Full sized, re-created military aviators.

[SportySpiceFan]

Before Internet arrived, in my area mannequinns were available only if you asked in clothing shops and boutiques (if owners spared one or two for sale, very rare instance) or, by purchasing them at those shops or stores (even rarer) that issued furniture/related items to the said shops.
In this latter case mannequinns were brand new and prices terrifying, it made no sense - moreover I wanted a nice body structure but was indifferent at the outside finish.
In fact if a jet age pilot the 'skin' was almost totally hidden, if a vintage one with more exposed surface I could always do a good airbrush job and paint it realistic.

So mostly I got at a reasonable price those well used or defective, or finished in white, and/or with some broken parts (subsequently I'd have them rebuilt with resins). I even found out one still nice enough, and complete, in a sort of dump where who knows who had brought it.
After a sort of restyling it came almost like new.

Today on the web this is very easy and quick to do. At least in regard to finding the mannequinns, aside for the prices that can vary according to many variables.

 

[HARDWARE]

It’s easier with pilots because you can cover up their effeminate features. Mannequins look like they belong in barry’s Bathhouse

In militaria and uniform reference books I always prefer the gear displayed with headless mannequins

 

[Texas Star]

I think the knife in Post #58 is a PAL RH-36. PAL Cutlery bought out Remington's knife business about 1940, and furnished many of their Remington copies to the armed forces in WW II. The original Remington had a larger pommel.

One way to tell this sort of knife from a Marble's equivalent is that the Marble's has a much wider blade fuller. ("Blood groove")

The Marble's knife was their "Ideal" model.

 

[Texas Star]

Back to Lugers...Luftwaffe commander Hermann Goering supposedly had a financial interest in one maker, I think Krieghoff, and insisted on buying their guns. I don't think the Luftwaffe ever adopted the P-38.

Besides aircrews on larger planes, Lugers would have gone to paratroopers and to panzergrenadier troops. Unless memory fails me those forces were under Luftwaffe control, probably for political reasons.

Someone here probably knows more.

 

[SportySpiceFan]

An hobby like this inevitably triggers into the matter some sub-categories of collecting - i.e. handguns, knives, even some kinds of accoutrements etc. Yes back then I regarded them as a bit less important, or at least not worth being insighted so much as were the flight clothing and equippments. Maybe these days it would be different should I do it from the start, or maybe not - do not know.
Possibly some (not too serious) incorrect things here and there do exist, when it comes to very minor items...

 

[Kurusu]

Back to Lugers...Luftwaffe commander Hermann Goering supposedly had a financial interest in one maker, I think Krieghoff, and insisted on buying their guns. I don't think the Luftwaffe ever adopted the P-38.

Besides aircrews on larger planes, Lugers would have gone to paratroopers and to panzergrenadier troops. Unless memory fails me those forces were under Luftwaffe control, probably for political reasons.

Someone here probably knows more.

The paratroopers preferred handgun was something they got from the Belgians. The Hi Power. But they also used the Luger and the P.38.

And yes, the Krieghoff made P.08s were very much Goering connected. Either by monetary, political or friendship reasons. Only explanation I see to keep manufacturing a pistol officaly fased out in 1942 up to 1944. And, much to my regret, I have to admit that the P.38 was a better combat pistol than the P.08.