Luftwaffe
Aircrew Reenactors Association
Uniform Guide and Code of Conduct & Uniform Guidelines
The purpose of this guide is to ensure the historical accuracy
of the portrayal of the flying branch of the World War Two
German Luftwaffe. These rules are blended from period Luftwaffe
regulations and the availability of original and reproduction
items.
Members beginning their Luftwaffe impression should begin with
the service dress and work toward the special clothing and
equipment for flight duty. This allows more diversity for the
member in that, particularly early in the war, Luftwaffe pilots
sometimes wore the regular uniform components during such duty.
New members could then participate in both flight duty displays
and service dress situations. Service dress uniforms are also
reproduced and are generally less expensive than the specialized
flight duty clothing and equipment. Vendors are listed on the
website.
Members under age
18 may participate at the discretion and with the permission of
their parent/guardian. Parents/Guardians are responsible
for their minors.
When in uniform portraying a member of the Luftwaffe, members
will conduct themselves in period German military fashion. All
military courtesies will be afforded officers, regardless of
branch of service. The senior NCO or Officer in a group is
responsible for this. Members will also conduct themselves with
chivalry and, as such, afford appropriate courtesies to women,
elders and properly guarded enemy prisoners of war.
NO member will be permitted to exhibit the ideals of the Nazi
regime. Period Politics WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Use or possession of any illegal drugs will be grounds
for immediate dismissal from the Association. The consumption of
alcoholic beverages will only be permitted in moderation and not
permitted at any time during public displays or events that
include the handling of firearms.
LARA personnel will not fire on unarmed combatants or civilians
during reenactments and displays, be they public or private.
Haircuts will be of 1940’s German military style. “Bowl Cuts”
are NOT necessary and contradict period Luftwaffe photos.
Trimmed mustaches of period length are allowed but discouraged.
No other facial hair permitted.
Regardless of historical correctness, at no time will any member
use the Nazi salute. Only military style hand salutes are
permitted.
With regard to enemy prisoners of war, no discussion about the
specifics of Luftwaffe aircraft, bases or personnel will take
place in their presence. Discussion of aerial encounters is
encouraged however if the prisoners are airmen.
When in a public display, matters of a non-period nature will be
kept to a minimum. All non-period items will be kept out of
public view. Food will be consumed from and with period apparel
whenever possible.
As a prisoner of war, members will continue to conduct
themselves as such and afford enemy officers appropriate
respect.
When speaking to the public, members will refrain from engaging
in conversations about Nazi politics. If asked, the member
should assert the purpose of Luftwaffe reenacting as a study of
the men and machines of the German Air Force, NOT the evils of
the period government. It is easiest to move away from the topic
rather than try to banter about it.
Veterans of any military and especially any war will be treated
with the utmost respect and courtesy.
Under no circumstances will the personal addresses, telephone
numbers or e-mail addresses of any member be given to anyone
outside of the association, except with the express permission
of the member.
No member will be required to relinquish membership in other
reenacting groups.
When “assigned” as aircrew for an original or replica Luftwaffe
aircraft, the member will at all times respect said aircraft,
its pilot and aircrew. At no time will any member perform any
aircraft equipment related task on an aircraft not his own,
unless directed to do so by its owner or aircrew.
UNIFORM GUIDELINES
No member will wear Luftwaffe specific clothing or uniform
components when not engaged in recognized reenacting or living
history events. It not authorized for members to wear Service Dress
in public places such as restaurants unless specific permission
is secured from a member of the LARA Staff.
Tropical uniforms
will be designated as per event requirements and should
generally not be mixed. Tropical uniform clothing may be worn
with Continental caps if necessary, but never the other way
around.
The senior LARA member at an event may designate the uniform as
per period and region. Only members appointed as District
Commanders will assume the ranks of Major and above (except in
the case of veterans). Members portraying a specific historical
figure and with permission of the LARA Staff may assume ranks
historically accurate to the character. These members will not
necessarily assume military authority within the LARA normally
associated with their character rank.
New pilot impressions should be NCO unless authorized by the
LARA Staff. Aircraft owners are permitted officer ranks.
Only reenactors accurately portraying specific historical
characters may take on Oberst ranks and above. Character
reenactors do not maintain administrative or military authority
unless specifically assigned by the Director.
The use of the later, darker blue West German Luftwaffe tunics
is not permitted. Tunics of the earlier, blue/gray, higher wool
content will continue to be authorized.
The use of medals and decorations will be minimized and
authorized by the LARA Staff. A balance which is age/rank
appropriate will be the goal.
To allow for versatility, no cuff titles should be permanently
affixed to tunics. However, specific Geschwader cuff titles are
authorized for specific impressions. The Jagdgeschwader Dulias
cuff title is authorized for use by any member.
Visor Cap –
Officer: Only good reproduction or original. Janke,
Reddick, Lost Battalions, Traders of the Lost Surplus, etc.,
copies with appropriate bullion insignia.
Visor Cap – NCO/Enlisted: Reproduction, original
or correctly modified West German Luftwaffe. Fahnrich ranks may
wear the silver bullion chin cord, as per Luftwaffe regulations.
White Topped Visor Cap: All ranks, permitted for
wear between April and September.
“M-43” caps: Blue/gray wool of rank appropriate
grade. Officers’ caps with silver piping. No piping for
NCO/Enlisted ranks.
“M41” Tropical caps: Correct shade of Luftwaffe
tropical tan. Tan lining (no red). Officer’s caps are to display
correct piping.
“Hermann Meyer” Tropical caps: Correct
reproduction or original. Rank specific accessories are
optional. Red lining is correct.
Overseas Style caps: Blue/gray wool of rank
specific grade and tress. Tropical caps of correct tan material
with tan liner (no red).
Fliegerbluse: Blue/gray wool of rank specific
grade. Janke, GMAX, Traders of the Lost Surplus, Lost Battalions
sources. Waffenfarbe will be of gold yellow for flying troops
(correct Waffenfarbe for other branches) . Breast eagle of early
droop tail or later version.
Tuchrock: Correct reproduction, original or
correctly modified EARLY West German. If modified, all incorrect
piping and buttons must be removed and/or replaced.
Summer Tunic: Correct reproduction,
original or correctly modified German Police or Navy tunic.
Buttons must be of correct WWII pattern and style. Permitted for
wear April – Sept. If blue shirt is worn underneath, blue/gray
trousers or breeches will be worn, otherwise white trousers will
be worn by officers with the white summer tunic. White buck low
shoes are optional.
Trousers: Correct WWII style, pattern and color.
Officers and certain senior NCO's may wear riding breeches with
boots.
Footwear: Rank specific WWII pattern “jackboots”
or officer’s riding style boots. English riding boots are
permissible with level trimmed tops.
Uniform Shirt: Chambray/Oxford cloth two pocket
collared shirt. US Navy work shirts are permissible. Period
reproductions such as the Lost Battalions "blue mingled"
Luftwaffe service shirt are preferred. Cloth breast eagle is
optional over right breast pocket. Worn closed at the neck with
black cloth four-in-hand necktie. Neck decorations may be worn
in place of tie, except in compliance with dress uniform orders.
White cotton, collared civilian pattern dress shirt will be worn
with formal day dress, also with black four-in-hand tie. French
cuffs and cuff links are optional. Cuff links will be of period
style.
Belt: Rank specific belt. Officer’s belt will be
brown with double prong open buckle. NCO/Enlisted will be black
and of correct Luftwaffe pattern. Correct tropical web
belts are authorized with tropical uniforms.
Sidearm: NCO/Officers will carry sidearms when “on
duty” in “occupied territories”. No captured firearms. Axis or
occupied territories production firearms only. Holster will be
worn slightly to the rear at left waist, butt forward. No
sidearms (handguns) at formal dinner functions. Members are
individually responsible to abide by local, State and Federal
firearms laws of possession and concealment.
Gloves: Gray or Blue/Gray gloves whenever
practical. Officer’s gloves stay on except to eat. White gloves
should be worn with formal day dress and with white summer
tunic.
Greatcoat: Blue/Gray wool of rank specific grade
or leather for officers. Shoulder boards of correct rank will be
used. Collar tabs optional on wool coats.
Flying Jackets: Private purchase, short leather
jackets optional. Of period cut, style and lining. Rank insignia
optionally worn at shoulder boards or sleeve insignia. Breast
eagles optional. Medals and badges are optional. Original or
correct reproduction cloth flying jackets are optional. (S&M
Wholesale, Traders of Lost Surplus, private purchase)
Flying Boots: Original or correctly constructed
reproductions.
Flying Helmets and Goggles: Original and correct
Luftwaffe issue. “Captured” goggles of correct period
construction permitted, but discouraged.
“Channel Suits”: Original or correct
reproductions.
Life vests: Luftwaffe pattern inflatable or Kapok.
Correct repro’s permitted.
Sunglasses: Period style acceptable
Special
Medals: In the event it is deemed appropriate, the
use of medals which feature an overly prominent Swastika (such
as the "Cross in Gold or Silver", may be temporarily suspended
for an event.
