Cold War Impressions...

[dash]

Hello, I am Dash. I am an established member of the Illinois Airsoft community (which rather unfortunately seems to have gone down the drain in the past few years, at least in seeing those who actively post on our forums). I am a collector of Cold War militaria and since you guys have an impressions section I figured I'd show off a few of my kits! A lot of these I don't actually use for airsoft for risk of ruining the pieces or their value. Please excuse the rather goofy looks in some of these pictures... I can't ever seemto get a "normal" looking picture.

Soviet Motor Rifles Mid 1970's - 1991







Soviet Naval Infantry (non combat load) - 1960's - mid 1980's



Likely my rarest uniform, I also have the complete winter weight set and have almost completed the black webgear to go with uniform. All I need is the black E-tool cover and it's finished! Sadly that's easier said than found...

Soviet VDV Sniper - Afghanistan







USMC M60 gunner 1980's







Soviet Motor Rifles 1980's - 1991







Soviet GRU Afghanistan







USMC Vietnam Mid-Late War (this needs to be re-shot... There are some details I need to add!)







Navy SEAL Vietnam (I will be working on a more realistic belt kit this year rather than utilizing the BAR belt)







West German Bundeswehr 1960's- early 1980's







North Vietnamese Army "Regular"







If you have any questions or comments feel free to let me know!

[Tank]

I'm not a huge fan of the older stuff, however, you have a very impressive collection going there! Looks great!

[dash]

Thanks! For playing I usually stick to modern kit depending on the scenario... I have a Russian 45th Detached Recon Regiment impression as well as a Chinese PLA Airborne impression. I do use my Vietnam kit at least once a year at an Illinois Vietnam themed event called "Best of the Worst". I hope to use some of my Cold War stuff at Eastwind this year as well. Like I said though, I do try to keep a lot of these uniforms in pristine condition.

[Da Vinci - Да Винчи]

You do make a very good Russian, your GRU impression is probably the best out of them all, or perhaps the Bundeswehr. I wouldn't mind seeing your modern impressions, too, I need to set up a load out for my AK.

[Dallas]

I'm diggin' that Bundeswehr with the G3. Wooden furniture would make that G3 really look good with it.

[dash]

Thank you for the positive comments. I will post more pics of impressions as they are completed/when I have the time.

Dallas, I agree that a woodkit would look cool but it's not quite appropriate for the time frame. The original wooden stocked G3s weren't in service for very long before replaced with the "modernized' G3A3 that was standard issue until the late 1990's.

[Thor]

First, you have a very Soviet looking face.

Second, these are probably some of the best Soviet kits I have seen in a long time.

Third, yeah, I'm jelly.

[GrinchBiscuit]

Love that SEAL shit, although am I wrong assuming the BAR belt was used here and there during Nam?

Also, you should attend East Wind if you haven't already.

[Impulse]

Hey there dash, fellow Eastwinder here. You have a crazy amount of kit for your age!

I'm not too sure that you'd see the M1 helmet with the PASGT vest, and there's a few other details I'd be nitpicky about, but still. Legitimate moleskin loadout, Mitchell pattern helmet cover, etc etc... very nice, and pretty good promotion for the event

Hope to shoot you in March, tovarish.

[dash]

@ Grinch - Yes, the BAR belt was used but it would have been a bit heavy for a SEAL. SEALs primarily went into direct combat situations and usually didn't carry much on their belts other than grenades and a few ammo pouches. Sometimes canteens weren't even taken. I do have a pic of a SEAL wearing a BAR belt that he (supposedly) used for 40mm grenades, exclusively. The BAR belt can hold 18 mags with three 20 round mags in each pouch so you can imagine how heavy that would be when we're talking about fully loaded mags. BAR belts were a little more common with SOG guys which is the impression I originally bought the belt for. Nice avatar btw.

Impulse101 - The impression is based off of pictures of Marines during Operation "Urgent Fury". Here are just a few of those pictures:









The M1 helmet was issued to Marines for a bit longer than it was for the Army. Marines traditionally got the short end of the stick when it came to the "latest and greatest" back during the Cold War. I do think, however, that I should switch out the LC2 belt for an LC1.

I also do not have collar liners on any of my Soviet uniforms. I have a lot and just haven't gotten around to making any and sewing them on. The Naval Infantry were not made to have collar liners back when they were issued the black uniform.

I am hoping to make my first Eastwind in March!

[Impulse]

Ah, Marines. Sigh.

Get with Norris and Tilt about carpooling - although I'm sure some of the michigan crew can pick you up as well if need be - long drives deserve good company

[Dallas]

Aug 20, 2012 17:40:26 GMT -5 dash said:

Dallas, I agree that a woodkit would look cool but it's not quite appropriate for the time frame. The original wooden stocked G3s weren't in service for very long before replaced with the "modernized' G3A3 that was standard issue until the late 1990's.

'Tis a shame. I am still very jelly of the G3, wood or modern. Keep more of these coming!

[dash]

One of my favorite impressions!

Rhodesian Selous Scouts - Rhodesian Bush War







(Try to ignore the beacons of light that are my legs)

[Gunny87]

Wow I was expecting one or two not a dozen! +1 Awesome job man I'm mad jelly! Also have fun at Eastwind!

[GrinchBiscuit]

Hell yeah dude. Now all you need is to cover yourself in mud and grease for camouflage as well as a dead wildebeest to eat.