Bundeswehr Loadout
From Airsoft Community Wiki
The Bundeswehr is the German National Defence Force, its land forces are known as the 'Heer'. In airsoft terms, Bundeswehr equipment is seen regularly at skirmishes, but full recreations are not common. Bundeswehr loadouts are often referred to as 'Flecktarn Loadouts', after the German camouflage pattern that was introduced in 1989.
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General Information
The Bundeswehr has existed since 1954 after Western Europe decided West Germany required it's own defence force to help face the growing threat from the Soviet Union. Between this time and the reunification with East Germany in 1990, the armed forces went through a period of using camouflage similar to the WW2 'Tan and Water' and 'Splinter' patterns, however to conform to NATO standards and to move away from public comparisons between these uniforms and the ones of the Wermacht they adopted a solid colour olive green uniform in the 1960s until the introduction of Flecktarn in 1989. After the reunification of East and West Germany the Bundeswehr became more involved with NATO and UN peacekeeping in Africa, The Balkans, and more recently Afganistan. Because of the availability and relative cheapness of basic kit due to the conscript nature of the force, Flecktarn is a popular choice for Airsofters.. Also important is the increasing choice of replicas modelled on Bundeswehr used firearms.
Flecktarn & Wüstentarn
Flecktarn ('Dot-Camo' in German) is the camouflage pattern used by all branches of the Bundeswehr since 1995 and is a 5-colour disruptive camouflage pattern, comprising black, dark green, grey-green and rust-red clumps and spots on a light green background. The use of spots creates a "dithering" effect, which eliminates hard boundaries between the different colours in much the same way the squares in the newest digital camouflage patterns do. The pattern is designed for use in temperate woodland terrain.
Flecktarn is widely acknowledged as an effective woodland camo scheme; indeed some rate it higher than British DPM for use in U.K. foliage.
There is also a 3 colour desert version, officially called 'Bundeswehr Wüstentarn'. Many airsoft Flecktarn users wear Wüstentarn at Urban FIBUA events.
Weapons of the Bundeswehr
Use of these weapons, most importantly the G36, is a must for most Flecktarn loadouts.
G36 Series
The Heckler & Koch G36 Series is the primary weapon system of the Heer. The standard G36 with dual optics (3x optical sight and 1x red dot sight) is issued to all infantry. However the Heer also makes use of the rest of the G36 series. The more compact 'k' and 'c' versions are used for example by Special units, military police and vehicle crews. The G36 can accept a proprietary bipod and a grenade launcher designated AG36. The use of high capacity C-Mags is a controversial subject within airsoft. While there are several images from early in the Afganistan showing troops using these, it is rare to find more recent images showing these used due to the impractical bulk and weight of them. In airsoft however this can provide a cheap alternative to a support weapon, while retaining a moderately realistic outlook.
Recently there has been an influx of G36 replicas on the airsoft market. Initially the only way of getting a full G36 was to buy a Tokyo Mauri G36c and perform an expensive conversion. Now however there are several ranges of G36 made by different companies including STAR and Classic Army that field all the variants.
G3 Series
The Heckler & Koch G3 was introduced to the Bundeswehr in 1959, but now largely replaced by the G36. However it was still widely used until the late nineties and can happily be used with a Flecktarn loadout.
Tokyo Mauri and Classic Army produce both produce variants of the G3.
MG3
The MG3 is the standard GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) of the Bundeswehr, where it is used in many roles. It is a much refined version of the MG42 chambered in 7.62mm NATO. While it is due to be replaced by the MG4, there is little evidence of this happening in theatres of operation.
Shoei produce gas replicas of the MG42, and companies such as Echigoya produce AEG internals and external modification to create a reasonably accurate working replica.
MP2 Uzi Submachine gun
The full size Uzi was in use with the Bundeswehr until the nineties, designated MP2. It was replaced by newer weapons but would be suitable for an older themed loadout.
Tokyo Marui produce an Uzi AEG.
MP5 Series
Though not generally in service the Heckler & Koch MP5 series is used by specialist Bundeswehr units and military police, often in urban environments. the MP5SD3 is commonly seen in use with specialist units.
There are several ranges of airsoft MP5s, including Tokyo Marui, ICS, Classic Army and G&G
MP7
The MP5 is widely being replaced by one of the newest additions to both the Bundeswehr's and Tokyo Mauri’s armouries: the Heckler & Koch MP7. The MP7 is being issued to specialists and vehicle crews as well as military police units, but would not look out of place on an airsoft Flecktarn loadout.
Tokyo Marui produce an MP7 AEP.
P8
The Heckler & Koch P8 replaced the Walther P1 as the standard sidearm for the Bundeswehr and is a modified version of the standard Heckler & Koch USP. The tactical variant used by some units is designated P12, which features a threaded barrel and an adjustable real sight
Tanaka Works make a very good replica of the P8, but it is lacking in performance. For a more useful skirmishing pistol this is often substituted by a standard USP, which is produced by a few manufacturers such as KSC or TK.
G22 Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)
The AI AWM is the sniper rifle of choice in the Heer. Designated G22, it features a folding stock and chambered for .300 Winchester magnum. A must for those wishing to be a German 'Meisterschütze' (marksman).
There are several airsoft AI type rifles in production such as the Maruzen Type 96 and the Tanaka Works M700 AICS but no exact replicas. Star are due to release a more accurate version of the rifle in the coming year.
Clothing
The first essential items of kit are obviously Flecktarn BDU's. This consists of Flecktarn combat trousers and combat shirt. Next comes the Flecktarn Parka, a superb piece of kit.
Headdress
German troops are often seen wearing boonie hats and other soft camouflage head gear, such as the traditional German field cap. German berets, similarly to U.K. forces come in different colours for different service arms. Below is a summary:
Black — armoured units, including armoured reconnaissance and the now disbanded panzerjäger (anti-tank)
Dark red — special units, including airborne troops, mountain troops, army aviation, division airmobile operations (DLO; 'Division Luftbewegliche Operationen), and Division Special Operations (DSO; Division Spezielle Operationen), including the KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte)
Light red — support units, including artillery, engineers, intelligence, psychological operations (Operative Information), anti-aircraft, supply, NBC protection, signals, electronic warfare, transport, topography, and military police
Moss green — infantry units, including Jägertruppe, Panzergrenadiere (armoured infantry), and ceremonial guards (Wachbataillon des Heeres); military bands
Dark blue — medical units
Navy blue — Luftwaffe (air force) and Deutsche Marine (navy) infantry and ceremonial guards; multinational units (e.g. Eurocorps)
German berets are 'shaped' in a similar manner to U.K. berets, with regimental/corp badge over the left eye and the beret smoothed over to the right (see picture at top of page).
The Bundeswehr Flecktarn kevlar helmet is similar to a cross between the PASGT and MICH helmets of the US Army, and can be issued with either a reversible Flecktarn/white camouflage cover or a Wüstentarn one, both featuring foliage loops. Before the introduction of the kevlar helmet a steel M1 helmet was used, later with a Flecktarn cover featuring foliage loops in a distinctive X pattern on the top.
Insignia
Some Flecktarn wearers wear the same insignia as Heer soldiers to create a full impersonation. There are four common pieces of insignia found on most uniforms.
1. Cap Badge Each Heer regiment has its own unique cap badge, and looks great on an impersonation when worn with the appropriate beret. When looking at the beret the cap badge appears above the left eye.
2. Qualification Badges The position, number and shape of these badges varies greatly. Most are placed either above the right side chest pocket or arms.
3. Unit Badge Commonly the unit badge is for battalion level units but can be platoon level, especially for more specialist units. This is worn on the right arm, under the German tricolour.
4. Rank Slides and 'Litze' Rank slides are worn on the shoulder taps. Litze are small coloured strips on the slides that indicate service arm e.g. Green for infantry.
This list is by no means definitive!
Webbing, Tac Vests and Flack Vests
This section covers the common load bearing systems that the Bundeswehr uses and thus what a re-enactor should be interested in.
Webbing
Webbing is the most common load bearing system used by airsofters. It is a simple, proven and effective method of carrying all the kit that one needs in the field, however in recent years this is being neglected by the Bundeswehr's operational forces in favour of tactical vests for anything other than training.
Flecktarn webbing uses a novel system of 4 plastic pegs which clip through matching holes on the belt, with two of these being secured by a flexible tab. This means there is no issue with removing a single pouch from the belt order without disrupting the others, and there is no possibility of movement of pouches during use. There are a large variety of pouches available to the Flecktarn airsofter, the most common being G36 double magazine pouches, canteen pouches and a large buttpack useful for other items as well as more specialist radio and pistol holsters.
Harness padding and insignia belt buckles are also available as non-issued items from most surplus shops.
Flak Vests
The flak vest or "Splitterschutzweste" provides protection from fragmentation, however it does not contain and hard ceramic plates and as such offers little or no protection from bullets. It is no longer issued to operational troops in favour of vests containing plates, however it is still seen in use during training.
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Tactical Vests and Body Armour
There are a large amount of tactical vests in flecktarn on the market. However, most are reproduction and are not in general service with the Bundeswehr. The most widespread vest in use is the Mehler Bristol-Light type vest, which incorporates soft kevlar, bullet proof ceramic plates and chest mounted magazine pouches, as well as the ability to fit standard webbing pouches. An example of it is shown to the left.
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Replacing this vest, however are the IdZ (Infanterist der Zukunft) vests, developed in response to U.S. modular systems. This is either an 'over' vest which is designed to be worn over a body armour vest, or a single piece armour and webbing combination. The two are distinguishable by the waistcoat type opening on the two piece vest. The vests feature both horizontal and vertical webbing straps. This allows pouches to be mounted horizontally and vertically. This is being seen increasingly in the field and, though expensive, is easily available to the airsoft market.
Dropleg Holsters
Dropleg holsters have been seen in use in the field with military police, as well as dump pouches. These are often in black, though Flecktarn versions do exist.
Special Loadouts
German special forces units such as the KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command)) dress, by nature of their role, different in different situations. This gives scope for re-enactors to give a German 'feel' to normal CQB or 'Civilian' looks, for example. It also allows for more variety of weapons, from MP5s to M4s.
Flecktarn Airsoft Teams
There are many Flecktarn airsoft teams. Here are a few examples:
Jagdkommando 1: http://www.jagdkommando1.com/
Fallschirmjägerbataillon 241: http://www.fschjgbtl241.com/about.php
Spezialkräfte Airsoft Gruppe: http://www.sag.com.pt
Other Info/Useful Links
Useful online stores:
http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/ (UK)
http://www.asmc.de/ (Germany)
http://www.recon-company.com/ (Germany)
http://www.stephan.de/php/us_frame.php4?userid=a2a6ca8d33a65c31e500fd9b1e3d740b (Germany)
