L&P Military History

GPMG Gunner in Germany. Late 1970's British Army of The Rhine.
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Lancer getting some practice on moving and handling the L7A2 GPMG
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British Army Sniper, early 1980's in West Germany.
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This is Paladins ghillie suit in action. We have covered it before in a previous post. Made using a 1968 Pattern Smock and Trousers, using only period materials and methods.
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Accompanying the kit is an L42A1 sniper rifle, ghillied up. These were converted into 7.62 from old Lee Enfield No.4 MK1 T sniper rifles. Used during WW2 and into the 1960's.
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We'll be showing this off more often as part of
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Red Mist 3 with
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Another great weekend with the lads from slaying some commies in Brit kit.
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The average kit of a British Soldier in the late 1970's. British Army of The Rhine in Germany. With a few personal modifications, and missing the second poncho roll containing NBC kit.
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In this case, Lancer is taking the role of a GPMG Gunner.
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1958 Pattern Webbing, 1968 Pattern Trousers and Smock, MK4 Helmet with MK5 liner, DMS Boots with Putties, etc.
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We'll be at Red Mist 3 Cold War filmsim in 2 weekends time alongside the lads from
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Some photos from the weekend, Lancers updated 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during The Falklands War 1982 kit. This time was a GPMG Gunner.
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Will be posting up a more in depth look at some of the items in future. Including Paladins Para kit.
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D Squadron 22 SAS during The Falklands War 1982.
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The kit used by the SAS at the time was fairly varied, belt kits were based on personal preference and what the lads could obtain, either through the stores, purchases, or swaps with other SF units abroad.
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The jackets seen on a lot of SAS lads during the war was the "Berghaus Igloo Parka". These were purchased in bulk from what is nowadays Cotswold Outdoors, and were dished out to the SAS lads. These were put on a credit card just before the journey south. This jacket is a slightly later "Berghaus Kang Parka", however is a good stand in for the igloo.
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The belt kits of SAS troopers was a wide mixture. This one contains a mix of SAS drop loop Pouches, 44 Pattern Pouches, and some 58 Pattern items, all on an original roll pin belt.
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Accompanying this is the "Pack Lightweight", this was seen often with SAS units from the late 1960's all the way to the mid 1990's. This example is by far the best replica on the market made by
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The gloves used are the Northern Ireland Patrol Gloves, a leather glove popular with a variety of units in the Falklands War, as well as the issued Arctic Cap, this being a Falklands War era example.
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An awesome weekend at with
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Representing the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment Of Yorkshire during 1977/78 on exercise in Celle, Germany. Our display centering around Support (SP) Company, Mortar Detachment.
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Got nothing but positive feedback from a number of veterans, and we are glad we are keeping the history of the regiment alive, and been told we are doing it correctly.
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A member of Seal Team One on operations in the Mekong Delta region. Armed with a Stoner 63 LMG, it was common to see the majority of members of Seal Teams armed with light machine guns such as the Stoner 63 and modified M60's.
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Taken at the last Nam event at
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Looking forward to getting back into airsoft once more when I'm out of hospital.
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2 British Cold War Firearm icons. The L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR), and the L7A2 GPMG. Both chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
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One being the standard Infantry weapon from the late 1950's to to the mid 80's. The other the section automatic throughout the cold war and beyond.
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Both are airsoft replicas, the L1A1 is Ares, the GPMG is a custom piece, built up from an M240B.
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Just admiring this set of large boy sized jungles.

Size 6 Jungle shirt is common enough, but the size 23 trousers?! Didn’t even think they went this high!
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Starting to get a soft spot for 49 Pattern Battledress
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A look at our helmet display cabinet
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First: (2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during The Falklands War)
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This contains a few falklands war used items, and relevant items: a mug and water bottle from a Falklands veteran, Sterling Smg cleaning kit, an era cold weather cap, original DMS Boots label, box of 1976 dated 9mm rounds, 1970 dated LAW 66mm manual, 58 Pattern compass Pouch, engineering compass, and a set of Para wings.
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Second: (D.H, Royal Navy Engineer, served on HMS Exeter in both The First Gulf War, and Bosnia)
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This contains some of his original items, as well as items he confirmed as using in his service: His original survival knife, private purchase, carried on his belt, his original engineer compass, HMS Raleigh band, L85A1 blank firing attachment, S10 Respirator, L85A1 Magazine, Royal Navy Beret, and his original MEM Ranks.
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Third: (British Army of the Rhine, 1970's)
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This contains all original items from the period: S6 Respirator with filter, decontamination powder, decontamination kit, clansman radio handset, inert Gr***de, cardbox Ammo box 7.62, and a copy of basic battle skills.
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Fourth: (US Armoured vehicle crew, Vietnam War)
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This contains all original items apart from the 1911: M1911 magazine with 45 ACP rounds, original zippo lighter, original 20rnd M16 magazine, and a number of period training manuals.
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US Navy Seal from Seal team one in the Mekong Delta region, South Vietnam
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Was great to run this kit at a Vietnam event at
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Was a great small numbers event, was an absolute blast running with &
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Some photos from our display with and
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With a variety of kit on display, here is lancers Jungle Warfare Cadre kit, 1978.
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We will be back for York Festival of Ideas 2024!
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Royal Engineers Sapper, Paladin showing the basic uniform used by Royal Engineers during the Korean War who were assigned to clearing b***y traps and mines. Usually covered by men armed with the typical weapons at the time. Including a lot of grenades for clearing spider holes.
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Going to be in York this weekend?

Why not pop over to the Eye of York, and visit a timeline history of The Prince of Wales’ Own Regiment of Yorkshire.

We will be displaying over the weekend as part of in association with

Very lucky to have obtained a pair of these, probably repro but regardless, don’t see too many of these.
No Malay Emergency kit is complete without a pair!

Iconic of British army soldiers in Malaya, these jungle boots eventually gave way to the much more desirable US Army Jungle Boots.

From speaking to vets, the canvas and rubber used to fall apart, and from owning a set, I can see why!

Guess we’ll have to put a Malay Emergency kit together now!

2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during The Falklands War (Op Corporate).
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This mannequin shows the kit used by a section leader, 2 PARA.
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2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was part of "3 Commando Brigade" during the war, and took part in 2 decisive battles: The Battle of Goose Green, and the Battle of Wireless Ridge.
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The equipment of a Para during the conflict greatly varied compared to regular Infantry units. On this mannequin is the following:
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Helmet - Lightweight Parachutists Helmet (Sometimes called the M76)
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58 pattern webbing set up in a much different configuration to regular Infantry: left & right ammo pouches, 3x 2nd issue water bottle pouches, a first issue water bottle pouch, a 44 pattern water bottle pouch, a compass pouch, and the belt flipped upside-down in order to mount the poncho roll on the top containing a poncho and crisp packet dpm waterproof.
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The clothing is a kf shirt, a wool jumper, and an Arctic Windproof. Arctic clothing were given to the Para's and other regiments whilst sailing to The Falklands as part of the task force. The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment Of Yorkshire was one of the regiments forced to give up their arctic clothing, despite being on standby for Arctic operations at the time.
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The last edition is a Clansman PRC 349 radio. These were used at the section level as a form of radio communication in the field. It was usually issued with a pouch, battery, antenna, and a headset with attached throat mic and push to talk.
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The weapons carried by Para's did not differ for the period, however a large amount of LAW 66mm Rockets were issued to Para's. These were never used for their intended purpose, against light armoured vehicles, but were mainly used to take out defensive positions.
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Usually we give ourselves 1 impression to build over the winter ‘off season’, with the goal of it being ready for the next season.

Paladin’s Winter 2023/Spring 2024 project will be this, a British Army recruit circa 1960s. Very nice mismatched look, 37pattern webbing, Denim BDs, SLR, would make for a great look 😏

Another successful day at
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Displaying the Royal Engineers in 4 different periods, late WW2, late Korea, mid 1960s, and late 1970s. As well as WRAC in the 70's.
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Here is lancer with his 1960s kit
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It’s not all work, work, work.

Sometimes you just gotta have a drink and play some pool.

British Army, Jungle Warfare Cadre, Belize 1978.
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Specialist training for harsher environments such as the jungle and the Artic are necessary. The kit must also be suited to your environment.
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This mannequin shows a generic set up of a member of the British Army's Jungle Warfare Cadre. Taken from photos by Colin Davey.
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The webbing used is 1944 Pattern Webbing equipment. A mix of first and second issue. 2 Ammo Pouches, Yoke, belt, small pack, water bottle pouch (sometimes 2 were carried), and a golok machete with Sheath.
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The uniform is standard jungle shirt and trousers in Jungle DPM (nicknamed "dayglow"). We are unfortunately missing a period jungle hat, as decent sizes are hard to find.
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Being carried is a C**t 602, an early M16 Variant purchased and trialed by British troops in jungle environments. This includes Belize, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. These were never fully adopted by British troops, however were commonly used by special forces units at the time.
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Lancer will be wearing and displaying this kit at York Festival of Ideas on June 10-11th.
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The kit of a British Soldier on public order duties in Northern Ireland early 1970's.
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Most likely a lot of the 58 Pattern Webbing items would be first or second Pattern. However to save having to dismantle our first pattern Webbing, we've replaced it with some third issue pouches.
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We don't personally display Northern Ireland Kit at shows, however we do collect it.
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British Sniper 22 SAS in Germany early 1980's.
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Paladins sniper kit. We have done a detailed breakdown of the materials and garments used for this in a previous post.
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Complete with L42A1 🇬🇧
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Lancers British soldier of the mid 1960's kit. Especially those who were part of the British Army of the Rhine.
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A kit we'd like to see more of, so we thought we'd do a detailed breakdown.
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This covers the basic fighting order.
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The helmet being used is a MK4 Steel Helmet with the original liner, this was standard for the time, and has been dressed with a sandbag cover, pieces of camo Netting, a helmet net, and some pieces of an old 60's KF Shirt. Although it wasn't unusual to see MK3 helmets also being issued.
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The clothing is also standard for the time, consisting of an older style KF Shirt from the late 1950's, a 1960 Pattern Combat Smock and Trousers, short Putties, and DMS Boots.
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The webbing is a complete set of first issue 58 Pattern Webbing. Although not ideal in design, these were the most common Webbing sets to be used for this period. This carries a wide variety of kit needed in the field.
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The weapon is an L2A3 Sterling Smg. Not standard for most troops, but more issued based on specific roles. As lancer is a Radioman, he would be issued one as standard. To go with this is the no.5 "jungle" Bayonet, as the sterling was designed to mount these on, despite being unpopular for that purpose.
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If you have any questions at all feel free to ask.
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Lancer (Pte. Hidden) running as the Majors Radioman during our 1 PWO in Berlin, 1965 display at
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Shown in both a static and a mobile role. Lancer is using the Larkspur radio system, the predecessor to the Clansman radio family.
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A more in depth post will follow shortly on the clothing and equipment being used.
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British 1944 Pattern Webbing configured for Jungle Warfare Cadre, 1978.
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Despite the belief of some, this Webbing was designed during the second world war however never saw use during the war.
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The webbing was designed for the continuing war in the far east against Japan in places like Burma and Hong Kong.
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Post War this Webbing became standard issue to British Forces deployed in the far east. This Webbing was used a variety of conflicts including: Malaysia Emergency, Singapore, Hong Kong, Borneo Confrontation, Korean War, Cyprus, Aden, Suez Crisis, Palestine, etc.
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The most popular individual item from this set was the water bottle pouches. Used outside of their standard issue on SF belt rigs and others.
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L/Cpl Melling hoping he'll be Berlins next Stallion of the month.
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Taken at our display with at
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1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment Of Yorkshire during the 1970's had a regimental magazine, written by the troops. Mainly focusing on their deployments in Northern Ireland. This example being read is from 1977.
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Our first display of the year with at
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Prince of Wales's Own Regiment Of Yorkshire in 1965. Berlin, Germany.
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Ben running as the majors Radioman, and Bucky as his personal guard.
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"By Strength and Guile". Special Boat Service (SBS) during The Falklands War (Op Corporate).
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A lot of similar kit to what members of the SAS and 148 Battery used during the conflict, with some custom kit such as the extraction chest rig.
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Been after one of these chest rigs for ages, originally made by
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Thank you to for the opportunity to buy one, will be put to good use for this kit, and airsoft games where a chest rig is needed.
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