Airborne uniform reference question

spect_spidey · Post by **spect_spidey** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:31 pm

I have been looking on the internet, but I am having a hard time finding an answer or any pictures to determine the answer. Here is my question?

Was there much difference between the uniforms worn by the Airborne divisions in WW II and Vietnam?

The reason I ask is my local Walmart has one of the M41 Walker Bulldog 1:18 tanks and it comes with a soldier wearing a uniform with an Airborne patch, but a Vietnamese head. I was wondering if I could take that body and put a different head on it to make a WW II paratrooper.

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:20 pm

Some of you figure pros should know the answer. Are the S1 US Army figure heads compatable with the later para bodies?? That would really be your only option in this case.....

-Ski

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:40 pm

Uniforms aside, I don't know if it would be so great. Doesn't the M41 pack-in guy have pajama bottoms or does he have fatigues? If he has fatigues I would make a VN figure and trade that for a WWII para.

The S1 heads aren't a smooth swap but para heads go on VN figs great. One of the best head swaps is Davis on a VN body - Perfect.

I think if you want some WWII airborne, and you don't mind the green unis, get the MM set and work with those guys. Some extra Davis arms and you are in business.

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:35 pm

The Walker driver is in all fatigues - no jammies.

spect_spidey · Post by **spect_spidey** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:14 am

Thanks for the replies. I just might have a plausible reason to get this tank now.

Razor17019 · Post by **Razor17019** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:10 am

spect_spidey,
If you get the M41 Walker tank with VN figure, I would swap you a para for him. I already have a winter Walker and don't want to purchase another tank to get the figure.

email me: wave17019@fuse.net

Thanks!

spect_spidey · Post by **spect_spidey** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:20 am

Thanks for the offer to trade, but I just wanted to know if there was any difference between WWII and Vietnam Airborne uniforms. Since Airborne used M1943 uniforms near the end of WWII, did Airborne use the M1943 at the beginning of the Vietnam War or had the uniforms changed in the 20 or so years since WW II ended?

rmoore456 · Post by **rmoore456** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:10 pm

spect_spidey wrote:I have been looking on the internet, but I am having a hard time finding an answer or any pictures to determine the answer. Here is my question?

Was there much difference between the uniforms worn by the Airborne divisions in WW II and Vietnam?

The reason I ask is my local Walmart has one of the M41 Walker Bulldog 1:18 tanks and it comes with a soldier wearing a uniform with an Airborne patch, but a Vietnamese head. I was wondering if I could take that body and put a different head on it to make a WW II paratrooper.

The Airborne during Vietnam wore the same uniform as the regular infantry. In Vietnam they would wear the jungle fatigues which were loosely based on the WWII M42 jump suit. They were both designed by the same officer, William Yarborough. The big difference would be the gear. Vietnam web gear is different than what was used in WWII.

Ray

spect_spidey · Post by **spect_spidey** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:05 pm

rmoore456 - Thanks for the clarification. So if I understand you correctly, if the figure with the Bulldog doesn't have any web gear on him then I could replace his head with an American WW II figure head and accessories for gear.

rmoore456 · Post by **rmoore456** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:40 pm

spect_spidey wrote:rmoore456 - Thanks for the clarification. So if I understand you correctly, if the figure with the Bulldog doesn't have any web gear on him then I could replace his head with an American WW II figure head and accessories for gear.

I haven't seen which figure is being included with the Walker, but from what I understand no.

Ray

spect_spidey · Post by **spect_spidey** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:50 pm

Well, the Walker that I can buy at my local Walmart has the Viet Cong head, olive drab torso with rolled up sleeve arms, and an Airborne patch on the sleeve. I can't see his legs since he is in the turret. But if the Vietnam Airborne wore modified M42 jumpsuits, which at the beginning of the Vietnam War would have been olive drab not camo, wouldn't it work as long as there was no webbing?

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Airborne uniform reference question

Airborne uniform reference question

ahh..

Re: Airborne uniform reference question