Authenticity Page Three
Winter Gear, continued.
It might not look cold, but it was...
This guy (left) is wearing the greatcoat and the fur-cap, the Shapka-Ushanka. This was made with a wool body and synthetic fur. They were padded inside with a variaty of materials.
They don't look like much, but they are damn good fighters...(Note: If you look like this, you are there, comrade!)
The next most common winter gear is the padded clothing. The jacket, or telogrieka; and the trousers, or vatnie sharovari. Felt boots, or valenki, were issued for extremely cold temperatures.
This box art from a 1:35 scale model kit shows the various types of uniforms worn including the telogrieka (far left, kneelingman with PPsH-41 SMG) and the greatcoat (far right, standing man)
The reenactor at right is dressed almost identically
to the man with the PPsH and in the telogreika.
This is one way you can use pictures to check your impression.
One way to Improve your Impression...
The book(s) to get when trying to authenticate your impression is Red Army Uniforms in WWII and Red Army Uniforms 1918-1945 in Color Photographs.
These books show photos original uniforms, mostly enlisted and junior officers, and equipment. They are a must for every RKKA reenactor.
You can find them at Amazon.com or call Dan Welch.
Still to come, Equipment and weapons for the Red Army Rifle Squad...
