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Kriegsmarine Aircrew Uniform

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: East Kilbride, Scotland
Kriegsmarine Aircrew Uniform
Posted by Blueman on Friday, December 9, 2011 10:48 AM

Hi all,

I have a couple of the excellent 1/32 Arado 196s which I would like to display, one preparing for takeoff with the aircrew in flying clothing doing the pre-flight walkaround and one with the aircrew out of flying clothes while mechanics work on the engine/guns etc. However, I cannot find any details of Kriegsmarine aircrew uniforms. Does anyone out there know about the following:

a. What the pilot and observer badges looked like

b. Where the badges were worn on normal uniform (not flying clothes)

c. What the mechanic badges looked like and where were they worn

d. Lastly, what the flying kit looked like - was it the same as Luftwaffe?

Many thanks for any assistance anyone may be able to give.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11:43 AM

I've a very heavy illustrated book on navy uniforms of WW2 by Andrew Mollo and there is no mention, let alone any provisional artwork of a navy pilot.  Unlike most major navies the Kriegsmarine did not have their own aircraft.   A Luftwaffe general attached to OKM would assign  pilots to the Kriegsmarine, and I assume, would keep their regulation uniform.  No doubt some airplane mechanics were sent along with them.  It is reasonable to assume that the ship would also make available some of it's crew as part of the Arado's "ground crew".

Image google searches should help with your badge queries.

The above photo is of an Arado on board the Tirpitz.  More photos here.

Looks like Luftwaffe had the dark overalls while naval crew had white - again this is just an observation.

 

regards,

Jack

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: East Kilbride, Scotland
Posted by Blueman on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 11:28 AM

Hi Jack,

Thanks for the info mate, I had a sneaking suspicion that this may be the case, but I just couldn't find any supporting evidence. I think that I'll paint the aircrew in flying kit the same as I'd paint a Luftwaffe crew, but with the maintenance scene I'm going to see if I can find a Kriegsmarine figure - either that or start stretching myself and try to sculpt one! Once again, many thanks and happy modelling in 2012.

Kind regards

Nick

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 1:33 PM

Nick , no problem - interesting subject.

For the Kriegsmarine  I think I've seen in the past some 54mm u-boat crew figures that might do the job.  Andrea (maybe some other brands out there too) has 5 individuals linked here

This one looks best for your project:

There is also an obscure Austrian manufacturer that has a couple WW1 figures that would easily convert - Wiener Modelbaumanufactur

For the officer his bow tie would have to be replaced with a necktie and his cap needs more peak and flare at the sides.  The sailor, you would have to remove the shirt pockets along with the underneath striped shirt, and add the special black tie in front.

regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: East Kilbride, Scotland
Posted by Blueman on Thursday, December 29, 2011 4:59 AM

Hi Jack,

Nice one! The WW1 figures would convert very easily indeed, especially the rating. I'm an ex-Royal Navy leading hand and I still have my uniform (somewhere) to copy  - the German uniform is almost exactly the same. As you say, the officer's shirt, tie and cap need work, as does the jacket. Once again, my own present uniform (I'm now an officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary) can be used as the reference as our jackets are identical in cut to the German navy. In both navies, the uniforms, especially the dress uniforms, really haven't changed overly much for a long time. I have to say your help has been fantastic with this one, and I'm sure going to try to track these figures down. Many thanks once again.

Kind regards

Nick Moore

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