I am looking for Korean War in 28

[commissarmoody]

I am looking for Korean War in 28mm figs. Also what were the differences between the weapons and uniforms of the American/UN forces and there World war 2 counter parts?

[carlos marighela]

This is probably your best summary:

http://olive-drab.com/od_soldiers_clothing_1950s.php


Most WW2 ranges have US troops in gaiters, shoes and the short M1941 Parsons jacket. These were mostly replaced during the war circa 1943/44 on with the M1943 jacket and the double buckle combat boot. Both were still around during teh Korean War, the former being supplanted /replaced by the M1951 jacket, the latter at the end of teh war with a new combat boot.

 I can't think of anyone off hand who does that combination in 28mm. Wargames factory do nice GIs in the M1943 jacket but they have gaiters and shoes. Not impossible to convert but rather time consuming if you are looking at a platoon's worth. The other noticeable difference is insignia. After the war the old rank patches were replaced with the golden lite pattern, apparently universally loathed.

Marines as ever tended to older kit. Gaiters were still evident and there are plenty of pictures showing them kitted out a la
WW2.

First Corps do some pretty ugly Brits for Korea as well as winter clad Chinese, which seem a bit better. Dunno of any ranges beyond that.

[Arlequín]

Yep, I'll follow on with...

The US Marines initially wore gaiters with their own uniform from WW2, but eventually replaced these as the war went on. The 'look' of the US soldier from the end of WW2 right through to the 1980s was pretty much the same though, with minor differences in the cut of the uniform and pockets etc. Boots were still brown (I think they changed to black in 1957 or thereabouts). In Korea, the webbing was the WW2 type. Jeep caps and 'Trapper' Winter hats were the usual headgear when the helmet wasn't being worn.

The weapons were no different, even the water-cooled Browning still made an appearance. The 57mm and 75mm recoilless and the M20 Bazooka were 'new arrivals' as far as the mostly WW2 kit went.

Vehicle-wise the only big difference was that other than the M16 SPAA and a few other specialist vehicles, no half tracks were deployed in Korea. The M4A3E8 was steadily withdrawn, in favour of the M26 and subsequently M46 tanks. The M24 soldiered on, until the last part of the war, when the M41 started to appear.

Helicopters were increasingly more common, but were not being used as troop transports... although the US Marines were trying out the idea elsewhere.

British forces were largely the same as late WW2, but wore the 'Turtle' style helmet and not the old 'Battle Bowler'. The beret replaced all other forms of headgear worn in WW2 (the Scots having a Tam O'Shanter styled one). U.S. Fatigues replaced the British style battledress pretty quickly though, which was worn with British helmets and webbing. 'Trapper hats' and 'Commando' wool balaclavas were also common in cold weather.

The Centurion tank made its appearance for the first time in war, but there were still Churchills and Cromwells deployed to Korea. Universal carriers were still in use too!

Australian troops seemed to have begun in the same uniforms and weapons as they did for the start of WW2, including the 'old' British helmet and even the old SMLE type with its sword bayonet, as opposed to the British, who used the No.4 and its 'pig sticker'. Again, US fatigues replaced the Australian style battledress and once more US style headwear was used in cold weather. The ubiquitous digger's slouch hat being found at all other times.

The old Paul Hicks-sculpted Bolt Action US figures were ideal for Korea... the new ones nothing like them. Warlord's US Marines will pass for their Korean counterparts in Summer.

As Carlos says, this is very much an ignored war for gamers, so no ranges of figures in 28mm, other than the 1st Corps ones he mentioned, as far as I know either.

[Arrigo]

Well, the ROK army had halftracks and there were indications of US army units mounted in halftracks for specific missions during the September-October 1950 pursuit. Hal tracks were definitely deployed (plenty of pictures of basic halftrack and not only AAA version). No armoured infantry unit in HT was deployed but no HT in Korea is a common and utterly wrong misconception. 

In  at least one case US army troops were air assaulted by helicopters (during the battle for Heartbreak Ridge).

For the rest Arlequin in pretty spot on.

[Arlequín]

Yes, I meant to imply 'no armoured infantry', rather than 'no halftracks'... even the British had some... That's what happens when you're in a rush. 

The 'air lift' onto Hill 884 was indeed the first time they were used to carry combat troops, but I don't think landing on a remote hill, with no enemy presence counts as an 'air assault' really. The earlier operations in the Punchbowl were supply lifts in and medevac out. The early H-19 model used (HRS-1) could only carry 8 Marines (some sources say 5) and with only a single squadron (HMR-61) it took them four hours to move the 200+ men and 17k lbs of supplies a few miles onto the hill.

Having said that... it was the proof of what might be done and was one of the operations which convinced the Army to set up its own helicopter battalions.

The first helicopter 'air assault' is commonly acknowledged as being performed by the Royal Marines' 45 Commando during the Suez Landings in 1956... but I'll take that under advisement, as it's something I really know very little about.

[Steve F]

First Corps do some pretty ugly Brits for Korea as well as winter clad Chinese, which seem a bit better. Dunno of any ranges beyond that.

There is a single Korean War British Infantryman in the range of figures that Henry Hyde sells to raise money for Combat Stress:
http://henrys-wargaming.co.uk/?page_id=476

[commissarmoody]

So I take it Bolt Action, no longer career's there old line of late war US infantry that would have worked for Korea then.
And currently no one has a viable range of North/South Koreans, Chines or other UN National forces.
Might have to see about getting one made then, Because that is cheap and easy  

[carlos marighela]

Well, here are the First Corps Korean War Chinese. Whether they are viable or not is over to you.

http://www.1stcorps.co.uk/online_shop/product_info.php?products_id=2495&osCsid=f02238da51e39efd0b5b9000384e4358

You can probably use some WW2 Russian in padded jackets and fur caps as North Koreans in winter dress.

[Stepman3]

http://achesoncreations.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=75&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

[v_lazy_dragon]

Would the Brigade Games Atomic Cafe GIs be of any use? A little late ('57) but possibly suited?

[Arlequín]

Yes they would be fine... The officer's cap is wrong, but replacing it would be no big deal.

[commissarmoody]

If I were to say, look into commission a range of late/mid Korean war US, and Chines/North Korean forces, do you think there would be interest?

[Arlequín]

I'd be interested... but I'm also very demanding. 

[carlos marighela]

I would be interested but it would rather depend on the sculptor.

[commissarmoody]

I feel you. If I didn't care how they looked I would just proxy em. I am thinking of doing late war troops first, with body armor and maybe separate heads. Also need to find the proper weapons load out for your average US and PLA and north Korea.
Start with platoon and company support and then if it sales work from there.
How prevalent would M1 carbine's and submarine guns if any would be in the average US platoon/company (army/USMC)