Camouflage: History and Progress

How did I miss this? One of my favorite subjects.
Anyhow did you ever see my thread on camo projectvxn?
www.abovetopsecret.com...

What these morons at the military fail to get is that the texture of the BDU's will give them away even if the colors are perfect. It seems only the sniper school understands all the other variables involved in making camo work.
Nice write up

I wanted to add the first US military unit to use a camo uniform were Berdans Sharpshooters who were issued green uniforms during the civil war.

reply to post by Asktheanimals


I've read your thread. Lots of good information(used some of the tactics on a recent coyote hunt).

This thread is just an overview history of modern combat uniforms. I'm glad you approve.

Im an Ex Royal Green Jacket from the British Army. So called because of the "Green Jacket" going back at least to the Peninsular (One of our battle honours in 1809. Expert Marksmen and in fieldcraft with the fastest March of all the world armies

reply to post by thesaint


Did you guys do anything but march really fast

Just kidding.


It seems the sharpshooters from various nations were always experts in camouflage tactics. Any back ground you wanna give us?

reply to post by projectvxn


Looking for a place to put these, this is perfect. Pretty cool threads.

reply to post by newcovenant


Ah yes, the ghillie suit.

I have one for desert hunting use using a Multicam base.

And thanks for reminding me that all the images in the OP were gone. lol

I am surprised I did not see any mention of the Italian army using camouflage from 1928 onwards, or the German army/waffen SS camouflage patterns from 1938 onwards British paratroops of WW 2 also had camouflage jackets, see the film 'a bridge too far' (German camou. in that film NOT correct) Russian snipers in the 'great patriotic war' also wore camouflage, known in the west as 'micky mouse' camou.

Originally posted by pikestaff
I am surprised I did not see any mention of the Italian army using camouflage from 1928 onwards, or the German army/waffen SS camouflage patterns from 1938 onwards British paratroops of WW 2 also had camouflage jackets, see the film 'a bridge too far' (German camou. in that film NOT correct) Russian snipers in the 'great patriotic war' also wore camouflage, known in the west as 'micky mouse' camou.

You can't be that surprised. I started and ended with American camouflage systems.



Though thinking back on it I probably should have started with Germany since the Germans we very adept at modern concealment before anyone else.

The military camo is a lot better than it was a decade ago, but I still think the private sector is making camo that is way above what the military is putting out.

Of course the private sector is much more specilaized for certain enviroments, but if you were to give the boys in Afghan some RealTree High Plains camo....it would be far superior than the digi matrix stuff they are wearing.

My take on it, if a coyote from 600 yds away comes in on you while you are calling it in, NO WAY in hell the enemy can see either

reply to post by armtx


Well they're not wearing UCP in Afghanistan anymore. They are using Multicam.

I like SOME private sector patterns. But for hunting I still use Multicam. I just blend right into these Nevada mountains.

reply to post by projectvxn


Here is my problem with multicam and maybe you can pitch me on why I am wrong.

All the pictures I have seen have been pretty close up pictures and the camo looks real good, UP CLOSE and your link proves that.

The issue I have is what does it look like at 100-200-300yds etc. Without vertical presentation of the camo pattern, it tends to silouette.

This was the problem with the old woodland camo that the military had for about 2 decades. It was great up close but left a nasty outline once you got past 100yds.

I dont know man...make me a believer or do I just need to see it for myself?

reply to post by armtx


If you go to the link there are more pictures that challenge you to find 9 people in direct light on the side of the hill. I still can't find them. I also use this stuff hunting. Believe me the pattern and the way it absorbs colors reflects light will make you nearly invisible. It's not perfect, but nothing is.


Every thing silhouettes when it's in front of the sun. It's creating a shadow. Doesn't matter what type of camo you wear. In direct sunlight and in shadows Multicam does it's job.

Originally posted by projectvxn
reply to post by armtx

 

If you go to the link there are more pictures that challenge youth find 9 people in direct light on the side of the hill. I still can't find them. I also use this stuff hunting. Believe me the pattern and the way it absorbs colors reflects light will make you nearly invisible. It's not perfect, but nothing is.


Every silhouettes when it's in front of the sun. It's creating a shadow. Doesn't matter what type of camo you wear. In direct sunlight and in shadows Multicam does it's job.

edit on 9-6-2011 by projectvxn because: (no reason given)

edit on 9-6-2011 by projectvxn because: (no reason given)

I went to their site and looked at their pics...I changed my view and am looking to secure a couple of patterns....looks to be pretty good stuff

reply to post by projectvxn


Hey, there is ATS Tactical Gear there! Is that the official gear of this website?

I love the gear that company puts out.

reply to post by TKDRL


Hah! I hadn't noticed that before. If ATS made Multicam ballistic armor carriers I'd consider buying it for sure.

reply to post by armtx


I've tested Multicam pretty exhaustively over the last year or so. one of these days I'll have to bring a camera and show ATS what this stuff can do.

S&F OP
Here's of pic my mate wearing Auscam,(ex Oz army) on a hunting trip a couple of years ago,





Can you see him in the tree's?



Auscam Desert



Auscam navy



Our spec forces and troops in Afghanistan are starting to multicam these days,

oh my mate's standing here,i only know where he is because when i blow the pic up really big i can see one of his knee pads,i had no idea where he was when i took the pic thou,

Originally posted by RestingInPieces

As a matter of fact, I've personally seen and used that type of camouflage when I was active duty. Look it up.

If that's true you've just leaked classified information, putting actual special ops guys in danger just to make a point on a web forum.

Originally posted by ChrisF231
DPM uniforms will be replaced by a new pattern called "Multi-Terrain Pattern" starting in 2012.

Ta for the heads up dude, I'll look out for that.

reply to post by gambon


See episodes of Sharpe, Sean Bean for examples of British early adoption of "camouflage" and rifles.