Brits in 1950s - uniform?

[Rich H]

Would warlord plastic paras do for 1950s Brits?  Struggling to find anything definitive

Ideally I'd like to arm them with EM-2 rifles which I'd get cast up.

I was going to build a bit of a what if Korean war-ish force with a Centurion

Ta
Rich

[Ultravanillasmurf]

I would assume so, they would just ship them out with what was in the stores.

I know I have a Britain's figure with an EM2 somewhere.

[vodkafan]

The First Corps Brits?

[Wyrmalla]

A swatch about some period photos makes it look like most guys are wearing WWII gear. MK III Turtle helmets with webbing appear, though those are just greenstuff over the pot helmets. There's some variation in the size of the pockets on the webbing as well.

Though for wargaming purposes, and at 28mm cosmetically they'd be the same. Just use helmets with covers more often than bare one I guess.

[carlos marighela]

Would warlord plastic paras do for 1950s Brits?  Struggling to find anything definitive

Ideally I'd like to arm them with EM-2 rifles which I'd get cast up.

I was going to build a bit of a what if Korean war-ish force with a Centurion

Ta
Rich

They would do, as is, for 1950s Paras or Marines, see photos of Suez.  Add SLR's and Sterlings you can use them as Paras and RMs into the 1960s. The British army in Korea is either going to be in JG in the warmer months, battledress in the cooler ones and a range of kit in winter, including US clothing.  

I suppose you could use the plastic Paras as a basis for winter clad troops, but in reality, the M-51 parka was a longer and differently styled item. The British pattern 50 combat jacket saw very limited issue towards the end of the war. WW-2 era windproofs were popular in Korea but that doesn't really help unless you fancy going nuts with the green stuff.

[Rich H]

Thanks all!

I think I'll go for the Brit paras and make/acquire some EM-2s

[Ewan]

http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?ScaleID=14&CategoryID=88&SubCategoryID=373
The British commando figure might be useful

[Rich H]

Thanks!

[Harry Faversham]

3rd. Battalion Parachute Regiment, Suez, mid fifties...



 

[MartinR]

The only difference to WW2 kit for that para is he has 44 pattern webbing (the water bottle and cover are different). Similarly, 49 pattern Battle Dress has slightly different pockets and has a tailored collar.

For wargaming purposes, they are identical. Apart from the turtle helmets (and if you've got WW2 figures in Mark III, you are fine).

Iirc the paras were wearing Denison smocks well into the 1970s.

[Rich H]

Spot on. Thanks!  Centurion has gone into the mould too.

Might switch from Korea to Suez then....  just need to see what else I could jam into bolt action using extant rules.
Centurion will be a Comet.  I was going to take a 17pdr towed by an Oxford Carrier...

[commissarmoody]

Spot on. Thanks!  Centurion has gone into the mould too.

Might switch from Korea to Suez then....  just need to see what else I could jam into bolt action using extant rules.
Centurion will be a Comet.  I was going to take a 17pdr towed by an Oxford Carrier...

Now you just need to make the Egyptians then. 

[Rich H]

Ah...  not yet at least!

[Arlequín]

Late to the party, but from 1951...




The 'Commando Cap' shown on the Minifigs above, was almost universal head wear in Korea for the Army, as the helmet could be worn over it.

[vodkafan]

You could still have a Centurion, just look on Ebay for the Corgi Diecast Centurion MKIII, change the toy barrel and do a repaint....avoid the Dinky one though.