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Imperial Uniforms and Insignia

Originally posted by Mysterion:
Actually,that seems to a Cavalry thing. Was an ordanance specialist in the US Army, and at one point was assigned to 1st Sqdn/9th Cav at Fort Lewis,WA. The first time the Squadron had a big awards ceremony, I was totally taken-aback by the sight of the officers running about in BDUS wearing Cav-stetson hats, and (honest-to-god) spurs on their combt boots. And they trust these guys with expensive helicopters...
And yellow neckercheifs tucked in like ascots. :rolleyes:

True. The pilots I saw were also from a 9th Cav squadron. I have since come to understand the practice dates to the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division to Vietnam in 1965. (Although the hats they wore in Vietnam were smaller, battered, and looked more like a Remington painting than Hollywood).

But I only saw Cobra pilots wearing them in 1973, and I was told that the "blue" and "white" platoons didn't wear them.
 
Originally posted by Frank Lee Scarlett:
You know what'd really be cool (I think)? You may have seen those books that elaborate on uniforms of various countries from various wars and eras (you know ... maybe ... the ones with all the nice color profiles and such that show soldiers, sailors and airmen wearing the various uniforms in all their splendor). Wouldn't it be nice to see such a book (or, dare I say ... website) that had the same look but featured uniforms of Traveller (Imperium. Solomani, Zhodani, Vargr, Aslan, etc.)? :D
Write it! Give me text and graphics, and I'll be more than happy to give it a home at Freelance Traveller!
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Originally posted by Jeff Zeitlin:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Frank Lee Scarlett:
You know what'd really be cool (I think)? You may have seen those books that elaborate on uniforms of various countries from various wars and eras (you know ... maybe ... the ones with all the nice color profiles and such that show soldiers, sailors and airmen wearing the various uniforms in all their splendor). Wouldn't it be nice to see such a book (or, dare I say ... website) that had the same look but featured uniforms of Traveller (Imperium. Solomani, Zhodani, Vargr, Aslan, etc.)? :D
Write it! Give me text and graphics, and I'll be more than happy to give it a home at Freelance Traveller!
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</font>[/QUOTE]I just found this while bored and perusing my posts. This would be a very cool Idea.

Oh and for the record: IMTU

Navy: Black.
Army: Varies With regiment.
Marines: Maroon
Scouts. No Uniform. Except - issue brown leather/suede jacket reminicsent of Battle Star Gllactica's 'Colonial Warrior' jackets.

Ranks All branches that have ranks: 01 to 05 - series of fat and thin stripes. Flag/Feild Rank Sunbursts instead of Stars/Diamonds/Maple leaves.

Other ranks: 'V' shaped cheverons& sunbursts
 
My Lords,

Been Ruminating on such a topic for a bit now, and have posted some examples here, in the Uniforms Section of Gushemege Outfitters.

Some Uniforms


I know the Books you speak of, my only regret is the cost, but they are well worth it
 
I seem to be a lttle late to this particular discussion , but I will toss in my .02 also . I was told by a Sgt of mine that the troops that had berets at the time ( airborne , rangers et al ) would cut the lining out of the inside of the beret so that they would lay better. Just as an aside I served in the 3/4 cav squadron , 25th ID and i never saw anyone in a Stetson. Not outside of Hollywood anyways . But being an enlisted man I wouldn't have put it past most of pilots.
 
Originally posted by Brigand:
I seem to be a lttle late to this particular discussion , but I will toss in my .02 also . I was told by a Sgt of mine that the troops that had berets at the time ( airborne , rangers et al ) would cut the lining out of the inside of the beret so that they would lay better.
It is actually a three step process. First you use a razor to shave all the fuzz off of the wool. Then you cut the lining out. Finally, you wet and form the beret on your head to the look you want, and remove it and let is dry. Once dried, it will 'remember' the shape each time you put it on (provided it is folded properly when not worn).
 
Originally posted by Ranger:

It is actually a three step process. First you use a razor to shave all the fuzz off of the wool. Then you cut the lining out. Finally, you wet and form the beret on your head to the look you want, and remove it and let is dry. Once dried, it will 'remember' the shape each time you put it on (provided it is folded properly when not worn).
We used to leave them on our heads while they dried - they 'learnt' their shape better that way.
 
Even more than that, there seem to be 'styles' of 'setting' a beret. Some like to have four 'finger dimples' along the top ridge. Some like a perfectly smooth top. Some go for a more rounded look, others a more flattened look. Some pull down the hanging side fairly far, and make the ridge for the cap badge fairly pronounced, others wear it like some sort of rumpled chef's hat. I've seen quite a few variations between various nation's forces over the years, but I liked the one I was taught - a good tug on the right (downhanging) side, a slight stretch of the cap-badge area to get it prominently displayed (often reinforced on the inside), a smoothly rounded top. Properly formed, like good boots, it held its shape and looked sharp.

The only other headgear I'd consider adequate replacement would be a ranger hat or a 'boonie' hat (a fisherman's hat, more or less, in khaki) or maybe an Aussie or Kiwi brimmed hat. Or a Balmoral. But you can keep the Tamoshanter, the US brimmed cap from the Vietnam era (or the one the 80s Marines wore), baseball caps, most foreign attempts at things like a beret that look like you're wearing a crumpled pillow, and the wedge. I will add one more acceptable bit of headwear - a bearskin busby. They just look cool. ;)
 
Something I always seem to see in my mind's eye:

I imagine the Imperial Navy Uniform to look something like the clean crisp and rather Zen look of the Japanese Imperial Navy uniforms during WW2. Black plain jacket, mock turtle collar, very little in the way of decoration and such.

Also, have made for cons, a non-specific sci fi uniform. Using the Simplicity Pattern 7274 (Civil War Uniforms), officer's coat done in black with gold lining, have gotten some compliments because of it. Although no one can identify what sci fi I am with.
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Looking over the JTAS line drawing, I think, I can see where you are drawing your inspiration from. Also, Star Wars, Imperial Uniforms tend to have influenced Traveller.

What is strange is the most rapid transformation of the Marines for me. From something that looked like Buck Rogers to Battletech style...
 
Looking over the JTAS line drawing, I think, I can see where you are drawing your inspiration from. Also, Star Wars, Imperial Uniforms tend to have influenced Traveller.

What is strange is the most rapid transformation of the Marines for me. From something that looked like Buck Rogers to Battletech style...
 
when I did my time in the Militia, all Canadian Military Units (Maritime Command, Air command, Mobile Command) where just getting back their 'environmental' uniforms and still pretty much wore Green or Khaki (depending on season) With Green berets. See the Earlier post by my fellow Canadian for the way to form a beret That I was familier with. We too, let them dry on our heads.

Nowadays it's either a Balmoral or a Glengary (or so I gather) The LSSR being a Highland Regiment.

I have 20 year old sketchbook lying around here somewhere with my own (age 16 and traveller addict) drawings of Imperial Uniforms. I see a Strong Influence by the Uniforms of my country at that time. Perhaps a touch of Hollywood german too, especially in the Navy dress uniforms.

While undress caps or soft hats existed, It looks like I clung to the traditional peaked cap.

So... when are we going to do this 'osprey' book for Traveller? I'm game to participate in anyway possible. Though I believe there's better artists out there than me.

(Off topic, but, the New Imperial Guard Codex for warhammer 40k has some pretty rockin' drawings.)

also a little belated:
I think the Yellow Scarf was a cavalry thing. According to a book I have on American Civil War uniforms Rank chevrons and other accessories (including ascots) were colour coded on both sides (normally that is, it appears to have been a war of exceptions) as follows:

Yellow: Cavalry
Blue: Infantry
Red: Artillary
Green: Medical

---

hmm.. That reminds me. Members who served With the UN somtimes continued to wear their powder blue ascots (in the uniform that allowed it.)
 
You see a lot of blue beanies (blue berets) on Remeberance Day up here. A fairly high percentage of our small armed forces have served on UN missions as UNMOs or in other ways.

I remember having the soggy beret sit on my head while it formed. I also recollect filling my combat boots with water and letting it leach out through the pores to take the salt stains out of the leather. Great boots - still have them and they're at least 16 years old now. Best $65 Cdn I ever spent. (Oops, Lost them! How much do I have to pay? Oh, woe is me, Mr. Supply Warrant.....)

I like the Navy's White Dress uniforms. Spartan is a good motif for most uniforms, though a dress uniform with medals, a sash, and other decorations can look sharp too. And anyone who wears a kilt gets an immediate bonus to charisma... ;)

Funnily enough, the Canadian Air Force is buying green coverall/flightsuits for its ground crews. This is of course something that has traditionalists fussed (the blue is going away). But it does fall in line with utility and probably cost efficiency. Dress uniforms will still be blue.

On Rememberance Day, it was neat to see some WW2 vets still able to wear their uniforms. And it was neat to see some of the pipe majors, all fancied up with the kilt, the great plaid, the fancy jackets with all the bits and insignia, the bearskins (probably synthetic by now), and of course their pipes and also white spats, IIRC. Sharp. And boy do the pipes fit solemn occasions....
 
I didn't get out to a Cenotaph on Rembrance day this year but I always remember.

The Common dates:
1911-14
1939-45
1950-53

Lest we forget, and all.

but for me, Lest I forget, there has always been:


Flight Officer Garfield Cunningham, down with his Liberator over some bridge in Burma.


Lest I forget,


Peter Garfield White.
 
Hemdian wrote:

"Here's a little something IMTU (please excuse quality of artwork, I am not an artist)"


Mr. Trevor,

Well, I like it and that despite what the grousers on the TML are typing!

It may not be exactly what is found IMTU but it is damn good just the same. Even better as a matter of fact. In you case, it should be called 'GoodStuffOnline'!

BTW, don't apologize for not being an artist. I lack artistic talent to such an extent that I cannot even draw a bath.

Thank you for sharing with us.


Sincerely,
Larsen
 
Originally posted by Larsen E. Whipsnade:
Hemdian wrote:
"Here's a little something IMTU (please excuse quality of artwork, I am not an artist)"
Mr. Trevor,
Well, I like it and that despite what the grousers on the TML are typing!
It may not be exactly what is found IMTU but it is damn good just the same. Even better as a matter of fact. In you case, it should be called 'GoodStuffOnline'!


Oh, it's good artwork and it's his TU to do as he pleases. Not my cup of tea, as you can tell from my TML "grousing", but yes, good stuff.


BTW, don't apologize for not being an artist. I lack artistic talent to such an extent that I cannot even draw a bath.

Thank you for sharing with us.


Sincerely,
Larsen
 
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