WWII Camo net Burlap Rolls- getting them and dyeing them.

[Gerry42]

I have a couple of nets and have never put them up..... question did they just drape the netting or did they use poles to prop it up like we do now? it would be easy to drape on vehicle but with guns they must have had it off of the gun? what were the poles used.... tent poles?? seems like they would just slide right thru the netting with the first wind?? thanks

[retro-roco]

They did both, depending on the circumstances. Relatively "permanent" emplacements would use what they called "flat tops". They were supported by poles, and a heavy wire support structure. When they were used with artillery pieces, they would even fashion a quick open "fly" that when opened would fall out of the way of the firing artillery piece. In more fluid circumstances (ie a motor march, pulled into trees for cover, they would drape them over vehicles and surrounding vegetation. There is an on-line PDf file of the camouflage manuals (the FM 5-20 series, which included 20a, 20b, 20c, etc).

Camouflage of vehicles:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/87281972/FM-5-20B-Camouflage-of-Vehicles-1944

Camouflage of Field Artillery:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/90638385/War-Department-Field-Manual-FM-5-20D-U-S-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-Camouflage-of-Field-Artillery-1944

[Gerry42]

thanks for info..... we always keep learning.... wish I had asked my dad a lot more about little things..... alas too late now....

[smartsniper308]

So I've been doing some research on buying burlap rolls, and it appears that basic burlap is flammable. You have to spend more to get non flammable burlap. Which did they use back then? What would people want to use now? I have been thinking of getting into making nets in my spare time and want to do them right if I do start.

[Raymond S. Meldrum]

dude, I know you think you are on to something but I know of massive qty's of NOS burlap that are still in warehouse. If you sink a bunch of dough in this you will eventually regret it when it comes out on the market.....

FWIW dont make hasty decisions about this.

Peace Bro.

[brian in denver]

anyone know of origanal examples of poles, and fittings?
probably 3/4 inch rigid pipe?

anyone got the AAA manual?

BB

[33rdsignal]

I just ordered 15 rolls Great place to do business with as well.

http://www.midwestmilitary.net/adpage4.html

scroll towards the bottom of the page.

[WesG]

"FWIW dont make hasty decisions about this."

Ever watch Swamp People? Smartsniper grew up weaving nets when 'gators aren't in season. He can play high stakes poker, beer pong and repair nets, all while he keeps an eye on a pot of jambalya cookin down. All his nets are in good shape so he's just lookin for somethin to do in his spare time, Cher...

Hey Ray, I've tried emailing you a number of times...
How 'bout a PM?

Thanks,
(not a Cajun,but watch 'em on tv,)
WesG

[smartsniper308]

Well something like that...

Thanks for the advice, and like WesG said, I am just looking to make it part of my hobby...and I just want to do it right. Netting is easy, burlap not so much. Wish those people would come off their stash; there's enough people looking for it. I still need to finish my net, plus lots of "brother-in-laws" looking for some too!

[Steve Webb]

FM5-22 camouflage materials has pole info in it. They were 1" steel tubing with 1 1/8" id diameter pipe welded on 1 end. Each piece was 4' 3" long and had spring lock sections to join together and the top spreaders were a wire basket with prongs that fit into the inside of the tubing. There is quite a bit of info on setting up nets for AAA and sizes.

[brian in denver]

Iv read all the manuals, and watched the training film on utub, but I couldent tell from the poor picture quality in the manuals if the poles broke down or not.
the piece I'm really interested in is the round disk that all the cables clip into. http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref ... M5-20D.PDF page 32
it looks like its made to slide up and down the pole.
I see the poles have a square plate on the bottom. I would think it screws on or clips on.
we do have some basket heads. but im more interested in the flattop, and pattern configuration.
especially for AAA. that manual (FM 5-20 F) seems to be lost to history.

BB

[Steve Webb]

I didn't catch my manual is from 1956 so it looks like poles in your manual are 1 piece.

[33rdsignal]

just got my 15 rolls from Midwest, excellent and fast shipping, and the burlap is in great shape.

[Regnar187]

I contacted Midwest and got 10 rolls of dark green but they were out of the light green. Would anyone be willing to help?