Hello guys,

I'm busy working on some US soldiers, ETO. From an other thread I got some good color charts, but I just can't seem to see the difference between the M1941 and M1943 uniforms. I've been googling, looking at pictures, reading reviews, the only clothing I can distinguish is the tankers jacket...

Sometimes I read a review, and the reviewer is stating those figure are wearing the M1941 uniform and others the M1943 uniform, but I just don't see it...

Besides the M1941 and M1943 uniforms, you'll also seel to have the HBT overall, the parsons jacket, etc. Very confusing!!!

Also, for tankers you seem to have a BIB and a HBT overall??? What's the difference?

If someone could help me distinguish the difference between all those uniforms, I would be very gratefull, and at least, i will be able to paint my troops and tankers in the right colours!

Thanks!

Dave

Here are links to a company that makes very accurate reproduction WWII U.S. uniforms and web gear. This should help:

http://wwiiimpressions.com/

The 1941 Jacket WAS the Parsons jacket. So that kills one question for you.

How to tell it from the 1943 jacket?

1. 1941 was tanner in color; 1943 greener
2. 1941 was shorter in length
3. 1941 had slash pockets
4. 1943 had 4 big pockets, two on the chest and two below the belt, with triangular tabs over them.
5. Cuffs and collars were different, too, but hard to explain.

The HBT outfits were summer/lighter weight uniforms. Worn a lot in the Pacific and in Normandy in the summer. Greenish in color. Just a shirt and pants. No matching jacket as far as I know.

Some info on what kits you are using might help (for example: "I'm painting the Tamiya U.S. Infantry West European Theater set, and am not sure which figs have which uniform").

Rob

Rob,

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at sites with replica uniforms, but didn't see the difference... Last weekend I spent 4 days in the Ardennes, and in every museum I was looking at the uniforms to see some differences, but I just don't see it.... Well, not yet!

I'm in the middle of painting following kits:

- Verlinden 1586 U.S. Tank Crew Wet/Cold
- CMK 35004 U.S. Tank Crew
- Hobby Fan M36 Tank Crew & Accessories
- Tamiya 35004 U.S. Army Tank Crew
- Tamiya 35080 U.S. Combat Group Set

I'm using Tamiya acrylics.

I know the two Tamiya sets are very old, and of not to good quality, but that's excellent to improve my painting skills. The Verlinden and CMK kits will go in my Dragon M4A1 Operation Cobra and Dragon M4A3E8 Thunderbolt. The Hobby Fan kit I will use in my Academy M36 Jackson.

Thanks a lot!

Dave

Dave,

I'm not overly familiar with most of those kits. Some are real dogs, though, like the Tamiya Tank crew.

Anyway, regarding the "Combat Group" set, nearly ALL of them have the 1941 jacket. The exceptions are the guy with the tanker jacket (which you said you can identify) and the walking guy, who has a 1943 jacket buttoned up around his neck.

I believe the Tamiya box art has them painted all sorts of funky, inappropriate ways. For a 1941 jacket, I'd go with a color like Tamiya Dark yellow, as it has a nice greenish hue to it that all the Axis fans seem to complain about. It works out well for that jacket, which was a tan with a tinge of green to it. I'd use a greener shade for the walking guy, maybe like a Model master Medium green. For the tanker's jacket, I always like Tamiya khaki, maybe with a tinge of OD added.

Rob

For good info on different US uniforms, colours and sheer entertainment value have a look at At The Front.com

http://www.atthefront.com/