Paratrooper training pictures

I have scanned my collection of original wartime photographs of paratroops training at Fort Benning, GA. These are early war pictures, as can be seen by the uniforms and equipment. Note the Riddell football helmets, the T-4 parachute, the jump boots with buckles and shiny eyelets, the white name tapes on the coveralls and even some very early M-1941 jump suits and the ultra rare camouflaged jumpsuit. In short, these pictures are full of impossible to find gear. We can always dream, can't we?
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How to age your repro K-rations

Original K-rations are expensive, especially if you want a full set of three boxes. Good quality reproductions are widely available, but on display with original ration items, they don't look quite as good anymore. Here's how to 'age' your repro boxes. It's so easy you can't screw it up. Just wet your hands with olive oil and rub the boxes. Start with the inner cartons to practice. You will want to use more olive oil on the inner cartons, but start with a little and then add more when you get the hang of it. Then all you need to do is knock the corners of the boxes about on a hard surface and scratch the edges of the outer box with your fingernails to give them that used look.
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