US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

[Babyalien]

I've been getting some kit together for a few months now to create my Navy SEALs loadout for airsoft. Thought I would try in all on last night for the first time to see if I like the look. I think it works, I'm really pleased with it. This is more of an interpretation rather than a one-to-one exact replica loadout, as nice as it would be to have that, I don't have the time or the money to put in to a replica loadout so I have gone with what I felt worked based on the look, availability and cost. There has also been a lot of customer work involved from the entire helmet headstrap system which was hand-made and stitched by myself through to custom patchwork, paint, headset and so on, many man hours spent on this kit. Thought you guys might like to have a look (or possibly a laugh) and I always welcome any help or feedback, good or bad so feel free to comment. There are a few bits and bobs I will still add as time goes on I'm sure. I wanted to keep the loadout practical and reasonably lightweight as I still want to be able to move quickly when needed so speed/movement were a big factor. A kit list below (though basic compared to some I've seen) and please excuse my Zombie-like redeye. Anyway, feel free to comment.

*Genuine Issue Size 5 Flight Suit with custom patchwork.
*Genuine Issue Green Headover
*Warrior RICAS D.A. 5.56mm Plate Carrier, Warrior Pouches and custom made name tapes.
*Warrior Drop-Leg Platform and Holster.
*BULLE Dump Pouch.
*24-7 Series Tru-Spec Tactical Range Belt (Coyote Tan).
*Viper Single Point Bungee Sling.
*Genuine Oakley Pilot SI Gloves.
*Generic Custom Painted Knee Pads (from a previous loadout).
*Generic Black Assault Boots (not pictured).
*Various SEALs/US/Callsign patches.
*Gillie Tex D-Rings with Plasticuffs and Caylumes.
*Custom IBH Helmet with custom Krylon paint/velcro/hand-made headstrap.
*Genuine Bolle Goggles.
*Generic Shooting Glasses with smoke/yellow/clear lenses (not pictured).
*Custom Peltor Headset with custom earpads (ear defenders converted in to working headset).
*Custom IR Distress Marker painted and pre-worn.
*Custom G&G CM16 RIS non-blowback M4.
*Green Label Magpul Dark Earth PMAG's+1 Black PMAG.
*TM USP .45 Springer (for the look not performance).

[Auto Freak]

Excellent :D

[nice_guy_andy]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

Good effort!

I would at the earliest convience (If I was you) swap the UK made warrior stuff for some pantac or flyye molle kit, as even without looking at the kit list I could tell it was UK style kit rather than US style kit. I understand you dont want to or cant spend a fortune on eagle industries kit (not many do) but pantac and flyye actually make decent, affordable copies of eagle industries kit.

Oh and maybe think about wearing a pair of boots of some description as stocking feet on and airsoft field might end up hurting

[Fizzy]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

What plate carriers/vests would you recommend Andy?

[Teufelhunden]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

Fizzy you can use multiple vests, ill post my stuff up later tonight but I would say tmc is more value for money and excellent quality
I agree with Andy you can tell its uk stuff apposed to us styling
Vests can include ..

Slicks /6094
Ciras
Epc
Cage
But you can get chest rigs too like an rrv

[Babyalien]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

Oh and maybe think about wearing a pair of boots of some description as stocking feet on and airsoft field might end up hurting

These are the new lightweight breathable standard issue SF footwear I found on ebay, apparently they feel like you are wearing socks! lol. I wondered if anyone would pick up on that! Yeah, thought about the boots for the pics but not exactly indoor wear so listed but not pictured :0)

As for the Warrior vs Pantac/Flyye. Obviously I don't have such a keen eye as the rest of you when it comes to telling the difference between UK and US kit. There were a few factors that led me to go with the RICAS, the first was the price as it was £120 for the plate carrier, 8 mag pouches, Admin pouch and 2 x Utility pouches. The second was the availability, ordered 9:00pm, arrived 10:00am next day. The final one, and try not to laugh, but I have a longish neck so needed something that would build up the sides/shoulders slightly as didn't want to look like a giraffe in a plate carrier.

Having taken on-board what you said Andy and looked at prices, the Flyye/Pantacs seem to be pricier than I could afford and finding retailers selling them doesn't seem too easy but maybe that's just me.

[voodooTheMarshmallow]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

You could probably change to a mich 2000 and it would be passable as a relativley good Force Recon look , I'd personally take off the Navy SEAL patches as you'd almost never see those in use overseas or greenside . Apart from that I like it a lot

[Babyalien]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation ***PICS***

I do like the MICH 2000 and it does appear to be standard issue helmet but I have a small head and I used to have a PASGT which made me look like the Darth Vader character from the spoof film Space Balls as below:



Back to the serious part. I wanted to go with something smaller and little more unique so found out about the IBH which, although it was produced in very limited numbers, is still used by some SEALs operators during the most recent Iraq conflict as well as in Afghanistan. It also features in the forthcoming movie Act of Valor (as pictured). I bet sales of the IBH, as well as the MICH 2000 and 2001 which also feature, will suddenly increase I'm sure once this film has been released here later this month.



As for the patches, yes it is rare the SEALs patches are used/seen so I understand what you mean but they are on occasion as shown below so just a personal choice to use these, after all it in an interpretation as opposed to an exact replica loadout but this can always b changed easily enough.

[skullfacedinfidel]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

1. tighten you sling, as when seen in 2nd pic it won't smack u in the balls
2. remove US seals patch
and as stated i would look for another rig, i for one would go for ebay, keep what u got buy keep an eye open, plenty of RRV VBSS and CIRAS rigs on there from £50+ will defo make it look the extra mile.

[Babyalien]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

Yeah the sling is a little longer than I'd like but believe it or not it doesn't seem to tighten up any more, I can't get it to anyway. It came with the gun so it is just a temporary sling for the time being, quite like the Flyye one's. I did have a brief look on a 'well known bidding site' but not much there for less that $200. Might hold off on that one for a while. So as for the patches, the general consensus seems to be to remove these form the arms and presumably the helmet. Should I replace the one on the sleeve with another call sign patch and the one on the helmet with another US flag do you think?

By the way, the head strap system on the IBH in the Act of Valor film still above looks different to the one that coms with the helmet as standard, mine certainly didn't look like that. It looks more like a X-Nape or H-Nape to me. Any thoughts on this and the the MICH X or H-Nape strap systems work fine on the IBH hemets?

[voodooTheMarshmallow]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

About the patches , I was referring to the ones saying U.S Navy S.E.A.Ls , the" jolly rogers " tabs are not too uncommon to see . I have too flyye 1 pint bungee slings and they are very good (1000d cordura) . Personally I think that it would look better if you gave the m4 a paint job similar to this would make it look great .

[Babyalien]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

Ah, I see now. I waited 3 weeks for those bloody name taps too! lol. Maybe I need to replace those with a bloodgroup tape and a forum name tape. At least the Calico Jack (Jolly Roger) patches are 'acceptable'. I do like the full camo paint job and I have thought about doing a full Krylon creation but at the moment I only have the one M4 and wanted a gun that can also look the part in a PMC loadout so went with the paint job in my pics. Fingers crossed I should have an SPR Mod 0 on it's way too me which I paid for last Thursday after purchasing it on here so if it eventually turns up that might get an SF style paint job.

Is your Flyye single point sling the type that runs down the back of the vest and ties in to the back with the release cord or is it the type that loops around the shoulders?

Any thought/opinions about the headstrap system stated previously?

[voodooTheMarshmallow]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

I have the normal over the shoulders type , but when I use it with my ciras I run it through the shoulder pads to take away some of the weight , I'd personally get that over the one that runs through the vest otherwise if you take off the vest you don't have a sling . I'm not really big on the IBHs so I don't really have an opinion of them but I have found a few pics of them being run with mich straps so you could try that if you like .

[skullfacedinfidel]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

i have no idea on the head strap, as i can't really see yours, where did u get your from btw? also whats the comm set you running? tbh i would go with what ever feels comfy.

[Babyalien]

Re: US Navy SEALs interpretation with pics

That is a good point regarding the sling, I didn't take in to consideration the fact you will only be able to use it with the plate carrier if it is fitted directly to it. Maybe the less permanent option will be a more universal choice. The IBH originally has a headstrap system the same as in the picture below. However, due to having a very small noggin the standard straps could not be tightened up enough to make it secure on my head.

Not being one to be defeated I was convinced I could solve this issue by making my own headstrap and so set about it. Many hours and sore/stabbed/shredded fingers and thumbs later, it was finished. This combined with additional cycle helmet padding it is now a good fit. I do like the X/H-nape systems though but always thought these were exclusively for the MICH 2000.

As for the comms set, this is a custom design. I had one of those single earpiece/mic boom sets that loop over and around the back of one of your ears but the fit was poor (as they inherently seem to be). Wanting a more 'issue' look for my comms I purchased a set of Peltor ear defenders, removed the inner padding and the outer foam pads and drilled neat angled hole in the lower part of the left side I installed the ear piece/mic and carefully used epoxy resin to hold it in place and drilled some small holes dead centre each side to allow more outside sound in. Then finished this with some softer foam pads from a computer comms set.