p51 wrote:
Doing an AAF impression is about one of the most expensive impression you can do unless you get into automatic weapons or vehicles. That's why so few folks do it (that and most re-enactors don't fit in the smaller sized original equipment you find). Also, some of the items are just so impossibly hard to locate and aren't being made in reproductions, so many people stop short of the parachute harness for some reason. Many "AAF re-enactors" have a flight suit, A-2, shoes and a cap, and that's it. Very few have all the complete gear. Don't take my word for it, look at most of the photos on the group websites and tell me how many of them even have parachutes on or in the display photos! A lot of folks also like wearing the PTO cotton uniforms even though they do a ETO impression because it's more comfortable (but also more historically inaccurate) that way.
P51;
You’re right about the expense of AAF stuff, but I also think it can be one of the most inexpensive ways to get into re-enacting. As long as you’re willing to do a SWPA or MTO impression. There are lots of B-25’s out there, and the US didn’t use them in England, so khaki’s are a good and cheap way to start. Now I might get some “flak” for this, but every AAF re-enactor doesn’t have to have a whole complete kit. I’ve always said that the single most important piece of AAF re-enacting is the Mae West. The minute you put one on, it says “AVIATION”!
Olive, khaki, leather whatever you got under it, you put that on and it screams aviation.
I have photos of a combat pilot in the ETO (B-26) flying missions with a grey sweat shirt, khaki pants, shoulder holster, 50 mission “Crush” and sneakers!
I also have photos of B-25 pilots in the CBI flying with shorts and a t-shirt. None of them used O2 masks either since it was all low level stuff.
Khaki’s are easy, you can get a garrision cap cheap, and if you fork over the cash for a decent Mae West, you’ve got the basic equipment.
In addition, the crews didn’t walk around all day with their parachutes and heavy leather gear on. That was only when they were suiting up for a mission or just returning. Granted, when you’re with the public you want to show the gear and explain it, but as it warms up, you can very quickly ruin some very expensive gear.
Also, if the re-enactment group is portraying a mission ready crew, it’s understandable that they should all have appropriate gear. But I’ve seen very well known groups, known for their “accuracy” and demanding, member flight gear requirements, portray crews in big color books that don’t even have the right equipment. In one shot, half had A-8 O2 Masks and the other half had A-14’s. That would have never happened in real life since once the aircraft changed from a constant flow to a demand O2 system, there would never be a mix of mask styles. Yet these guys were considered the experts. Believe it or not, they were debated about and were more concerned about the Jeep they used on the shoot, as it didn’t have combat rims!
To get all the stuff, and get it right for an AAF impression, it’s going to costs thousands of dollars. But there are less expensive AND accurate ways to get started.
Blue skies,
Jerry