cute-but did not exist!!!

[DougD]

well,the large internet site that sells uniforms to order of all the top soviet brass has included another fantasy item...paratroop general! Would have been nice, but is a never was I am afraid. Goes right in the bin with "KGB Generals" uniforms, etc.

DougD

[kabanchik]

I most heartily concur with Doug. When a parachute colonel was promoted, he became an ARMY general, with red piping, lampasi (leg stripes), and cap band. His uniforms NEVER followed the Air Force generals' patterns.

[Dave]

I most heartily concur with Doug. When a parachute colonel was promoted, he became an ARMY general, with red piping, lampasi (leg stripes), and cap band. His uniforms NEVER followed the Air Force generals' patterns.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't General Lebed (who was VDV) wear an air force general's uniform as well as the red-piped army uniform?

--Dave

[DougD]

i am not posting the pic for the piping...look at the goofy para insigna on the boards!

dd

[kabanchik]

I believe this photo of Lebed, as well as several others that have been posted on this forum, were taken in the immediate post-Soviet era, when uniform regs were changing. The 1989 regulations clearly state that the VDV generals were to wear the red-piped ARMY generals' uniforms, not the blue piped AF style.
I could be wrong, though. Does anyone have an earlier version of the regs?.....or a later one???

[vikingraider1]

I believe this photo of Lebed, as well as several others that have been posted on this forum, were taken in the immediate post-Soviet era, when uniform regs were changing. The 1989 regulations clearly state that the VDV generals were to wear the red-piped ARMY generals' uniforms, not the blue piped AF style.
I could be wrong, though. Does anyone have an earlier version of the regs?.....or a later one???

I have seen photos of junior and senior VDV officers wearing airforce parade uniforms (the navy blue uniforms) with VDV insignia. These definately look to be airforce and not the wave green parade uniforms.
As for marshals and general officers the only photo I have seen is the well known one of Lebed (shown above). I haven't got my regs with me so cannot give a for definate comment.

[kabanchik]

Yes, this IS true, soldiers, NCO's, junior & senior officers of the Air Landing Forces (VDV) ALL wore the Air Force blue parade uniform. BUT, when one became a general, he traded the air force blue for the army wave green, with red piping. At this loftry rank, blue was reserved for aviation generals, not for those of the VDV.