Hi all,
Here is a large portion of the clothing of various
patterns I have collected over the years.
There is a short piece on the origin and use of the
pattern in the real world followed by how I personally think its effectiveness
is in the UK and then the rough cost based on one pair of trousers. Shirts are
normally of a similar price with jackets and smocks being more.
Any questions on anything please do ask
Thanks for looking,
Viceroy
ZuluFour@FireTeamZuluAirsoft
Multi-Terrain Pattern
Origin: Britain
MTP was designed as a transitional pattern for use in the
Afghan green zone, the aiming being to perform averagely in all conditions
rather than expertly in only one condition.
In the UK MTP has varied performance. It performs well in
autumn and winter when leaves are dead and there is more of a brown colouring
to woodlands. However, in very green spring and summer it can be less
effective.
Cost: £10-£20
CS95 DPM
Combat Soldier 1995, Distruptive Pattern Material
Origin: Britain
The pre-curser to MTP, DPM was deisgned tow work in the
dark Germanic forests in the event of the Cold War turning hot. There are many
versions of DPM, the one pictured is the most recent CS95.
DPM is effective in dark woodland although can be too
dark during sunnier periods or where the vegetation is lighter or more brown.
However, it is still regarded as a widely effective camouflage pattern and
possibly the most cost effective pattern out there.
Cost: £1-£20
MARPAT
Marine Pattern woodland
Origin: USA
MARPAT replaced the M81 woodland for temperate and jungle
environments. Based on CADPAT it aims to use small digital patterns to prevent
blotching at far distances.
It works well in forested environments with lots of
foliage. Although like other patterns featuring black and dark green it can be
too dark in lighter, browner woods.
Cost: ~£30
DCU
Desert Combat Uniform
Origin: USA
DCU replaced the six colour “choc-chip” desert pattern
used during the 1st Gulf War. DCU saw wide use in the US military
and also UKSF in Iraq and Afghanistan before being replaced by Multicam.
As a primary desert pattern it has limited effectiveness
in the UK confined to dry, light, dead undergrowth or the odd sandy quarry. Used, more faded version (pictured left) is even less effective in the UK
Cost: £5-£30
M81 Woodland
Origin: USA
Based on the Vietnam era ERDL pattern, M81 is designed
for use in more temperate environments. It was used in all branches of the US military until being phased out by their independent camouflage patterns. It is still used by some
parts of the USMC MARSOC and toher SOCOM members while working with the ANA and other local groups.
Like many of the other Cold War temperate patterns, M81
works well in woodland environments. As it is generally lighter than DPM it
doesn't suffer as badly in lighter areas but the shape of the patterns does not
tend to work as well.
Cost: £10-£30
S2000
Soldier 2000
Origin: South Africa
Developed in the early 90’s, to replace Nutria brown, it’s
designed to work well in the African savannas varying terrain. It is
currently used by the SANDF in various UN operations in Africa.
Extremely rare to get in the UK and I have yet to field
test so am unsure of its effectiveness. However, judging by the pattern and
pictures from MONUSCO it appears to be similar to other transitional patterns
like MTP, although working better in more green environments but suffering in
darker green areas.
Cost: £35+
Nutria Brown
Origin: South Africa
Used by the SADF in the border war in Namibia/Angola it
was designed to work as a base colour which would easily fade and the added mud
and just from from the area of operation would add to the base colour and then create a camouflage.
In the UK it is a good option in more wooded areas where
the ground is often brown rather than green but tis not a light as coyote brown
and so works better in darker areas. However, the colour is not designed for UK
environment so that limits its effectiveness. It makes a good option for load
bearing equipment.
Costs: £25+
Rhodesian Brushstroke
Origin: Rhodesia
Brushstroke pattern based on the original Dension smock
but adapted over the years to suit the African brush. A very popular pattern in
both Rhodesia and South Africa it was widely used in the Rhodesian bush war in
Mozambique. It was banned in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe after Muagabe took power and
lots of it was destroyed making original items very rare and very expensive. The
trousers pictured are a reproduction of the original.
Like many woodland brushstroke patterns they are very
effective in the UK. Rhodesian brushstroke doesn’t suffer as badly in lighter
areas due to the significant field of khaki but the large patterns are a
disadvantage.
Cost: Reproduction: £40+
Genuine:
£70+ (shirts and jackets can easily go into the £100’s)
Flecktarn
Origin: Germany
Germany’s main woodland pattern since the 1989, and like
many patterns of its day was designed to work in central Europe in case of a
Russian invasion. It has since been widely copied by other countries in central
and eastern Europe.
It is generally effective in the UK, and well regarded.
Although the dots pattern and slight reddish brown do not seem to work as well
as DPM in the UK.
Cost: £10-£20
M1964 vertical Lizard
Origin: Portugal
M1964 or M64 was Portugal’s primary pattern from
1964-1990’s. It was nearly exclusively used in Africa, namely Angola and
Mozambique. It was also used by Rhodesian rebel forces as well as Rhodesian and
South African Special Forces.
Like many lizard patterns its quite effective in Britain.
It is also good in grasslands, although can be too dark in places. It is
especially good in heavily vegetated areas.
Cost: Trousers are £65+ although shirts can be found for
as little as £8-£10
C1 Lizard
Origin: France
One of the many French lizard patterns, C1 was made
famous by its use in the infamous battle of Dien Bien Phu by French
paratroopers. The bush hat pictured is a reproduction item by SoF Military.
Due to the fact is it lighter than many other lizard
patterns it is particularly good in open grasslands where the green is lighter
than in the woods.
Cost: ~£40
A-TACS AU
A-TACS Arid/Urban
Origin: DCS USA
Based on the idea of a pattern within a pattern, AU is a digital
pattern without the typical square pixilation. AU is designed for arid and
urban environments and is especially effective among rocky environments. It has
seen very limited use in police and special forces but has not been adopted by any military on any scale because it is spot dyed not vat dyed also making it expensive and liable to fading.
In the UK woodland AU is of limited effectiveness but it
is very effective in urban or quarry settings.
Cost: ~£30
A-TACS FG
A-TACS Foliage Green
Origin: DCS USA
Created as DCS’ woodland offering it again draws on the
idea of a pattern within a pattern, but its not just a simple re-colouring of
the AU version but an entire new pattern which uses the shapes unique to temperate
and tropical areas. Like the AU variant it has not been adopted by any
military due to the cost of producing such a complex pattern because it is spot dyed not vat dyed also making it liable to fading. However, there are reports of Ukrainian Marines using FG load bearing equipment it has still not seen any general or large scale issue.
In UK woodland FG is incredibly effective in a wide
variety of woodland areas. Despite it appearing quite light it is remarkably
effective even in dense woodland. It is arguably the most effective woodland
pattern on the list.
Cost: ~£30
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