REINACTOR VET

[ciso]

Hi Folks,I first did some reenacting back in 1980-86 with a group called MEDIVAC,we had around 10-15 members based in the west midlands then,around the Worcester/Evesham area,with use of a kaiser jeep "strike one",and two other jeeps,owned by the founder Colin Newman.
we would do Thruxton,and shows on the south coast as i recall.
we did training days,escape an evasion etc and focused on the Air Cav 1/9th unit,a period i greatly enjoyed,and have alot of fond memories of(,back then i had a semi auto .22 rifle !)
having dug out the original gear from the attic,as well eagerly expecting a whole load of kit from a vet of the 101st (who did 4 tours,and was assigned to SOG)
i am very tempted to get out in the boonies,and getting my ass in the grass again,if any unit,may consider taking on "some far out old man!",(it damn near wasted me when i was 18"! ),I' ve done numerous para jumps over the years,as well as working as a scuba diving Instructor around the world.I guess i am kinda wondering if i am gonna need a CV to be able to join up as a FNG now!
well i Just need to get a new "16" and i am ready,just deciding on my options (blank firing,airsoft or paint ball whats best?).I guess there could well be a period dress/equipment code now?,back in the day if it looked OK you were in M56 or M67 was fine,getting bodies was an achievement in its self,and every new"Nam" movie was a field trip for the platoon to see!!
i am in Essex now,and looking forward to going to the Bunker show,on the 15th,and wondering if there are any other meetings/events in the South East?,and looking forward to the war & peace show,and seeing some of you guys in action,and a chewing the fat perhaps!

[LRRP-701]

Hi there,

If you can get to Redditch for the 23rd MAY, for the 2nd woodlands meet
your more than welcome.............

(look in the events section for details or PM me)

Paul

[reconmart]

Welcome ciso, come to the woodland meet 23 may, great site, we are still finding our feet as a newly formed group. yogi is going to the bunker bash from our group, you could meet and chat with him. hope to see you at redditch,
Marty.

[heknowsyouknow]

will be at the bash this weekend ..will be in my ERDLS as usmc reacon just walking about but will be hanging with the cav there haveing a chat do come and have a chat to me if ya see me mate ..names andy /yogi

[ciso]

i can't make the 23rd,i am still not quite ready just yet,from the point of view of getting all my gear together(as i am awaiting some upgrade kit purchases to arrive),also until i have my own "16",I'll feel kind of naked
The burning question is what are you guys using Blank firing,airsoft or paintball ?,
looking forward to seeing what you Grunts have!

CISO

[reconmart]

My group; 3rd force recon use 8mm blanks for re-enacting, a few others from the DMZ group/forum use airsoft, I think the general feeling is we will start off doing airsoft weekends, but along the lines of re-enactment and not airsoft games, with the right minded people wanting full Vietnam War re-enactment airsoft can work, then if enough people get jager 8mm blank firers then it will sometimes be that, also noise is a issue at the moment, once the land owner knows there wont be any arch light bomb runs we will be able to build on things, the next weekend 23rd may, which will be our second meeting we will carry our weapons but not fire them until the go ahead in the future from the landowner, which is fine, still lots to talk about and the site is so big that just patrolling and looking for Charlie is a buzz, some guys haven’t got all the kit yet, but they come along anyway, we are all part of a new group ‘DELTA TO THE DMZ’ All is welcome, guys can borrow my spare M16’s if they need something to carry,
Roll on the 23rd may, ‘’GET SOME!!!’’
Marty.

[ciso]

I guess what i am trying to say is ,that when did this before doing this with a bit of tension thrown in the form of a possible ambush,tripwires,booby traps etc while on a led patrol,and a inevitable looming fire fight made it the past time i enjoyed,and gave it an adrenalin rush i remember.
I am not just looking for direct all out set piece airsoft/blank battles with NVA/VC opponents,but its really exciting to have a lurking opponent out there, watching & waiting to strike,while your on a mental knife edge creeping through the undergrowth,trying to be as quite as possible!
Really i just can't wait to get out there again! ;D,i was surprised to see there are at least 4 Vietnam reenactment groups going at the weekend!,see you soon!

[reconmart]

Hi ciso, I think you have hit the nail right on the head, most of us want the elusive enemy and the patrolling not knowing when or where they may make contact, you will probable know Dave Curtis, he did 5th special forces in the 80’s with Alister and Sticks, Dave then did, NVA, we had/have a site in wales, he was just like you said, trip wires the odd ambush and sneaking up on you from nowhere, Andy Prior and Tim, were with him, Tim still does NVA, and boy does he know his stuff, he loves them trip wires with a bang and he can track like a blood hound, I must get in contact with them once we get the ball rolling with this site of Pauls. My team mate Chris Dizuk did the Nam from way back also, he knows a thing or two about the good old days of re-enacting, hopefully we can start getting things back on track.
Marty.

[deros]

Patrolling with an an enemy sharpens you up, no two ways about it but a lot can be derived from patrolling as if you are there before the enemy.
don't forget tha many patrols did not come under contact at all.