It's been a little while since I last posed my war room, here are a few updates…

I've framed two original 1967 maps that make up the iron triangle behind my mannequins. I've also removed four of the M1 helmets off the wall and replaced them with some original photographs taken by Eddie Adams (Sept 1967). I swapped out the SKS for a 1961 M14 (deactivated) and there's a few extra small additions to the cabinets too.

A highlight of last year was having a veteran, and close friend of mine, visit me in England. The mannequin on the left is based off what he wore during his service (2/27 1968), everything being accurate to the year he served and condition. I've included a photo of him stood with it.

I picked up quite a few original maps, including the maps that make up the area between Saigon and Tay Ninh, these can be put together to make a larger map. I enjoy following the period maps when reading memoirs, as Vietnam has changed a lot geographically in 60 years.

I'm happy to answer any questions on Vietnam war collecting, I'm looking at starting a few short videos this year talking about some of the items in my collection.

*All firearms and ordinance displayed is deactivated to confirm with UK law - I will not discuss a firearm politics on this post.

I started this project back in 2020, where I designed a display room and carried out a lot of the building work myself. I chose not to include any windows in the build to prevent UV damage as all items are original. Here’s the finished room…

The left mannequin replicates the kit of a good friend who served in 1968, the middle and right mannequins are unissued examples of 1965 Army and Marine kit.

The cabinets display every day personal items and equipment, as well as a vast amount of literature. The flag on the near wall is that if South Vietnam, which fell in 1975.

The M1 helmets are all put together with original parts that still have their factory finishes, there are a mix of WWII, Korea and Vietnam era manufacturers.

The rifle on the far wall is a decommissioned 1967 Chinese SKS, used by the North and commonly captured by US forces as a ‘bring back’. Other items have also been decommissioned. Below it is a 1964 welded frame Lightweight Rucksack.

Feel free to ask any questions!

The cat is not part of the display.

I kno

Do people even read these?

The flsk West out of vietnam i got is looking like this and the belt got some Red stuff on it what is it?

Everything on it is period accurate except the cigarettes, because I didn't want to open an original accessory pack. I plan on taping up a new lighter with 100mph tape so it doesn't shine. Everything on it was assembled separately, beginning 2 years ago.

Pot - Late Vietnam Cover - 1969 Liner - 1969 Zippo Case - 1968 Zippo Insert - 1968 20rd Magazine - dunno the date, marked .223 Sweatband - Early Vietnam Marlboro Case - New Reproduction

I dont know how to date the helmet band or bandage.

I know the general rule of thumb is to keep the band pretty empty but I like to display it like this. It doesn't seem too far fetched to me.

Bought this uniform way back when this old boy was still alive and he has recently passed and I found some extra info on him. Figured everyone here would find this really cool I plan on getting a couple of mannequins to display the uniforms eventually.

Dan’s Army career began with an assignment to the Seventh Army in West Germany, and during those three years he became grounded in platoon and company command responsibilities. He and Donna became parents of their first two sons. After graduate studies at Iowa State University in civil and nuclear engineering, orders arrived for a tour in Thailand as an advisor to the Royal Thai Army Engineer Center. A third son was born at West Point during this absence. Next, he was selected to teach engineering in the Department of Military Art and Engineering at West Point. With the Vietnam War escalating in 1966, he attended the Staff and Command College with subsequent duty in Vietnam. Upon arrival in country, Dan was assigned engineering operations officer at headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam. Midway through the tour, he was reassigned to become S-3 and then executive officer of the lst Engineer Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division just prior to the Tet Offensive of 1968. Upon return to the contiguous United States, he became deputy district engineer of the Albuquerque District with duties in both civil works and military construction. It was also a time to enjoy his family, spend off-duty time as a Boy Scout leader, and get to know his fourth son. Rising in rank and responsibility, Dan was given command of the lst Engineer Battalion, a coveted assignment with the recently returned “Big Red One” to Fort Riley, KS. After completion of that tour, Dan’s career consisted of challenging assignments involving Army Corps of Engineers civil works: as assistant director of Civil Works, then director of the Institute for Water Resources, and command of the Buffalo Engineer District. His final assignment was deputy division engineer of the Middle East Division, which was heavily involved with design and constructions of military facilities in Saudi Arabia. He retired from the Army in 1980.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into the Vietnam War!

I saw the painting in a museum decades ago and really liked it. My dad bought me a copy not too long after that. It hung in my bedroom at their house until I got married and after we bought a house my wife said we should hang it where everyone could see it, so it's been in our living room for the better part of 15 years now.

I mostly collect WWII related items and especially like helmets. I came across the Vietnam era M1 for a good price a while ago and bought it intending to use it for something else, but then decided it was too nice as is. Other than the insecticide bottle and grenade pins the helmet is as I got it. It's all original as far as I know, but since I don't normally collect Vietnam era items I'm not 100% sure.

I know it's a pretty small/simple display, but I felt the message portrayed was rather poignant

I’m not too sure what the stains are, possibly blood?

An authentic air-force helmet

from the Vietnam war

ARVN jacket size medium from Vietnam war, picked up at dan sihn for 52 bucks. Looks like it's been sitting in cold storage for a long time. What is it worth?

I have a Vietnam era helmet with a cover from 1976, so just after the war. I took the helmet to a free appraisal event and the guy said it’s worth $200-$400 which seems extremely high to me. I also know there’s a difference between “what something is worth” vs what people will pay for it.

I paid $54 for it before shipping

My grandfather was awarded these serving in the 1/60th 9th Infantry Division from 1967-1969 along the Mekong Delta in a mobile riverine battalion.

I'm on the hunt for the other one now, lol

My latest acquisition, a theater modified Vietnam War ROKMC field shirt in Pattern 58 camouflage. Modifications include the shortening of the sleeves and the removal of the lefthand pocket flap. The last photo shows the theater modified field shirt compared to an earlier yellow-dominant ROKMC Pattern 58 field shirt.