I have seen the four service career badges (Dienstlaufbahnabzeichen) (service dog handler, diver, pioneer, and weapons technical service) shown in the attachment in a few official DDR uniform publications. However, I cannot find where it is written:   ·         What color and make the fabric (aka wool, polyester, etc.) is? There is a similar patch (Diensthunde-fuhrer) in the NVA, but is it the same patch or a different background color? ·         Where it is worn on the uniform jacket. I am assuming the sleeve between the shoulder and elbow but where exactly? ·         Also, are there any photographs of these patches on uniforms? I have looked at numerous Grenztruppen related websites and while I have seen plenty of uniforms/configurations, I have not seen any with these patches in use.   Thanks... 

I don't have a way to scan it. Thanks for trying though. It looks like "von". 

Looks authentic to me.  Looks like a nice flag.

Very interesting, thanks! I assume this combination of service cap / M43 / Bergmütze all served to supplant the traditional shako? When was that phased out? I seem to recall some Volkssturm images of Shakos still in wear. Was that already out of regulation at that point?

A little hard to see - a scan would be better. First word is definitely "Aufnahme," which in this case refers to the picture, then either "von" (by) or "vor" (in front of) and then either a last name or a place. The script is a bit unusual for the period - more Latin than Kurrent.

Any idea what time period or national origin these are? I believe they are sword hangers, but am less sure of the leather one. They respectively measure about 2" and 5" long.

If someone were to be able to help, they would need to know what it is you want help with. Clearly you have identified the item as a pith helmet so you know at least that much, it is Vietnamese.    Scott

Wow.  Rich A. in Pa.

Looks right as rain to me.

Most historians and model builders are aware of the German WW II 8.8 cm Flak (Flugabwehrkanone). The "Acht-Acht" was mounted on several tanks and tracked vehicles during the war. Less well known is a wheeled vehicle with it. Only one Luftwaffe AAA Regiment was equipped with 24 of these vehicles and not one of them survived the war. I´m aware of one vacu and one resin kit that existed in the past but they were very expensive and unavailable for me. "Das Werk", a German model maker released the VOMAG with 8.8 I think two years ago and when I saw it the first time I knew that I had to get me one. So here´s another modeling project I have started today. First of all a picture of the box and a look into it. The kit consits of 16 sprues with hundreds of parts, and a sheet with photo etched parts. A real bonus is a 40 pages booklet with a lot of very usefull information and colorized photos of the gun, the vehicle and the model. I have started with the chassis of the carrier vehicle (which was in fact a modified bus) consisting of 80 parts so far.    

Awesome, thanks for sharing!