Luftwaffe Impression Guidelines
Priority of Acquisition
It is acknowledged that this might seem a little overwhelming, but you don't need all of it at once. Here is the list of items you should acquire, in order, to create an up-to-standard FJ impression:
Splinter B Type III Jump Smock
*This combination parachute smock and camouflage jacket is one of the most iconic symbols of the Fallschirmjäger, and forms the basis of your impression.
Recommended vendors:
Basic - ZIB Militaria
Price range: ~$100
Spearhead Militaria
Price range: ~ $115
premium - Panther Store
Price range: ~$260
M38 single decal helmet
*Fallschirmjäger wore a distinctive helmet, different from every other branch of the German military, and tailored to their needs as airborne troops.
Recommended vendors:
Premium - At The Front
Price range: ~$180
Jump trousers with suspenders
*Luftwaffe airborne troops wore field grey trousers unique to their arm of service, incorporating slits for internal knee pads as well as a pocket for the gravity knife.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Hessen Antique, ZIB Militaria
Price range: ~$90
Belt and Buckle
*The belt, along with sidearm and headgear, was a vital symbol that a German soldier was "on duty". It forms the basis of both field and garrison dress.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:Belt - Christian Paige (Ebay seller)
Price range: ~$32
Buckle - Hessen Antique, At The Front
Price range: ~$20-30
Ammunition pouches
*The Fallschirmjäger used the full range of German small arms, as well as a unique weapon of their own, the FG 42.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Varies, check with a unit mentor based on your weapon type. For Kar 98 bandoliers,FJ-Fabrik cannot be beat.
Lightweight FJ/Cavalry Y-straps
*These help to support and distribute the weight of your combat equipment.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Christian Paige (Ebay seller)
Price range: ~$35
Bread bag
*This holds the soldier's personal 24-hour sustainment kit.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
At The Front
Price range: ~$40
Water bottle
*Staying hydrated is absolutely essential.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
At The Front
Price range: ~$95
Fliegerbluse
*This comfortable and stylish item was the characteristic upper garment of the Luftwaffe airman in the Second World War.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Basic - Sturm (available at ZIB, Hessen)
Price range: ~$100
Premium - Panther Store
Price range: ~$205
Boots
*FJ were issued footwear specifically designed for their airborne role, with a design that prefigured that of most modern combat boots.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Basic - Canadian Army combat boots, other than their synthetic soles, are externally quite similar to front lace FJ boots. They should not be relied upon as a permanent solution, however.
Premium - SM Wholesale
Price range: ~$200
soft cap
*When not using helmets, soft headgear was worn.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
GD43
Price range: ~$60
At The Front
Price range: ~$50-140
This bare minimum of kit gives you a solid "outer layer" which you can gradually start to fill in. If you buy a few items each event, in no time at all you'll be fully kitted out, and the cost will be spread out over time. Before you buy anything, however, you MUST make contact with experienced unit members who can advise you on vendors, and assess the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of your potential purchase. It makes no sense to dive in blind and end up saddled with kit that you can't use.
In order to maintain our unit standards, WE WILL DISALLOW UNACCEPTABLE KIT ITEMS.
Additional Items
The following are things you can acquire to improve your impression after the priority kit list above is complete.
Service Shirt
Greatcoat
Bayonet
Entrenching tool
Gas mask bag
Mess tin
Shelter quarterLanding equipment
Grenade bags
Soldbuch
ID Disc
Winter clothing
Personal items
It is acknowledged that this might seem a little overwhelming, but you don't need all of it at once. Here is the list of items you should acquire, in order, to create an up-to-standard FJ impression:
Splinter B Type III Jump Smock
*This combination parachute smock and camouflage jacket is one of the most iconic symbols of the Fallschirmjäger, and forms the basis of your impression.
Recommended vendors:
Basic - ZIB Militaria
Price range: ~$100
Spearhead Militaria
Price range: ~ $115
premium - Panther Store
Price range: ~$260
M38 single decal helmet
*Fallschirmjäger wore a distinctive helmet, different from every other branch of the German military, and tailored to their needs as airborne troops.
Recommended vendors:
Premium - At The Front
Price range: ~$180
Jump trousers with suspenders
*Luftwaffe airborne troops wore field grey trousers unique to their arm of service, incorporating slits for internal knee pads as well as a pocket for the gravity knife.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Hessen Antique, ZIB Militaria
Price range: ~$90
Belt and Buckle
*The belt, along with sidearm and headgear, was a vital symbol that a German soldier was "on duty". It forms the basis of both field and garrison dress.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:Belt - Christian Paige (Ebay seller)
Price range: ~$32
Buckle - Hessen Antique, At The Front
Price range: ~$20-30
Ammunition pouches
*The Fallschirmjäger used the full range of German small arms, as well as a unique weapon of their own, the FG 42.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Varies, check with a unit mentor based on your weapon type. For Kar 98 bandoliers,FJ-Fabrik cannot be beat.
Lightweight FJ/Cavalry Y-straps
*These help to support and distribute the weight of your combat equipment.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Christian Paige (Ebay seller)
Price range: ~$35
Bread bag
*This holds the soldier's personal 24-hour sustainment kit.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
At The Front
Price range: ~$40
Water bottle
*Staying hydrated is absolutely essential.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
At The Front
Price range: ~$95
Fliegerbluse
*This comfortable and stylish item was the characteristic upper garment of the Luftwaffe airman in the Second World War.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Basic - Sturm (available at ZIB, Hessen)
Price range: ~$100
Premium - Panther Store
Price range: ~$205
Boots
*FJ were issued footwear specifically designed for their airborne role, with a design that prefigured that of most modern combat boots.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
Basic - Canadian Army combat boots, other than their synthetic soles, are externally quite similar to front lace FJ boots. They should not be relied upon as a permanent solution, however.
Premium - SM Wholesale
Price range: ~$200
soft cap
*When not using helmets, soft headgear was worn.
More Detail
Recommended vendors:
GD43
Price range: ~$60
At The Front
Price range: ~$50-140
This bare minimum of kit gives you a solid "outer layer" which you can gradually start to fill in. If you buy a few items each event, in no time at all you'll be fully kitted out, and the cost will be spread out over time. Before you buy anything, however, you MUST make contact with experienced unit members who can advise you on vendors, and assess the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of your potential purchase. It makes no sense to dive in blind and end up saddled with kit that you can't use.
In order to maintain our unit standards, WE WILL DISALLOW UNACCEPTABLE KIT ITEMS.
Additional Items
The following are things you can acquire to improve your impression after the priority kit list above is complete.
Service Shirt
Greatcoat
Bayonet
Entrenching tool
Gas mask bag
Mess tin
Shelter quarterLanding equipment
Grenade bags
Soldbuch
ID Disc
Winter clothing
Personal items