Hello, I'm a big fan of the classic Deutsches Heer and Wermacht from 1900-1945, and I really wanted to portray a German soldier from that time period in airsoft, with me being a descendant of many. My only problem was, I couldn't find a respectable airsoft AEG from the time period for any less than $500 (TOP MP40, Shoei Sturmgewehr 44) and I would get butchered if I tried to use a Kar98. So I decided to look towards the future a bit, but too many people go for the Bundeswher get-up, and I strive to be unique (and quite frankly, I don't like Heckler & Koch). So that brought me to East Germany. They used the Kalshnikov, (which is one of my favorite rifles), and tactics from former Wermacht leaders, so I thought it would suit me well.
I have a few problems however. I would like to know whether or not the East German still used surplus Stalhelms, because I have one that I would like to use, and am sure that at least some division in the army had to use them during the beginning stages of its formation. I really don't want to buy a replicated East German helmet, I find them to be quite ugly, and would rather use a Stalhelm instead.
Another problem I have, is that I use a Russian version G&G AK-47. I've read on wikipedia that the East Germans used there own derivative of the AK, but would I be able to pass off with a Russian model without being frowned upon?
Finally, did the East Germans use camo? And if so, what pattern? All I found in surplus stores were standard gray fatigues, and the wouldn't do well to hide me in a heavily wooded area.
Thank you for answering my questions. I won't be portraying an East German soldier for any event, I just want to portray my German heritage on the airsoft field while simultaneously using an AK-47. Therefore, exact detail is not needed, but I would still like to be as historically correct as possible. If any of you have any outfit suggestions or ideas, feel free to tell me. Heres one for trying to stand out from the masses of British SAS and U.S.M.C.