RN and RM In 1938. What did they wear?

[Rob_bresnen]

I am after some 1938 ish reference photos of Royal Navy and Royal marines (including officers) as they might have gone into battle. anyone know what tehy would have looked like?

[Arlequín]

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=24168.0
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=27830.0  

Here's one of a RM landing party in training in 1940. A eclectic mix of SD and BD, except for the officer who is in full BD and has a Thompson (privileges of rank don't you know!). Webbing appears to be '08 mostly. They are carrying Enfield Pattern 1914 (P.14) rifles by the look of it too!

[Lowtardog]

Regiment games/Scale creep have some nice early Royal Navy in shore party gear I used them for my Landing party in VBCW

[Rob_bresnen]

Looks like I could use BEF for the RM. And probably Pheonix for the RN. What about officers. I like the Copplestone but I know they are too early. Did the RN officers uniform look much differant?

[Arlequín]

Personally I'd use WW1 figures for the Marines, Battle Dress and the later webbing were in short supply even in early 1940. But then I'd argue against Battle Dress in 1938 full stop.  

The Navy Officer's (and Petty Officer's) uniform was totally different to earlier times and almost the same as the modern day one.



However Navy Blue battledress was issued during the war, often worn with a white polo neck jumper, or white shirt and black tie, if you aren't too particular. Duffle coats (beige-y brown) were also worn, as were greatcoats (Navy Blue), but I'd expect to see the ratings wearing those if the officer was.

I'd be tempted to use a WW1 British officer and shave off the patch pockets on his tunic. Hopefully no one will notice it's single breasted and not double.  

[Rob_bresnen]

would the RM combat uniform have been different to the army at the same period? In otherwords, how can I make them look like they are not army? Apart from helments what did they wear in their heads. Gripping Beasts do some RND hats for their WW1 range. Do you think that RM might have worn these?

[Ming]

For working dress, Navy blue fly fronted boilersuits, without epaulettes but with mandarin collars. Remember steel helmets & dufflecoats were not generally a personal issue. They were kept on station for whoever was on watch at the time. Have a look on U-tube for  Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower & see 4.7inch gun crew in action. Same rig just with rifles for an ad-hoc scratch unit, why ever not! I had a go helping fire the guns on HMS Cavalier at Chatham Dockyard this year as part of the gun crew & I can assure you the uniforms are SPOT ON.     

[Arlequín]

would the RM combat uniform have been different to the army at the same period? In otherwords, how can I make them look like they are not army? Apart from helments what did they wear in their heads. Gripping Beasts do some RND hats for their WW1 range. Do you think that RM might have worn these?

I'm afraid the RM wore service caps and garrison side caps, same as the army, from what I've seen.  The only way to make them look different would be to depict them in dress blues and Wolseley hats.