News
You've asked for it and we've accepted the challenge - Bring on 2019
If you've been reenacting for a few years, you have witnessed a consistent degradation in the availability of gear for Luftwaffe impressions. Even the FJ reenactors are having a hard time sourcing the right stuff, especially the early/mid-war items.
Your support throughout the years fill us with the optimism to pursue this challenging feat. In fact, since the end of 2018, LWS went all in, and has been planning 6 separate projects to make available key uniforms and equipment that has been unavailable for some time.
We thank you for your loyalty and for keeping your end of the challenge.
Update on Green Jump Smocks
An important update about the production of green smocks by Luftwaffe Supplies.
LWS has been constantly improving the runs of uniforms and equipment for the past 6 years now. As we're working to produce a highly convincing smock for the modern-day reenactor, we understand that cutting corners in the design is not acceptable for us or our clients. In order to offer something truly credible, it must be constructed from the ground up, based on original methods.
Based on a survey LWS conducted last year, we feel its our duty to make sure that while the smock should have the right fabric, the other must-have features are incorporated. Additionally, there's a lot of effort going on to source the right materials (period zippers, leather tabs, 6mm snaps, buttons - the list goes on) and to include as much features as possible. Most importantly, this must be available at a price that the majority of the reenactor community expects.
The Grünmeliert fabric plays a critical role in the success of this project. Reenactors are, above all, asking for an improvement of the fabric, to match the weight and construction of the originals. The easiest way to do this would have been to send an old reproduction smock to the textile manufacturer. However the right fabric is not just about how it looks. From research of the original specifications we now know that previous reproductions require more attention to detail. We have investigated this from original regulations and now know the mix of cotton/blend, the weight, the construction process and also the pattern. We've just finished translating these to a format that modern-day textile manufacturers understand and we're delighted to let you know that we're very soon to start the production of the fabric.
As a reenactor myself, I am an advocate of the term "buy once, buy well" and that's what we're not only working on making the right fabric, but also to pack in the maximum amount of authentic features with the right price tag.
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New Line of German Reproduction uniforms and militaria - Christian von Wohl
Day in day out, we look at ways of bringing new new authentic replica uniforms that contain features of the original militaria, or simply improve existing ones. A testimony to this is explained in the insight into the recently improved blue-gray Luftwafffe fabric, of which the Fliegerblusen have already sold out (but we're taking pre-orders for the next shipment).
We appreciate that some Luftwaffe gear is very hard to come buy, both as originals and also as reproductions. It has always been our wish to offer replicas of hard-to-find pieces, especially those related to German pilots and paratroopers. Our wish and yours, is now finally starting to materialise.
The new line of clothing, branded "Christian von Wohl", is aimed at bringing to life replicas which are not readily available. This line boasts:
- Patterns from original Luftwaffe Militaria
- Period looking packaging and presentation
- Authentic materials
We are very proud to kick-off this line with 2 new items, Luftwaffe Pilot gloves and German Fallschirmjäger gloves!
View the Christian von Wohl Collection!
How do you go about updating an authentic product?
Wehrmacht uniforms were amongst the most mass produced garments of the war. The demand was excessive, the supply was not in abundance, and certain standardization were to be maintained. With many patterns and tailoring firms working for the military, a certain standards was enforced, but enough amount of variance was tolerated when approving garments fit for service, but that doesn't mean that workmanship was to be of any substantial lower quality.
Feedback from customers
Looking at the various reviews and feedback received for our blue-gray products over the past 4 years, there was 1 major area which reenactors wished to see improvements. We have received some very positive feedback about the quality of our line of blue-gray uniforms, which we are proud how. However, some reenactors wished to see improvement to the woolen fabric. It's not that our fabric is of low quality of not thick enough; but rather that the fabric could be more bluish in colour.
Some of the feedback about our blue-gray uniforms
It is not that we were not aware of this. Being a Luftwaffe reenactor and also a collector, I appreciate your feedback. But when I started Luftwaffe Supplies with no external investment, a lot of time was spent to find the perfect balance of good tailoring, good hardware, and quality fabric. A decision was taken to use readily-available fabric, which still made it to our best-selling garments for 4 years. It was still authentic fabric, but it was amongst the grayish we've ever seen.
Luftwaffe Supplies is now in a position to make this change, thanks to your stellar support and custom. After building strong relations with our tailoring firm, we have proceeded to commission new fabric for our top selling uniforms. I wanted to do this to the best of our ability, and there's no better way to do this, than to go back to analysis stage and study a wide range of original fabric to get the specifications. 
The different shades of original Luftwaffe fabric that were analysed.
Tens of original garments were analysed, from Wachmantel, to Fliegerblusen and side caps. Apart from the shade, the fabric also differs in thickness and composition - wool to acrylic ratio. (Yes even pre-war uniforms were not made of 100% wool, let alone wartime production). Infact, things got a lot more complex when comparing pre-war to late-war garments. At this point, a decision needed to be taken. It was observed that it would be best to go with an early-mid war fabric, which should give the best basis for uniforms serving on most of the fronts that we reenact.
After a lot of analysis and also a lot of help from fellow collectors, the biggest challenge still remained - the specifications for the mill to produce the fabric. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, I decided to send one of my original garments to them, so that they can copy the fabric shade.
Months later, the fabric was finally ready. It was a welcome sight to see this project materialise. Finally, a truer Luftwaffe shade for my Fliegerbluse and Trousers offerings. The fabric was immediately sent off to the tailors, and on with the first batch of the new uniforms.
I am very pleased to have achieved this objective and that I am now able to offer you, fellow reenactors and collectors, with an improved line of clothing at Luftwaffe Supplies.
You can find a small note in the product page that indicates that the current stock is with the new fabric. So far the products with the new fabric are:
Do you like this post? please share with your friends and fellow reenactors.
Winter Parkas are still coming
It is high time I posted an update about our project for Heavy Winter Parkas. Things are in progress nicely and might be available by coming winter, with your help.How about a live chat
I am happy to announce that we have integrated with a new plugin in order to make it more simple for our customers (who use Facebook) to ask quick questions or some advice.
It is still recommend that you use the email address for queries that require me to get back to you at a later stage (e.g. specific measurements), or if you want to place orders outside the website.
To start, simply tap on the Lightning icon on your PC browser, at the the bottom right of the screen.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
New Year, more options
This is a quick note to let you know that the major credit cards are now accepted as a new payment option. We retained the same easy checkout process. Simply choose "Credit card" instead of the "Paypal" option, and proceed as normal.
O Tannenbaum - Thank you for 2015
As another year draws to an end, I feel grateful for all the experiences and interactions shared with the reenactment community, and for the knowledge that was passed to me by veteran enthusiasts and collectors, making this hobby better than ever.
With a huge sense of appreciation for the very honest and enthusiastic feedback received about the "Luftwaffe Supplies" project, Thank you. The past 3 years have been very fun and rewarding for me, as more re-enactors, both seasoned and new, entrusted us with providing items for their collection or impression.
Wish you all a Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Easter Holidays
It's that of the year where we take a break & go on a holiday. We would like to inform you that tomorrow morning will be your last chance to have your orders delivered before Easter.
Dispatch of new orders will continue on Wednesday 8th April.