I started collecting about two years ago.
In the beginning, I was only going to collect some 1/6 action figures and do the diorama you see here.
The diorama only wet my appetite for something more real.
So, my next project was to buy three helmet shells, an M35, M40, and M42, and restore them.
Some of you may remember the flack I took for restoring the M35, which some felt was still too intact to be messed with.
After I completed the restorations, the bug got me to collect more!
Now, I wanted to have the basic kit of the common German infantry soldier.
So, I started buying everything that I could get that would fit into an IKEA display case. That was my goal. Nothing bigger than what would fit in the case.
Of course, eventually I had over-flow. I bought a "pony" pack and put it on the wall.
Then I bought a small display case from Hobby Lobby, and filled it with paper items.
And finally, I bought a bunch of related books and videos and put them into my bookcase.
"OK," I said to myself. "That is enough." My wife, without dispute, agreed.
I don't have the money many of you have. And I can't afford the really expensive stuff. Tunics and M42 machine guns are out of the question.
But, now I've been bitten by the collecting bug. I'm addicted!
I'm at just under $5000 dollars into it. Good time to quit, right?
Wrong!
My wife comes up with a picture of her grandfather, who fought in the Meuse Argonne Offensive in WW1. And my dad fought the Japanese, not the Germans.
Ah ha! Now I have my excuse to go a little further.
Now I go for some WW1 stuff, and I include a couple of French items.
After all, you can't leave out the German's main antagonist in WW1.
Oh, and how about a Doughboy helmet? Thats what grandpa wore.
And hey! Why not a couple of Japanese items? Thats who my dad fought, right?
Another thousand dollars later, I have my WW1/Memorial display.
So, here it is. My collection of WW2 German infantry gear. No generals. No nazis. No Luft Waffe, Kriegsmarine, SS, etc. Mostly just your common infantry soldier stuff. And no heavy duty gear, or massively expensive items. Nothing cost me over $200, accept that pesky M35 helmet, that some think I should have left alone.
And, in hind-site, I kind of agree with them, now that I've grown into this a little.
Though I must say, It does look great.
Of course, along with the WW2 German stuff, I have my little collection of WW1 German, French and US, as well as some Japanese.
Under $6000, in two years. Thats what you're looking at.
All comments are welcome. Including any advice you old-timers might want to give.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&d=1280185209
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&d=1280185209
In the beginning, I was only going to collect some 1/6 action figures and do the diorama you see here.
The diorama only wet my appetite for something more real.
So, my next project was to buy three helmet shells, an M35, M40, and M42, and restore them.
Some of you may remember the flack I took for restoring the M35, which some felt was still too intact to be messed with.
After I completed the restorations, the bug got me to collect more!
Now, I wanted to have the basic kit of the common German infantry soldier.
So, I started buying everything that I could get that would fit into an IKEA display case. That was my goal. Nothing bigger than what would fit in the case.
Of course, eventually I had over-flow. I bought a "pony" pack and put it on the wall.
Then I bought a small display case from Hobby Lobby, and filled it with paper items.
And finally, I bought a bunch of related books and videos and put them into my bookcase.
"OK," I said to myself. "That is enough." My wife, without dispute, agreed.
I don't have the money many of you have. And I can't afford the really expensive stuff. Tunics and M42 machine guns are out of the question.
But, now I've been bitten by the collecting bug. I'm addicted!
I'm at just under $5000 dollars into it. Good time to quit, right?
Wrong!
My wife comes up with a picture of her grandfather, who fought in the Meuse Argonne Offensive in WW1. And my dad fought the Japanese, not the Germans.
Ah ha! Now I have my excuse to go a little further.
Now I go for some WW1 stuff, and I include a couple of French items.
After all, you can't leave out the German's main antagonist in WW1.
Oh, and how about a Doughboy helmet? Thats what grandpa wore.
And hey! Why not a couple of Japanese items? Thats who my dad fought, right?
Another thousand dollars later, I have my WW1/Memorial display.
So, here it is. My collection of WW2 German infantry gear. No generals. No nazis. No Luft Waffe, Kriegsmarine, SS, etc. Mostly just your common infantry soldier stuff. And no heavy duty gear, or massively expensive items. Nothing cost me over $200, accept that pesky M35 helmet, that some think I should have left alone.
And, in hind-site, I kind of agree with them, now that I've grown into this a little.
Though I must say, It does look great.
Of course, along with the WW2 German stuff, I have my little collection of WW1 German, French and US, as well as some Japanese.
Under $6000, in two years. Thats what you're looking at.
All comments are welcome. Including any advice you old-timers might want to give.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&d=1280185209
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...1&d=1280185209
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