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Post by Jungsa Kim on Aug 28, 2011 20:14:16 GMT -5
I think if we want to continue this particular discussion, we probably should do it in the North korean section of the forum. John C. Continued from the message board of Welcome. The Mosin Nagant is always a good stand-by and completely acurate for DPRK troops. Maybe you've got deep pockets and can afford a semi-auto DP-28??? I plan to make the Mosin-Nagant a standard issue for nearly all of the people I want to recuit. If possible, I want them to get the non rearsenaled ones, but that is a little tricky... The PPS pistols are a good choice as well, but like you said, you are concerned and have heard the parts failures, so I will think deeply on that. The semi-auto DP-28s are amazing and I eventually plan to get one in two years perhaps. However, I am just a young adult with not much money, so I don't expect to get one anytime soon. Soft caps are hard to find, but I think you can modify a Nationalist Chinese cap without lots of headaches. The Soviet M-35 (with collar) tunic should do (worn tucked inside the trousers), although I've seen a couple different styles...and I love the baggy trousers, but don't know where you'd find a pair: maybe wear 2 sizes larger, and cinch up/alter the waist? I see high-top sneakers on ebay occasionally. Throw in a blanket roll and your IJA canteen/breadbag and you're ready to go. I have done a TON of research upon the NKPA forces of the Korean War and I have found in a lot of the photo evidence, they wore their own manufactured uniforms with no reinforcements to the tunic nor pants. This tradition still continues to this day in present North Korea. Also, I honestly can't really stand to just say and act "it's good enough". I had that experience within my Imperial Japanese unit and needless to say, I was very put off by it. I guess you could say I am one of the "do it right stitch Nazi" types. ^-^; That being said, I do accept the usage of the IJA canteen, but not the breadbag. KPA troops rarely carried the IJA breadbag for some reason (at least in the pictures I have seen) ; normally, they used the Russian myeshok or even IJA style tube packs. Blanket rolls are also a no-go within my planned unit. I have never seen any picture evidence, so I can not do it. The Chinese OD no. 3 Nationalist cap I will have to see for myself. I can already tell the bill is incorrect for KPA however, but that is not a big deal. With all this aside however, I have contacted Peterson of NCHS and he tells me he has a bit of the NK stuff left. I remember someone here actually buying a set from him about 4 years ago, but he never posted pictures.  |
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Post by pop401k on Aug 29, 2011 11:14:40 GMT -5
Well, I will wish you the best of luck in making all the uniforms and equipment to accurately portray the North Korean soldier! It sounds like quite an undertaking.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Regards,
John c.
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Post by Jungsa Kim on Aug 30, 2011 0:33:54 GMT -5
Thank you John for the kind words.  It will be incredibly difficult I admit, but I personally want to achieve the level of accuracy the Korean movies have. Of course, there is always room for improving and adapting, I must remember that. Ah yes, incase you have not noticed, I am Korean as well.  Well, here is a gear recommendation I have thought up. Not the best so far, but feasible. Enlisted Kit Uniform: KPA field cap, Model 1948. M48 tunic, brass plain star, bakelite, or wooden buttons. A RKKA M35 hidden front tunic is acceptable as well. You must take off the coffin shape reinforcements. The KPA never had factory-applied reinforcements. M48 trousers with drawstring ankle loops (Chinese KMT tan pants can be converted with a bit of work). Green canvas shoes for scouting or skirmishing. Leather lowboots were used by the KPA, but rarely. If you want to use lowboot, get an RKKA or IJA type with hobnails and irons. Must be cleared with NCO, then officer. Ranks: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Can I use my RKKA ranks?" That's a tough question actually. Some KPA had the Soviet M43 style boards, while others had of NK state manufacture. Most of the time, I often see the OD shoulderboards for most enlisted men, with the gold bars standing out like a sore thumb. Every one will start out as "Private", unless they are in a position of leadership, such as a squad leader. When a person who has military experience wants to train the unit, I will personally swap out ranks and take his place as the "lowly enlisted" for the remainer of the training session or public event. Web gear: Your in luck RKKA reenactors. Soviet surplus will do. However, keep the "M44" post war pouches to a minimum. Yeah, you're thinking "This is 1950! It's POST WAR!". Not so, while the Soviets might have dumped a lot of stuff on the KPA, a lot of their WW2 issue stuff vastly outnumbered their newer "post war" stuff when they supplied the KPA. Helmets? This is a very complicated issue. While the KPA did use helmets in the war, out of all of the 100 photos I have seen of the KPA, only five soldiers actually wore helmets in the field. This is after seeing about two full strength regiments with nothing but the soft cap. So my overall answer is "Clear it with me" to usage of the Czech vz50 or Soviet Ssh40. Absolutely NO Type 90 helmets are to be used. Kim Il-Sung forbade the usage of any Japanese equipment after activation of the KPA in Feb 2, 1948. Weapons: The good stuff here. Now, you maybe thinking "Get any Mosin", but the Soviet Mosins were not re-arsenal finished in 1950 and then dumped by the truckload to the KPA. The KPA used mostly original Great Patriotic War issue Mosin rifles, which had light grey bluing and a rough unlaminated stock. One member has such an example, actual KPA issue. However, original unrefinished Mosins are very rare, so a refurb is acceptable for use. If you can afford it and are 21 years, get an FFL and buy a PPS pistol. All ranks were issued machine pistols within the KPA, same as the RKKA. Sometimes, even officers would carry them into battle, but it was very uncommon. For officers, use preferably a Japanese Type 14 Nambu pistol, mid-late war type. A TT-33 is also a good choice as well. A little unorganized, so forgive me. ^^; |
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brigadepiron
Sergeant 
Belgian United Nations Command (BUNC)
Posts: 145 
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Post by brigadepiron on Aug 30, 2011 2:35:22 GMT -5
Czech helmet has wrong liner & strap for KW no?
Good luck with your group!
BP
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Post by Jungsa Kim on Aug 30, 2011 7:51:34 GMT -5
Actually, another reenactor did some digging and told me that a load of Czech vz50 helmets were dumped on at least two KPA Corps. Why they were not the more common Soviet Ssh40 confuses me, but that is for another day. I have taken a look at the tan/khaki KMT uniform pants. With some minor sewing around the ankle area, they should pass as acceptable "KPA issue". The caps will be a much harder deal however... And thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to need it. |
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It will be incredibly difficult I admit, but I personally want to achieve the level of accuracy the Korean movies have. Of course, there is always room for improving and adapting, I must remember that.
