the base of the Marine Corps would be issued with an M1 Garand. He would be issued the USMC Cartridge belt, 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch, M1941 Pack with the poncho and shelter half. Khaki shelter half and poncho pre 1943 and Camouflage thereafter, and the T Handle cover and shovel.
BAR Gunner- The BAR Gunner would be issued with M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. His issed gear would be the M1937 BAR Belt, 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch, M1941 Pack with the poncho and shelter half. The only true difference from the Rifleman is the BAR belt.
Submachine Gunner- The Submachine Gunner, the particular loadout I am building myself would be issued an M1936 Pistol belt, either a 5 cell 20 round magazine pouch or a 3 cell 30 round magazine pouch. Usually the 5 cell for early war and the 3 cell for later. 2 Canteen covers with canteens (Either first pattern or "Crossed" pattern) M1941 Suspenders, USMC First Aid pouch. I have seen Submachine Gunners wearing either the M1941 pack or a Musette pack. The M1941 being more common but the Musette pack WAS in fact used. Rank permitting, some Submachine Gunners wore M1916 holsters with an M1911A1 pistol. They would also have a double .45 pouch.
Officer- An officer would be issued the M1 Carbine and M1911A1. His gear would be the M1936 pistol belt, he could wear the M1941 suspenders if he chose. He would have a double carbine ammo pouch and a double .45 ammo pouch. His pack would vary from person to person but you will almost never see an officer with the M1941. He would have a Musette pack or a Canvas officer field bag. You would also be able to wear a shoulder holster, which was common with officers as well.
AtTheFront and WWII Impressions carry all of this gear but you can also find a bulk of it across the internet. Again, the little bits of gear could vary from person to person but the main parts of it should be correct.
Weapons- Many weapons were used by Marines in WWII. I will post the weapons in common usage that actually have a replica or if a replica is being produced of the weapon.
M1911A1- The M1911A1 was the issued sidearm of the Marine Corps during WWII. NCO's, Officers, and Marines with roles that warranted the use of the M1911A1/Colt .45 were issued them.
They are produced by many airsoft brands such as WE, TM, KJW, and many other brands.
M1 Garand- The M1 Garand was the main weapon of the Marines up until the M14 was adopted in the early 1960's. The M1 Garand was issued to Rifleman and officers that preferred to carry them. The M1 Garand is produced by Marushin in 6mm and 8mm. ICS is producing an AEG M1 Garand but little is known about it.
M1 Carbine- The M1 Carbine was issued to mortar crews, machine gun crews, radio operators, and the like. It was also carried by Marine officers and some NCO's. The M1 Carbine was produced by Marushin but is discontinued. Marushin now makes the M2 Carbine, the improved version, used in the Korean War. The differences are minor aesthetics but the most noticable is the bayonet lug and that it supports automatic fire. You could pass off with the M2 but it wouldn't be completely accurate.
M1903 Springfield- The M1903 was the standard issue rifle of the Marines pre 1943 and in small numbers through the rest of the war. Most accurate for a Guadalcanal impression. People custom make Springfield's but no manufacturers produce it. A prop gun company makes one but it is around 1200.
Thompson M1928- The M1928 Thompson Submachine gun was used throughout the war but in smaller numbers as it progressed. Was used with 20 or 30 round stick magazines and supported a 50 round drum. Was the only Thompson seen pre 1943 and was seen in fewer numbers as the war came to an end. The CYMA "Typewriter" is an incorrect model of the M1928. The CYMA has the bolt on the side instead of the top and several more aesthetic differences. ARES is making a correct M1928 with blowback in both versions, the "Typewriter" and military.
Thompson M1A1- The M1A1 Thompson Submachine gun was used post 1943 through the rest of the war. The M1A1 supported both 20 and 30 round stick magazines. It would not accept drum magazines. For an accurate impression, do not use drum magazines with the M1A1. CYMA produces the Thompson M1A1.
Reference Photos- TBA
