What to use when wanting to build relatively cheap Waffen SS mannequins?

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Hi Guys,

as SS stuff is as we all know bloody expensive I am interested in throwing some ideas about on what to use to build relatively cheap, but original period Waffen SS mannequins (so no reproduction/fake items). If you have build any please show pics.

A relatively cheap SS mannequin I guess would be one with:

ND M42 helmet,
Early Anorak (which would make it WSS)
Velt boots,
Not sure what would constitute cheap pants that could have been worn by WSS

Please share your ideas.

Cheers, W

[Lou58]

I have put together a full mannequin, off a SS officer wearing a Italian camo Anorak with a SS buckle, and black belt, a set of winter boots and the pants well I used ones that were worn by Heer or SS soldiers, and finely a M-40 with about 1% decal left as these helmets you can pick up pretty cheaply.

Lou

[kaiserwilhelm2]

I have put together a full mannequin, off a SS officer wearing a Italian camo Anorak with a SS buckle, and black belt, a set of winter boots and the pants well I used ones that were worn by Heer or SS soldiers, and finely a M-40 with about 1% decal left as these helmets you can pick up pretty cheaply.

Lou

Hi Lou,

thanks for your imput! Are the EM pants like M40, M43 and M44 for the WSS the same as for the Heer or do these of the WSS differ from Heer pants?

Cheers, W

[Lou58]

What I meant was on a display you can get away with using a Heer set of trousers. This is the mannequin I made up, the items that are not SS are the trousers, and the boots.

Lou

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Nice display. Thanks posting the pic.

[istra63]

Well done
It brings a collection into a more realistic plane
when worn by mannequins.
The Heer pattern trousers were worn regularly
by the Waffen ss.

[NickG]

I have actually never seen a Waffen SS soldier in a period picture wearing an Italian camo made parka like this...
They're identified as SS patterns because these are based on the style of the 2nd pattern green ones, so considered SS by everybody...
but I always see these worn by Heer soldiers and HJ-Volkssturm for some reason...

This image posted recently by member kerryboo (credit goes to as tagged).So fine for a Heer impression (also)

Wonder if the young soldiers on the hood of the Jeep in the 2nd image are SS? (or HJ-Volkssturm?)

[NickG]

Another well known image...in HJ - Volkssturm member... again not SS...

Any clear SS pictures out there showing such a smock in SS use?

[istra63]

Valid point NickG
I was just looking through some archives of the Hitlerjugend in Normandy, looking for the said "Kharkov" jacket in Italian Camo. The only jackets I noticed
were not in the above said cut. They were hoodless with collars, and absent of any fur lining.

[istra63]

boy on the jeep has black trousers - HJ?

[NickG]

boy on the jeep has black trousers - HJ?

I believe so...HJ!
In the 3 part Beaver SS books the green parkas are only depicted and discussed (1st and 2nd pattern).
Nothing about the camo one is mentioned or shown...So author believes there is no SS linkage?
So is it even really SS ? or a late war adoption of an SS style for all troops? (kind of like Leibermuster...not strictky SS either)

These were obviously war time (here captured by US officers) and continued use Post war by the Czech Army, 2nd image
(these were made in occupied Czechoslovakia during the war)

I have one and its a good solution for a low budget SS impression BUT again were these really used by the SS?
Never seen an image...Anybody?

[Etienne B.]

Hi W,

Why not make some SS ''tropical'' mannequin.Saharianas are really not that expensive and there is enough photographic evidence !

Just my thoughts,

Etienne

[NickG]

True tropical is somewhat more affordable than fieldgray!
A camo Anorak is the cheapest solution but again no period SS photopraphic proof exists as far as I know which is puzzling...
That's why these are always documented by the use of reenactors in reference works....
but perhaps someone can show a real SS photo of these in wear to erase any doubt of true SS use?

[NickG]

For me the green parka is the best representative impression for Waffen SS!
With or without further SS gear underneath it!

[Peterm41]

I remember having the same problem with my first SS guy
It was just a Zeltplane - original SS one and a Feldmuetze.
And the result was good actually. In this case it deepens on the weapon in the hand and the backpack. Because they will make the real impression.

Still i think this is the cheapest version.

Or you may take some really salty tunic and you may make your guy coming back home after being a PW