Re-enactor status

[Scrivo18]

Hi Everyone

I have just participated in a Military Vehicle event/ convoy down to Tasmania, part of the reqirement to participate was that you wore uniform.
While we were driving I chose to wear HBT coverals, which with some of the dramas I had with the Blitz was just as well.

Once at the event where we did do re enactment I wore Australian Desert uniform as the theme we were doing was the Battle at Bravos Pass in Greece.

I believe that in the right circumstances that Uniform can be worn but it still comes down to the indivdual, it is your vehicle do what you want. Having said that I really try to ensure that any uniform that I wear is historical correct as possible.

Tim

[Jordan Baker]

Hi Jon and all

When ive taken my Jeep to living history events I have usually worn my set of BD for the drive there, and for the duration of the event im in uniform. Im badged correctly for the RHLI during WW2. Last summer I went to a number of cruise nights around town. I just wore civies as i didn't feel that it was a proper venue for wearing a uniform. The first time I showed up at the local cruise night the guy at the gate searced my Jeep and asked if I had any weapons. Told me they had a guy in the past bring all sorts of machine guns and caused them some problems.

I feel that if going to, say and airshow where there will be other MV's in attendance you should make some effort to be in uniform or in coveralls that look period correct. I personaly hate seeing a whole bunch of MV's lined up with their owners standing around in t shirts and shorts, If you can afford to restore an MV then you can afford to buy a uniform or coveralls to look the part with the veh.


Jon, I think its great that you want to put on the uniform that goes with the Jeep, go for it.

[Adame]

Hey Jordan

Alls well and said if your young guy that can fit in a WW2 uniform, But if your a FAT old guy it shouldn't exclude you from bringing out your restored vehicles that your proud of either.

And theres nothing more sloppy or in appropriate than an over weight guy trying to wear a ww2 uniform

Cheers
Adame

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Adame

Hey Jordan



And theres nothing more sloppy or in appropriate than an over weight guy trying to wear a ww2 uniform

Yes there is: over weight guys with a pony tail, unbuttoned jacket, hands in pockets, pizza style beret, pants un-bloused, and ankle boots or runners where there should be combat boots. Add to that rank badges, medals, or stripes that were never earned. Seems like, too often, everyone is a sergeant.

Any one or combination of these will give a negative image to serving and retired members of the forces. The general public may or may not recognize all of them.

I have used mannequins in the past for static displays. For parades I have gone with battle dress and helmet, but normally change over to civvies for the static.

[Adame]

hahaha your right on that one.

Adame

[malcolm erik bogaert]

your right there...once at a re-enactment show in Netherlands we had a Royal Signals Officer with plastic polar bear badges on his uniform!when the TV company arrived he deserted his post and drove over to the crew on a wartime Ariel M/Cycle....I had a word with the 2 rather large Dutch MP's and all you saw on the news report was him being lifted away!Rank sometimes has its privled...also have to say while Im on my soapboxes those Dutch guys cant be beat for proper/correct re-enacting...best wishes to all malcolm a.k.a. Col.Bogey

[Rob Beale]

Is that we wear a uniform correctly.

Those who have done service know the little details that make the wannabes stand out. Long hair styles, jewellry, piercings!!! etc don't fit with the period unless we have modern vehicles perhaps!

I take the view that the vehicle should look authentic on the road as well. Hence I pack our stuff in canvas kitbags, and ammo boxes etc so a following motorist doesn't see yellow or blue containers, or worse. A canvas cover also works too.

In some vehicles, a green shirt and cap may be sufficient, but in a jeep or similar, green coverals or similar muted clothing looks a heck of a lot better than yellow PVC rain coats.

If you aren't comfortable with a uniform, then by all means go with the green overalls.

I get the kids to wear Jungle Greens when we go to events with the public present. They are more comfortable than BDs in our climate, but still look the part.

my tuppence worth
Rob