late war Commandos

[Sunray]

Some years ago, (1996 ?) I purchased some issues of an Osprey special edition series with a Lead Soldier collection figure attached.
As the subject title suggests, the issue I really liked was on the WW2 Commandos.     Some great sculpts, in particular the figure that accompanied the first issue. A sergeant of No6 Commando.  What is interesting is that the figure is modelled in a Denison smock. As is a Commando sniper on p.17 which is styled "Normandy 1944".   Can we assume that the Denison smock had become the preferred combat dress of the Commandos by the winter of 1944 ?   By that stage of the war they were no longer seaborne raiders, but were effectively elite assault infantry.   

Sculpting the forth coming Pendraken Commandoes as 'late' and putting a good few  in Denisons, along with berets, cap comforters, and early pattern Bergen rucksacks  would give these figures a shelf life well into the post war period, not to mention some very useful figures for those engagements of D Days +1 to +83 when they held the eastern flank of the British beachhead lodgement.  The Commandoes also were deployed to the Ardennes and spearheaded the assaults on the Rhine, Alter and Elbe.  With a gaming AP of 5/30 (BKC) their 10mm figures  would make their presence felt on the table,  just as much as their inspirations did in real life.

[fred.]

I think the Denison was used by the Commandoes a fair bit - but I have no idea how universal it was.  There was also a wind proof smock that looks very similar to the Dension, but was in a plain colour (a grey green I think).

For elite forces the more variety the better, so different headgear would be great.

Bergens, berets and smocks could also be used for Glider Pilots at Arnhem too.

[nikharwood]

Soudns good to me 

When can we buy some then? 

[Sunray]

The Lieutenant General has spoken -  go Techno and make it so....

[Leon]

Dave wants to do a load of 1950's/60's British at some point, so I'd imagine his plans will include something like those you mention.

[Techno]

The Lieutenant General has spoken -  go Techno and make it so....

I've only got one pair of hands ! 
Cheers - Phil

[Leman]

...and they're mostly used for collecting coats.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Can I just remind punters that the tickets are not for a raffle of coats!

Whoever has Ithorial's WWI bomber jacket and Dour Puritan's black, itchy, woollen smock, please give them back!

[Leman]

Someone's put the smockers on it and I do hate being so comfy. Incidentally, my WWI German hussars arrived today. Wow! terrific figures.

[nikharwood]

Dave wants to do a load of 1950's/60's British at some point, so I'd imagine his plans will include something like those you mention.

Cool 

The Lieutenant General has spoken -  go Techno and make it so....

I've only got one pair of hands ! 
Cheers - Phil

What kind of poor excuse is that then, eh?! 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

What kind of poor excuse is that then, eh?! 

None what so ever - WORK FASTER

IanS 

[Techno]

Faster ?
The wax five got so hot yesterday it burnt the desk when I put it down.....
Cheers - Phil. (I'd better start pushing putty, then.)

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Well you couldnt work much slower....

IanS

[Sunray]

Dave wants to do a load of 1950's/60's British at some point, so I'd imagine his plans will include something like those you mention.

All good stuff Leon, but the figures I describe are much needed to complete your most popular range. World War Two.  The web for late war Commandos will be 37 or "assault jerkin" and I am sure the distinctive Thompson .45 was not used after the war.   The figures I describe are genuine 1944/45 items.

To be honest 1950s/60s figures don't have a big following.  Korea  is about it, and after the 58 web plus SLR is introduced in the mid 60s, your Falklands range will work well with combat jackets painted olive as opposed to the later DPM.

  If Dave is up for a 1960s range then go for generic African bush war types -  Mad Mike Hoare's Wild Geese etc. and Arab/Israeli 1967   Its a best seller in 15mm.

[Techno]

Well you couldnt work much slower.... IanS

 
(You should see the number of figures on the desk at the mo', Ian....I reckon I'm pushing putty on more soldiers than most folk are painting. )
Cheers - Phil

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Ok so at the moment you are very trying....

ianS

[Techno]

Certainly am. 
Cheers - Phil

[nikharwood]