Reasons to (continue)to collect Luftwaffe!

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Hi Guys,

As some of us are questioning their faith in the Luftwaffe, I thought it good (fun) to state our reasons for (continuing) collecting Luftwaffe. Maybe this is of some help to those in doubt.

My reasons:

1. Luftwaffe uniforms are the best looking as blue is a much nicer collor than green. Do you ever wear a green suit to work? Hell no, if you wear one it is more likely a blue one.

2. There is more variation in Luftwaffe garments than there is in Heer or Kriegsmarine. So you are less likely to get bored. When I still collected Heer and I bought something new and showed it to my wife she would say don't you already have something like that.

3. There are less fakes.

4. It is more affordable. (3 and 4 are related)

5. It is a fairly clean part of the German armed forces. Explaining to others what appeals to you to WWII pilots - even if they are German - is less of an exersise in futility than trying to explain a facination with the SS (unless of course all your friends are bald by choice).

6. It is a small branch so researching individuals and units, checking the authenticity of documents, signatures is much easier than with Heer. Also checking in which actions an individual was involved can be done. Try doing that for someone in an infantry squad.

All right, time for some breakfast. Lufties please add your reasons for collecting Luftwaffe.

Cheers, W

[james nz]

Hello Willem,
I like your list. I originally wanted to collect Luftwaffe and RAF flying gear. I soon realised that this was cost prohibitive to do both justice. Your reason '1' was a major factor in chosing Luftwaffe.....

[frank savage]

Good morning Wilhelm!

By my side it's only a problem of heart! I alway ever loved aviation, airplane... the jump in blue-gray uniform collection was quite simple!

Happy new year!

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Reason no (thanks to Frank) 7. WWII airplanes are the coolest planes ever and much nicer than Panzers which are nothing more than hulky steel boxes with oversized guns that are slow or ships which are hulky steel boxes with oversized guns that float even slower. Both usually blowing up after coming in contact with a plane.

[AndyC]

Hehe you have some good points there


Andy

[RamJet]

Very good thread!


My reasons to collect Luftwaffe are similar: The fascination of aircraft and the variety of material to collect (and of course because I wear the uniform of today's Luftwaffe and like to know about history ).

I don't believe anyone can get a real complete collection in this field, including all uniform variations, personal equipment and weapons, shoulder boards and collar tabs and so on. You have to specialise - and that also means You have always a new field of collection of Luftwaffe items You can start.

Done with flying corps? Start Flak, Felddivision, Fallschirmjäger, Beamte, whatever!

My goal are six mannequins and four rank boards. Pilot and mechanic are done, Afrikakorps Flak soldier and Felddivision Feldwebel in winter uniform are work in progress, Luftwaffenhelferin and Officer in vanilla plain uniform in planning. Of the boards I have the ranks from Leutnant to Generalmajor flying corps complete and the colours of the Luftwaffe in Leutnant rank also. Enlisted men/NCO ranks and Felddivision/HG colours work in progress.

I haven't even the place to show this collection when it should be finished one day. But if so, I could start with a Fallschirmjäger mannequin (much too expensive!), Beamte rank boards (if something is left over by Paul and Gary ) or else.

You never can really get finished with a Luftwaffe collection and most of us couldn't afford such a goal, too ...

[Mike Swan]

Wilhelm,

My experience has been different to yours. I became bored with collecting purely Luftwaffe and Commonwealth air forces as everything is basically blue/grey.

I now collect a little of everything and find that the variety has kept my interest in the hobby. You must admit a nice army waffenrock displayed with its accessories and awards takes some beating.

Nevertheless, I'm pleased that the Luftwaffe theme is working for you and I hope it continues.

Mike

[pablo10]

luft collecting is great but like all 3reich colecting the prices have got really out of control for some items sadly.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Hi Mike,

sure a bit of this and a bit of that means a lot of varity but IMO also lack of depth unless you have palace available for display. I prefer depth over varity to a certain extent. But of course as you go for depth a bit of varity is nice so I collect Luftwaffe (which has blue but also brown (tropical, flight gear, leather items)). If you look at Kriegsmarine, Heer/SS and Luftwaffe seperately I believe Luft has the more variety when it comes to uniforms and headgear. But I do not only do cloth but also medals, award docs, photoalbums and so on - so that gives me more variety. Depth also gives me some protection. I try to collect no more than I can display. I know a lot of collectors have rows of tunics hanging on racks and in closets. That is what would happen to me if I did not collect in depth. Limmiting myself to Luft flying items prevents me from hording.

I am however not the kind of collector who goes all out for depth. I would find little joy in collecting all EK2 variants - that is too much depth for me and too little varity.

As for a Waffenrock, yes it is a nice item but for me it misses the sense of history which I so like in well worn tunics that have been there (there being not at a reception but in the depths of Russia).

Anyway to each his own. Thanks for your response.

Cheers, W

[Jos L C]

Why luftwaffe ..?

... Because everyone in my area I know started collecting with building a Infantry army soldier .. , I wanted something different.

.. Besides that I like the luftwaffe eagle very much, rather realistic compared to the symbolic eagles of army and navy..

Pilot stuff, cause it's fascinating and not too aggresive, most people react normal to it and that's what I want.

SS, Political etc not for me for several reasons .

Jos.

[Bob Lyons]

The attraction of the Luftwaffe to collecting/collectors, ... well I think it covers a huge area, from the aircraft and the aces, through the huge area of the Flak arm, Medical, Admin, Drivers, Mechanics, to Luftwaffe ground forces, and paratroops, and that is an awful lot of diversity. I can only envy those who have perservered and put together a complete FJ mannequin with an early jumpsmock and double decal helmet, or helmet and cover, through to the guys who have an aircraft or two in the garage, ( how is the Ju 88 coming W ??), and then the asthetic appeal of a nice early pilot or pilot/obserrver badge...

Headgear, in my humble opinion, a Luftwaffe officer visor cap in top condition is the nicest of all the 3rd Reich visors (and I am hooked on the OR/EM versions too).

If Ed Andersen Jr is reading this, and decides to post up his Luftwaffe Standard bearer's uniform with all of the accoutrements, then to me at least, that is one of the most stunning ensembles to knock the socks off anyone that is after a stand alone and magnificent display.

Well, my 2 cents worth, and for Jos and Paul, another two guys with some truly awesome and superb collections, the time and effort in getting these collections is a huge chunk out of your lifes, I applaud your efforts in the quality and diversity, every single piece would tell a story on how you obtained it. (rest up, but don't give up).

Well, that is all from my little corner of the world, Mike I can always assist you in thinning out your Luftwaffe stuff, I am just around the corner...

Happy New Year to all,

Best wishes

Bob

[N.C. Wyeth]

Life is short - find a way to enjoy it!

Why luftwaffe ..?

... Because everyone in my area I know started collecting with building a Infantry army soldier .. , I wanted something different.

Jos.

Jos. - Funny you say "I wanted something different" - and ironically, I once thought Luftwaffe would be a move laterally congruous for me. I found it interesting for a while, but not so much as other venues -Luftwaffe eventually became for me too, you might say.

Curious how each of us waxes and wanes, isn't it?

Salute & Cheers to you on your past experiences, and my best in your future endeavours - whatever that may be!

[WEISNER]

Well I like Heer, I like SS and I like Luftwaffe! I am happy owning examples of tunics from all three but will say my Flak NCO Fliegerbluse really stands out when displayed!
For me there is something about the cut of the Fliegerbluse, and especially when period shortened that really grabs me!

I will say Wilhelm gives some great reasons for looking at Luftwaffe collecting! For me there is nothing more exciting and romantic than the WWII era war in the air, and the designs of the German aircraft especially the Ta 152H! The well known photos of werknummer 150 003 on the field at Cottbus have stuck with me since I was young.

Kevin

[JackHun]

For me it is, and has always been, only Luftwaffe. I guess the initial spark came from the magnificient airplanes so that's why I also have some airplane parts with a real passion for grip sticks. I most "love" visor caps which is the majority of my small pilot's stuff collection. Recently two tunics have found their way to me and of course the loops need to be filled with the right badges and awards. A small collection with slow but continuous enlargement which makes me happy when admiring the historical pieces.

All the best,

Jack

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Here is another good reason: http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=644203