The DDR reenacted

[Viktor]

Welcome Genosse jkeegen, myself and your Genossen are here only to assist Cultural Development.
We are a friendly and open Sector of this Progressive Sector of this Progressive People's Forum, within the Strict Quotas for Friendliness and Openness demanded by Moscow Centre.

This Warning is given only once...

[RedBaran11]

Ok, another question for the experts:

early 80's impression -- is a model 59 or 74 bayonet appropiate? I'm thinking model 59 would be more flexible, allowing me to use it for any earlier impressions i put together.

Genosse,
Either a Type I or Type II Mpi-KM bayonet may be used for a 1980s complex. Both can be seen in declassified photos of the purely defensive Defenders of the Worker's and Farmers.

I know Genosse Viktor uses the Type I model with rubber grip. If you scroll up on this thread you can see several of Genosse Viktor's arangements, using the Type I bayonet.

I personaly use a Type II Mpi-KM bayonet with my gear complex. Here is a picture of my Grenztruppen Offizier complex, which would have been used from 1979 to 1990.



Here you can find a good thread discussing bayonets.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=bayonet

Like I said, either a Type I or Type II will work.

[RedBaran11]

Genossen,
Something just occured to be. If I am going to be setting up displays a few times a summer, that is 12 hours of direct sunlight a day that could damage state property and have disasterious effects. Are there any ideas for an inexpensive solution to this? I have though about getting one of those big party tents, but it doesnt look very military-ish at all and would stick out like a sore thumb and detract form the display.

Another idea I have is to get soem tarps and set them up over my items, which are usualy at ground level. I'm thinking some poles would hole these up over and reduce the amount of sun significantly. They would be set up like the roof sections of zelts, only just one side of course.

[iannima]

Another idea I have is to get soem tarps and set them up over my items, which are usualy at ground level. I'm thinking some poles would hole these up over and reduce the amount of sun significantly. They would be set up like the roof sections of zelts, only just one side of course.

That seems definitely the better idea. There is one thing you need to bear in mind, as I have found out trying different tent arrangements: the Zelt are heavy. One on its own is all right but add a few more and you have some weight. At that stage the sectionable poles are of no use, and you need sturdy metal or solid wood poles of the necessary length. That makes storage and transportation a bit more troublesome. From what I have seen of your displays it should not provide you with an insurmountable problem. Good luck!

[RedBaran11]

That seems definitely the better idea. There is one thing you need to bear in mind, as I have found out trying different tent arrangements: the Zelt are heavy. One on its own is all right but add a few more and you have some weight. At that stage the sectionable poles are of no use, and you need sturdy metal or solid wood poles of the necessary length. That makes storage and transportation a bit more troublesome. From what I have seen of your displays it should not provide you with an insurmountable problem. Good luck!

A zelt setup is a team job, and certainly a pain in the rear.

For shade covers I was actually just tihnking about getitng some dull green or grey colored tarps. THey would still be exposed ot some sun, but certainly not as much as without.

[jkeegen]

Many thanks to my Socialist Brothers for their advice. We inductees rely on the mentoring of our long service brethern.

[Mike G.]

RedBaranII

Given that you are stateside as many of us are, I think it possible that you have access to many military shops.

If you do, one option you might wish to consider, that would let you keep the military theme alive, is to acquire US Army Camoflauge Netting. The concept is intentionally light-weight in design and engineered by concept to enable two or even one to set up. When I was in Armor, we carried this set-up on our Tanks and employed it every time we stopped, where practical. When I was activated for deployment to Desert Storm with the Army CID, we could not have survived without this rig. While it still let sunlight filter through, it literally cut the temperature by as much as 20 degrees. And it provided the all emportant "Shade" that you need for protection of your DDR/NVA investment about which you expressed concern.

Take down and setup is easy. Storage also is easy.

Just another inexpensive option to consider.

[Viktor]

Da! Genosse RedBaran11, the UV must be dealt with, DDR Plastics have only a short life in it before they begin to Breakdown..

The Dyes used in DDR Cloth also bleaches quickly, cover a Zeltplane with a Tarnnet, after a few days in the sun you will see shadows.

The Wrecking nature of the Sun against the material of the (purely defensive) NVA is under Investigation.

[jkeegen]

What's the history behind the curved Rain Pattern ammunition pouch? Am I correct in thinking it pre-dates the straight version? I've also seen some curved pouches that have both a pair of gray straps on the back to attach it to a belt AND a ring for attachment to the Y-straps. However, I've seen some curved ones that only have the belt straps. Can anyone enlighten me on which was issued first and possible time frames of issue?

Much appreciation in advance!

[iannima]

I think you have already answered yourself. The curved pouches are earlier than the straight ones. My guess would be, but my esteemed colleague, Genosse Viktor, will undoubtedly put me right if I am wrong (and threaten duty cars, people courts etc. etc. in the process) that the pouch with the extra D ring to hook on to the Y strap is earlier, because it sort of matches the earlier Y strap that needed D rings on loops to hook on to the belt, instead of the later one that does away with these extra loops by looping around the belt and hooking on to itself if you know what I mean ... Exact time frames are very difficult to establish. We know that the Strichtarn was introduced in 1965. But old equipment was used right to the very end. So there are combinations that are definitely wrong: e.g. a dark collar tunic with a straight magazine pouch. The reverse is not so easy as a late uniform could very possibly be associated with an earlier magazine pouch as long as the weapon remains the AKM and not the AK74 (which was introduced very late in the DDR).

[Kartofelpreußer]

Genossen,
Something just occured to be. If I am going to be setting up displays a few times a summer, that is 12 hours of direct sunlight a day that could damage state property and have disasterious effects.

Your political perception is lacking, Genosse. We all know that the morning sun, being in the East, directs the glorious power of its rays in a purely defensive manner and thus could have no ill effects on your state property. It is only the corrupting influences of the Western skies that lead it down the path of ultraviolet destruction and offensive fading. So there are in reality only six hours of damaging daylight for you to contend with.

Your attitudes will be noted and communicated through the appropriate channels.

[RedBaran11]

Michael,
WHat type of support system did you use to hold t up? What I have now is a 10 ft by 10 ft pop up tent that you can see in some of my photos. I was thinking about maybe setting up metal poles in a larger square around this, and covering the entire era with camoflague nets. What would you reccomend?

[RedBaran11]

QUOTE=Kartofelpreußer;3035674]Your political perception is lacking, Genosse. We all know that the morning sun, being in the East, directs the glorious power of its rays in a purely defensive manner and thus could have no ill effects on your state property. It is only the corrupting influences of the Western skies that lead it down the path of ultraviolet destruction and offensive fading. So there are in reality only six hours of damaging daylight for you to contend with.

Your attitudes will be noted and communicated through the appropriate channels.[/QUOTE]

Ahh yes, my political perception is lacking in respects to motions of the sun- from the glorious freedoms of the east before it is snatched away by the imperialist agressors of the western skies! I shall ready my midnight bag for the fast approaching duty car!

[Viktor]

I think you have already answered yourself. The curved pouches are earlier than the straight ones. My guess would be, but my esteemed colleague, Genosse Viktor, will undoubtedly put me right if I am wrong (and threaten duty cars, people courts etc. etc. in the process) that the pouch with the extra D ring to hook on to the Y strap is earlier, because it sort of matches the earlier Y strap that needed D rings on loops to hook on to the belt, instead of the later one that does away with these extra loops by looping around the belt and hooking on to itself if you know what I mean ... Exact time frames are very difficult to establish. We know that the Strichtarn was introduced in 1965. But old equipment was used right to the very end. So there are combinations that are definitely wrong: e.g. a dark collar tunic with a straight magazine pouch. The reverse is not so easy as a late uniform could very possibly be associated with an earlier magazine pouch as long as the weapon remains the AKM and not the AK74 (which was introduced very late in the DDR).

Genosse iannima,
You have balanced well on the Thin Ice while avoiding the Hot Water...

It has been Noted.

If I'm doing later stuff ( 1980's) I always lean towards the Straight Magazine Pouch for M-S, other arms not being Rifles likely had the curved pouches longer due to slower wear out periods.
Grenzers seemed to be at the end of the queue for gear ( last Arm of Service to lose MPi41 and Karbine S also black leather equipment) so they used them up last,or so it seems in the Historical Documents.

[Mike G.]

Michael,
WHat type of support system did you use to hold t up? What I have now is a 10 ft by 10 ft pop up tent that you can see in some of my photos. I was thinking about maybe setting up metal poles in a larger square around this, and covering the entire era with camoflague nets. What would you reccomend?

If you have access (and time) to visit some of the military surplus stores, I think you can find a complete US Army camo system, inclusive of the poles and storage bag, for dirt cheap. The poles can be either of aluminum or a type of carbon/fiberglass construction, dependent on when produced. At the top, they have a unique folding wing system that can be spread in a 90 degree pattern (always inward toward the center of the configuration). The netting is comrised of a intertwined rope system from which thousands of individual ribbons of varying size and color shades (mostly browns and greens) are attached. The system is easy to transport, set up and take down, and would work remarkably well for protecting your investment from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Not only that, but in mid-summer, it will also bring down the temperature to a manageable comfort zone.

Another source would be the company US Cavalry. A search on line under that name should pull them up. They should have the system.