camouflage-fanatic
Camouflage and History
I really enjoy both the art of camouflage and the course of history,
expect a post detailing a camouflaged piece from my collection every week or so. Any questions are appreciated.
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Czech Vz 60 Mlok
I'm not clowning around when I say this is one of my favorite
patterns just for how wacky it is. This interesting pattern known
as Mlok ("salamander"/clown), or Vz 60, had a rather brief stint in the
service of the Czechoslovak armed forces.
Issued for the 22nd Airborne Brigade in 1960, and would be phased
out in 1963 by the much more mundane needles/raindrop pattern that
would become popular among the Warsaw Pact Armies. Surplus stocks
of this strange pattern would find their way into the hands of the
Democratic Republic of Yemen and the PLO. The pieces shown here
were hard to find in the own right, but I have yet to see any
proper matching pants, along with the hood, helmet cover, and
airborne variant jacket. The jacket shares the design of the future
raindrop pattern cut used for much longer. It has a reinforced
collar, buttons to attach a hood, rank slide on the right breast,
reinforced elbows, adjustable cuffs and a set of double buttons.
As seen on the inside the jacket dates from 1961 sized 1B with the
crossed swords denoting the Czech Army.
The airborne variant not seen here includes features not used on
the jacket to be used during obviously airborne operations.
Such as an integrated hood, omitted collar, larger pockets
(+ chest pocket), and an elastic waist
on the interior to likely prevent updraft from below.
The cap also shares the cut of the future raindrop pattern with
the folding flaps and is also dated 1961 with the army proof mark
and the maker Tonak.
Overall an underrated pattern simply for how much it stands out
among others, maybe someday all pieces can be brought together as
one.
#Czechoslovakia#Czech#Czech Republic#Slovakia#History#military#camo#camouflage#uniform#clothing#militaria#army#airborne#Warsaw pact#cold war
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Chinese Type 81 (DPM/Duck Hunter copies)
For the time being we finally bid farewell to Bulgaria and her
geometric patterns. We go now to more classic patterns, well,
copies of classic patterns hailing from the People's Republic of
China. The Type 81 uniform was adopted in the mid to late 70's,
and includes two variants of the two patterns used, this piece
being the latter variant. The Type 81 is one of the more unique
pieces in the collection being a 2 for 1 reversible uniform in
the air of the Finnish M62, with a strange DPM copy on one side,
and a budget copy of Duck Hunter compared to the real deal.
The DPM copy for both variants of the Type 81 were another
attempt by the Chinese to copy the classic DPM pattern, with
this uniform and its earlier variant dropping the brown patches
from the first pattern also dating from the mid 70's.
Their attempt at the Duck Hunter pattern shows a lazy undertaking
at the pattern, with none of the shapes being complicated or layered.
(The Air Force had a different take of the Duck Hunter pattern with
their own issue of the Type 81 uniform.)
The uniform has a number of features in its simple cut appearance.
The fabric is rather thin for a military uniform and I imagine
wouldn't stand up to much abuse in the field.
Since the uniform is reversible each side has a little different
cut to accomodate the other side. Both have a sleeve pocket, right
arm for Duck Hunter and left for DPM. It has some size adjustment
slips on the wrists, leg cuffs, and waist. It's pretty tough trying
to button up the shirt wearing it on the Duck Hunter side since
it only has one set of buttons. The Duck Hunter side has slit
pockets towards the waist while the DPM just has regular chest
pockets. Both sides include regular epaulets on the shoulders.
With some searching one can find the production label hidden on
the underside flap on the chest pocket of the DPM side, with the
only discernible marking being the production year of 1989, lest
I learn Mandarin or can find someone who can they'll remain
untranslated. Uniforms such as these would see service with the
PLA in their confrontations with the NVA during the Sino-Vietnamese
border conflicts of the 70's-90's. Sometime in the 80's-90's the
Type 81 would be phased out in favor of a copy of the M81 Woodland
pattern in adopted in 1987, which in turn would be replaced by
the Chinese take of the Digital Camouflage fad of the 2000's
in 2007. A cap for this set is absent, although they exist in both
the DPM and Duck Hunter copies, but aren't reversible, so the set
is "incomplete." I really like this set and is certainly a unique, at
the same time un-unique chapter of Camouflage history.
Uniform Purchased from eBay for $77
Camopedia Source:
http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=China
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Bulgarian Splinter (Again)
Hey wait! Didn't we do this pattern already? Well you'd be right,
this is another version of Splinter pattern that the Bulgarians
used from around 1945 to about 2002. And the pieces shown here
are adorned in the last variant of Splinter pattern used by the
armed forces of Bulgaria before replacing it with a version of
British DPM. This specific variant of Bulgarian Splinter being
issued in 1991 just after its becoming a democracy to 2002 as it
would be replaced by the aforementioned DPM. The version shown
here but a slight tweaking of another Splinter pattern introduced
in 1979, with only slight color/shape differences. Both of these
patterns have the distinction over the previous Splinter variants
of having their shapes not touching each other.
Both the pieces shown above have additions that make them unique
in their own ways. The jacket can double as a winter coat with
the addition of a removable liner (much like the American M65)
that his its own zipper and a tinge of Splinter pattern on the
neck. The jacket also has a hidden pocket around back just
below the collar that has a hood that pops out with ties for use
in inclement weather, as well as another internal pocket for
holding other things. The hat itself has a nice leather sweatband
with the front of the cap emblazoned with the Bulgarian Lion and
a flap that comes down to protect the ears in cold and windy
weather. Unfortunately it was hard enought to get both the hat
and jacket, so matching pants are something to keep an eye out
for, hence this is an incomplete uniform.
A nice pattern with a well worn history and a personal favorite
of mine.
Hat purchased from eBay for $22.25
Jacket purchased from Keepshooting for $56
Camopedia Source: 聽
http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Bulgaria
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Bulgarian Mystery Desert Pattern
Once again we have another piece from Bulgaria, and there isn't
much to say on it, The pattern itself is one big mystery.
It is unknown where specifically it was used for, save for the
fact it would be used in desert or dry regions. Unknown is what
specific time frame it was used for, but a good guess is likely
1970's-1990's. One thing that is marginally more certain is that
it looks to have been used by communist Bulgarian advisors in
either the middle east or Africa. The pattern looks to be a
re-tooling of a similar pattern made by Bulgaria exported to
insurgent groups like PLAN in South West Africa of the Border War.
Both patterns, as mysterious as they are, seem to be based off the
Yugoslav M68 MOL pattern.
The piece shown here is only part of the uniform as there is
evidence that both shirt and pants were made in this pattern.
The hat is well worn with the Bulgarian Lion featured on a rubber
vinyl like pressing on the front with the Bulgarian flag
immediately to the right of it. There is a tag on the inside of
the cap that if it were in better condition would likely give
more information on the origin of the cap, but unfortunately it's
too faded and worn. The brim is very hard and bent into a specific
shape to where I'm afraid to move it.
I'm just lucky enough that the hat was for sale but the rest of
the uniform looks like a needle in a very large hay stack, so
unless I get really lucky for the time being it's just the hat.
Overall a nice little curiousity in the collection and a nice
addition for Bulgaria.
Hat Dated: 1970's-1990's?
Bought From eBay for $50
Camopedia Source:聽http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Bulgaria
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Bulgarian Frogskin
Continuing with Bulgaria we have another pair of coveralls.
It looks like the Bulgarians wanted to shake things up with
their regular Splinter pattern by making this strange pattern.
Known as "Frogskin" introduced in 1968 and serving alongside
their Splinter pattern, meaning they weren't totally done with it.
Being one of the more interesting patterns to come from such the
smaller of Eastern Bloc nations, it has one key feature shared with the
Rain pattern craze among the other Warsaw Pact members (DDR,
Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria) that being the vertical stripes
covering the backdrop of green splotches.
Looking quite similar to the coveralls seen previously, there are
some differences in terms of construction and features.
The most noticeable being the removal of the thigh ammo pouches
and the exterior belt, along with the collar and detachable hood,
more mundane buttons other than the these changes, the design is
identical to the previous iteration.
Coveralls such as these would be issued to airborne and chemical troops
later to forces regarding protection of the borders.
Just like the previous uniform, this set is missing the cap which
would make this a complete uniform, so it is officially "incomplete"
Coveralls Dated: 1968-197?
Bought from eBay for $68
Camopedia Source: http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Bulgaria
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Bulgarian Splinter
After a small time skip we come now to some goodies
from the small country of Bulgaria.
We will be spending some weeks on the patterns from
here as we have a few in the collection (4 to be exact).聽
So in order we start with the oldest item
issued by on hand and the oldest item in the overall
collection.
We start with a Bulgarian copy of the German Splinter
pattern of the 1930's.
The Bulgarians first made this copy around 1945 with
the exception of the "rain" stripes characteristic of
Splinter but still having the geometric shapes that
make up the bulk of the pattern.
Fast forward to 1953 and the Bulgarians make another
copy, this time with the rain stripes, although the
stripes are wavy and it looks pretty crude in its
printing (as seen on the piece above).
The Splinter pattern would be a hit with the Bulgarians,
as they used a multitude of variations (a total of 5) up
until it's replacement by 聽a home-developed version of DPM in 2003.
The Splinter pattern would be the mainstay of Communist
Bulgaria Armed Forces' field uniforms, and even going
afterwards into a Democratic Bulgaria.
As stated before Splinter would end up being replaced
by a version of DPM after a lengthy tenure of 58 years.
The piece here has the second, more crude variant of
Splinter and was only printed on the coveralls seen
here, used by troops of the airborne forces.
For being 65 years old these coveralls are tricked out,
boasting a total of 16 pockets!
12 being reserved for magazines as seen on the breasts
and thighs, with smaller pockets at the waist.
It also has a removable belt with a wopping 2 sizing
buttons, tight and loose.
Other features include adjustable cuffs and pants bottoms
with a removable hood.
Stamped on the inside is the date of manufacture and a
load of cyrillic I can't decode.
With this being all one piece the only part missing to
make it a "complete" uniform would be the addition of a
hat which is not present.
An all around nice item and unique piece of cold war history, one of these days I hope
to acquire one in much nicer condition.
Coveralls Dated: 1953
Bought from eBay for $77
Camopedia Source: http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Bulgaria
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Bosnian Woodland
In only the fourth week we have a very special and rare item.
Coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have a strange pattern dating from
the Yugoslav wars in the 1990's. In the absence of formally issued items
during the Balkan conflict, a number of camouflage patterns were locally
produced to account for the shortages. Not only would they be made locally,
but uniforms from Yugoslavia would be repurposed and pressed into service
with all of the new countries emerging from Yugoslavia's carcass. A notable
example being the M68 MOL pattern used by Yugoslavia. In its use in the JNA only being printed on shelter halves and a unique sniper suit. But as war erupted
these pieces would be refitted into more appropriate uniforms and equipment, with all having unique construction and design. Other strange patterns would emerge from localmanufacturers and be used by both military and paramilitary forces alike.
The piece seen above is one such example used by the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with this pattern being very 聽limited in its production and thus very hard to find, especially here in the United States.
I was very lucky to have found this item in this condition, and also being able to buy it straight from Bosnia. It is a conventional field shirt with a basic cut and really nothing special about it save for the pattern and backstory, but I have seen a long sleeved version.聽
Since this pattern is so vague聽I was only able to find one photo with it in use, and it looks like it was only ever printed on the two shirt designs. And since it looks to have only been printed on said shirts I doubt any hats/pants exist printed in this pattern so we can count it as sort of "complete."
In conclusion this shirt is a strange pattern from a strange time and could be used in the countless combinations of camouflage and gear to reenact the Bosniak faction of the Yugoslav wars.
Shirt dated: 1990's
Bought from eBay for $53
Camopedia source:聽http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Bosnia_and_Herzegovina
#Bosnia#bosnia and herzegovina#balkans#Yugoslavia#yugoslav wars#history#military#camo#camouflage#uniform#clothing#militaria#army
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Belgian Jigsaw
Finally this week we get to a real military issue uniform and not some
repurposed fabric or asian reproduction. And not only is it real, it's wacky,
which makes sense as it's from Belgium, that being the pattern known as Jigsaw.
Developed by the Belgians and adopted in 1956, the pattern was first used exclusively by special forces and paratroopers of the army, known then as M56. Being that Belgium isn't one to find itself interfering in many foreign matters militarily (save for the Congo) the pattern hasn't seen much actual combat action, save for the few paratrooper smocks in the pattern that trickled into the Congo conflict.
The pattern would undergo minute changes in its career, first in the 70's with
a darker tone, again in 1999 with the whole pattern being condensed, and the
most notable change in 2005 with the removal of the white bits spaced throughout.
The pattern also has a desert variant with the colors switched to a more arid toning, first adopted in 2004. The pattern in both desert and woodland are still in use today, and going strong for the time being. Other than the jacket and pants, the pattern was also issued on boonie caps, balaclavas, helmet covers, field shirts, belts, and various webbing and bags.
As for the items shown here are the jacket and pants respectively. Both are in
the second variant of the Jigsaw, and overall rugged in their construction.
Although the jacket has been used to an extent before coming into my possession, the pants are actually older than the jacket by 2 years (The jacket being 1997 and the pants 1995). The pants are just regular ol' BDU cut trousers, but the jacket does have a number of cool features. In total having 8 pockets (one of each arm, two breast slit pockets, and two on the bottom with one more hidden in each). Button adjustments on the cuffs and two draw cords on the waist and bottom. The collar can be flipped up and secured with a velcro tab for breezy days, and along with a velcro strip for the name tape, also having BELGIUM on the other side in case you forget where it's from, and then a vertical rank slide in the center.
As for the completion status (pants, jacket/shirt, cap) of this uniform, with the
abscence of the beret that would usually be issued with these items, (the color
coinciding with your position in the armed forces) this set is technically "incomplete."
In conclusion, this pattern has a solid history of use and draws a lot of positive
comments about fashion from personal experience when wearing it out.
Jacket dated: 1997
Bought from Varusteleka for $24
Pants dated: 1995
Bought from Swisslink for $20
Camopedia source:聽http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Belgium
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Australian Disruptive Camouflage Pattern
For this week we have another reproduction piece, this time hailing from Australia. Officially adopted in 1984, the pattern shown here was used on the Disruptive Pattern, Combat Uniform (DPCU).
What seems to be a strange take on the American Frogskin pattern,
is an entirely unique design used by Australia in its own environment. With only slight changes in design in its tenure, variants of the pattern in different colors
have been used by the Royal Australian Navy, a special red tinted variant used in OPFOR exercises, and a series of variants made for use in operations in desert environments.
The pattern itself would officially start to be phased out in 2014 with the adoption of an Australian-exclusive variant of American Multicam (after the Australians had been using the actual latter pattern in its armed forces station in Afghanistan since 2010).
The new pattern will effectively phase out the DPCU by around 2019.
The piece shown here has a strange and valuable learning experience聽tied to it for myself. I bought the uniform early in my early days of collecting, so I wasn't too concerned about the legitimacy of it.
So while perusing ebay I found it for the price of $107 total, and barely looking to see if it was real bought the thing. Although the item was listed as being shipped from Hong Kong, my only worry sat聽with how long it would take to ship to me.
And when it did ship to me I was excited to try it on and see how it fit, the first red flag flew up for me when I looked at the tags on the shirt. The shirt had what looked like proper tags for it, but they were tags for pants, not the shirt itself. And the pants were a mess in of themselves, they had the same rear tag as the shirt, and even that had the wrong sizing. Along with goofy misspellings on the tags, once I tried to put on the pants, a ripping noise could be heard, the sound
of an Asian reproduction. Not one, but both side slash pockets were torn through
as I put the pants on (Also the pants have extremely long belt loops from any
pants I've ever seen, a whole聽 4 3/4 inches). The hat itself was alright in quality, but because of my folly, it looks to have been an original making from the people who made the rest of the uniform as it seems to have never been officially issued. Since any cap worn by the Australian Army in this pattern is a boonie cap and not the one above. Although "complete" the uniform unfortunately isn't genuine, but still takes a spot worth mentioning in this journey of camouflage.
Uniform Dated: 2010's
Item acquired from ebay for $107
Camopedia source: http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Australia
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Austrian Pea Dot
Here we are, the inaugural post for this blog!
I'd like to welcome anybody who will come across this and future
posts about how this will usually go. There will be a series of
photos documenting a certain piece and the finer details it might
include. And then some backstory for the item like how where it
was used and what for, as well as any other interesting facts that
can go with it, also how I acquired it and from where.I hope to try
go alphabetically with countries, but no promises.
Starting our world camouflage ride we have a simple pattern from the
Bundesheer of Austria. An important note to start off with is that the
item listed here is not actual Austrian issue, but a reproduction
of the popular M41 caps, using genuine issue fabric.
This pattern being that of Pea Dot, first being issued to the
Bundesheer in 1957 and showing influence from the SS patterns of WW2. Somewhere in the early to mid 1960's the pattern was modified, making it what I'd say simpler. The pattern was issued on various pieces of equipment and clothing (but not this hat),like parkas, pants, shelter quarters (reversible to another pattern), backs, and assorted bags.
As stated before the piece shown here is repurposed fabric from
the first version of the pattern, likely from a pair of pants or a
parka, made into this sharp cap (Might I add that it has a very solid construction).
The fabric is somewhat stiff and shows wear from whatever piece it was recycled from. Currently this is the only piece of Pea Dot that I have as the pants and parka tend to get pricey, so technically I don't have an Austrian uniform, so this set is listed as "incomplete." The pattern in its second variant was
produced into the mid-1970's, where the pattern fell out of use as
the Bundesheer opted for plain colored fatigues, but save for special
units that had their own unique operating patterns in the late 2000鈥瞫. As of 2017,
it has been announced that the Bundesheer will be receiving a general
issue pattern to be used by all forces in a woodland and desert variant.
Fabric dated: 1950's-1960's
Reproduction cap dated: 2000's-2010's
Item acquired from ebay for $35
Camopedia source: http://www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Austria
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