Introduction

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Getting the kit right is exceptionally important to providing successful and enjoyable displays.  Many people who visit re-enactment displays will have either living or fought in the war, or be knowledgeable on the subject, they will inevitably and justifiably point out flaws in your outfit.

Being a hobby and not a business, each member has a responsibility to buy and maintain their own equipment.  The group will at all times try and assist new members by lending them as much equipment as possible to get started.  All you will ever need is your own personal equipment, all additional equipment such as fixed weapons, emplacements and tents are purely optional.

As the group develops we are building more and more spare equipment so that beginners can get started with the group as quickly as possible.  Currently, we have spare weapons and webbing that can be used by new recruits, but no spare clothing.  See the sub sections of 'Gear Up; for more information on the equipment we use and what you will potentially need to both get started and long term.

For those with previous WW2 re-enactment experience, you may well have equipment that is suitable, as despite the unique appearance of the British airborne, many individual parts of their equipment is the same as all other elements of the British army.

Using Primary Source Material

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Looking at original photos and video, as well as reading sources of the time, is a great way to pick up information on what kit should be carried, the variations and standards.  However, we must all be careful of two pitfalls in our equipment.  On the one hand, we do not want to be 100% uniformed and regulation, as that simply was not the case, but on the other hand you must get the proportions right.

A classic example of this problem would be this picture to your left.  Many people look at this picture and are immediately drawn to the fact that he has a thigh holster, just as is typical of modern armed police and some military personnel.  The picture was taken by a Dutch civilian during market Garden, the man therefore being from 1st Airborne Division.  There is no doubt that this particular man wore that holster, however, we must look further in to it.  The holster is a tank crew holster and some sources state that they were popular with the airborne, but as far as we know, this is the only image showing one being worn.  With this in mind, it could be acceptable for one member of a British airborne re-enactment group to wear one, but beyond that, it is simply unrealistic.

Whenever considering using non-regulation equipment, captured equipment, or wearing standard equipment in a non-regulation way, check with the group leaders first.  We don't want to stop anyone using cool equipment, but we do want to ensure that the proportions of everything stay realistic and true as a representation.