Parachutist Uniform

[karl]

I'm new to French Indochina War reenacting and would the combination of a US HBT camo jacket and US M42 trousers, in leu of M47 Trousers be acceptable for a parachutists impression and what time period would it be most appropriate with? Also were Brown US Corcoran boots or US Roughout/Service shoes w/ leggings ever used or only M43 double buckles?
Merci,
Karl

[cookie]

Karl,

Clothing: no, each unit, during each year/campaign/operation wore different uniforms and different combinations of uniforms.

For example, the 6e BPC at Tu Le in Oct 1952 (my favourite battle to study) wore US camo 'duckhunter' jackets (army M43, & USMC P44 & 4th pattern raider). They mainly wore British windproof camo trousers though some wore US green M43 HBT fatigue trousers, 'duckhunter' camo trousers or French Mle 47.

Webbing was a mixture of US WWII tan web gear and french Mle 50 TAP web gear.

Boots were US M43 buckle boots, Mle 50 para boots, Pataugas bush shoes and some few US corcorans and French Mle 17 ankle boots.

Each unit was individual to each battle and campaign. Pick a unit, preferably one which is well photographed (Legion, 6e BPC, 8e BPC etc) and copy what they are wearing in the photos. If it doesn't fit what you have in your wardrobe then save up and get the right gear - it is a minefield!

As for the boots and shoes you listed, US roughouts, Corcorans and double buckle boots were all worn in greater or lesser degrees by most units. Airborne, legion and infantry. US leggings are seen being worn by infantry right up until the end of the war in '54. You cannot go wrong with a pair of US double buckle boots.
I would say steer away from the M42 para trousers. As Marsouin states they were very rare and usually reserved for walking out in town. They would not have been reinforced like WWII 82nd and 101st Airborne either. Get yourself a pair of US green HBT fatigue trousers.

[cavalryscout]

Where can one get a good repro 47/52 or 47/53 model TAP uniform?

[marsouin]

Well Panzerfaust (if I remember well...) sells TAP 47/52 on E***Y.Nut keep in mind that 47/52 was only used in 1953/54 and that 47/53 was scarcely seen in 1954 (actually it is more considered to be an algerian war item)....

[cavalryscout]

As I recall, there was a problem with some misdropped uniforms at DBP. The VM got new camo uniforms intended for the garrison. These should have been 47/52s?

[cookie]

Yes, most likely. It would be highly unlikely that they were 47/53's as you need to add at least 12-18 months onto the clothing items designation before it was seen in theatre. 47/51's were less numerous and by 53 were replaced by the 47/52s.

[savoy6]

what about US m43 field pants?

[lew]

The camouflage uniform? Yes, those did see use by the Paras in Indochine.

[craigtx]

I don't believe the M43 was. Although there is a photo of the 2e BEP in HBTs. But I've learned never to say never in regards to Indo. I wouldn't rule it out, but I haven't seen any photo evidence.

[can]

Another good word to stay away from is Always