US Vietnam OD Gear?

[Queboo12]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but I just can't find the name of the OD'ish gear used in the Pacific in ww2 and what looks to be used the same in Vietnam. Supposed to specially designed for hot weather use. Is it mk43 gear or OG-107 or something?
Heres some pics of what i'm looking for:




Cheers guys and excuse the noobie question

[tomlegg]

Re: US Vietnam OD Gear?

Hi there mate,

I can't help you with the WWII gear but for Vietnam, the US forces were originally issued OG-107 (the shade of Olive Green used) sateen utilites and then transitioned to the OG-107 jungle fatigues. After this they then moved on the camoflague ERDL jungle fatigues.

Here is a good website to help with the Nam uniforms and gear:

http://www.vietnamgear.com/equipment.aspx?cat=2

Hope this helps,

Tom

[Lardassmonkey]

Re: US Vietnam OD Gear?

The US army uniform in the Pacific was the standard M41 uniform used throughout most of the war. In hot climates often just the HBTs (herring bone twill) were worn though. The use of the M43 uniform in the east was limited as it was designed for cold weather, it was mostly worn in Burma/China where the climate was cooler, especially in the mountains. These were very different uniforms to the gear issued in Vietnam, although of course they were related.

[Wingmann]

Re: US Vietnam OD Gear?

OG-107 for the uniform (be it utility or jungle). The gear itself is -mainly- the M-56 or M-67 for 'Nam.
WWII gear is similar in design -suspenders, belt, musette bag, ammo pouches- but it's got different designations.

Here's a good read:
http://books.google.com/books?id=NWf...20belt&f=false

[demoncase]

Re: US Vietnam OD Gear?

Right then:

For the US forces,During WW2 there were a number of different patterns of OD fatigues issued- the most common being the HBT pattern (used by everyone who could get hold of it) and the P41 suits (Issued to the USMC specifically- basically a lighter cut/greener colour variant of the more familiar 'Jump Suits' worn by the 101st etc)....P41 suits really didn't make it to Vietnam for the simple reason that they got binned in favour of the newer OD Fatigues 'below'

During the early 1960s yet another new set of OD fatigues were issued- namely the 1st Pattern OG107s- these are still a heavy cotton material designed to be worn worldwide and have two upper pockets with exposed buttons. Often these got mixed and matched with the OD 'working fatigues' issued at the time as non-combat uniforms. (this is what the 'Green beret' in your third picture is wearing!)

Based on complaints from advisors in the late 50s and early 1960s about the hotness and heavyness of the original OG107 fatigues, a series of improved, lighter cotton fatigue sets were created- the OG107 Tropical Fatigues- 1st, 2nd and 3rd patterns all were issued and tops/trousers got mixed and matched. All patterns have- crucially- 4 pockets on the shirt.

Early on these were in plain poplin cotton, later they got the improved ripstop....In your first and second picture, the guys are wearing 3rd pattern OG107s, which was the most common issue during the Vietnam war- Most clearly, 3rd Pattern OGs have slanted upper pockets.

Sourcing- there's a certain popular auction site that will score you originals. Reproductions are available from a certain mercenary supplier to re-enactors.