Vietnam War US ARMY Inf. uniform and gear reference guide

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Vietnam War US ARMY Inf. uniform and gear reference guide

Postby congofal » Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:40 am

Here's a reference guide for guys that want to put together a US ARMY Infantryman impression , i made it a while back with items from my own collection.

The US ARMY went to war in Vietnam using the same uniforms that where at the time being used for every day tasks , the uniforms where not suited for the conditions the ARMY encountered in the jungle environment in Vietnam.

OG-107 Cotton Sateen Utility Uniform.

"Type I" introduced in 1952.
Shirt
Image

Trousers
Image

"Type II" production started in April of 1963
Shirt
Image

Trousers remained the same as the Type I

"Type III" production started at the end of 1964
Shirt
Image

Trousers
Image


Jungle Fatigues

Third Pattern Jungle Fatigues were introduced in late 1966 / early 1967

Shirt
Image

Trousers
Image

Undershirts
Early in the War White cotton undershirts where used
Image

Later on the O.D. cotton undershirt was introduced
Image

M-1965 Field Jacket
The M65 was introduced into service in 1965 as a replacement for the M-1951 field jacket
Image


Shirt , Sleeping Man's
The Sleep shirt was used mainly in cold areas of Vietnam .
Image

Belts used for the trousers came in many styles and they where also made by unit riggers
Image

M52 FLAK vest ,this was the standard issue vest for infantrymen until 1967 when it was replaced by the 3/4 collar vest , also known as the M67 FLAK vest
Image

M67 FLAK vest
Image
Boots
The first boots used in Vietnam where the standard all leather boots
Jump boots
Image

Regular Infantry all leather boots
Image

Because the all leather boots where not well suited for the jungle conditions , they where replaced by a new boot type designed for jungle warfare

The Jungle boot came in two versions the Jungle Boot (Vibram Sole) introduced in 1966 and the Jungle Boot (Panama Sole) introduced in 1967

Panama Sole on the left , Vibram Sole on the right
Image


Webgear
The M56 webgear consisted of the Equipment Belt, Load Bearing Suspenders, Canteen with Cup and Cover x2 , Small Arms Ammunition Pouch x2, Combat Field Pack, First Aid Case, Entrenching Tool with Cover.

Early war M56 webgear
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Mid war M56 webgear
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Late in the war pieces of the M67 webgear began to show up in country , fulls sets of M67 gear aren't always seen in photos , but there could have been some full sets issued , specially during the last months of US involvement in the war.
Image

The 5 gallon bladder was the most widely used item on the above photo.

Some units used Magazines Vests. The Vests came in many different variations and styles

Magazine Vest with pockets on the sides designed to carry canteens
Image

ERDL Magazine Vest
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Miscellaneous equipment
Top row , left to right
M17 Gas Mask and carrier , angle head flashlights
Middle row , left to right
Claymore bag (this can have many uses) , M18 Smoke grenades . 40mm illumination grenades , 40mm practice grenade , Serum Albumin can , M56 entrenching tool .
Bottom row , left to right
M16 bandoleers , M79 bandoleer
Image
Si vis pacem, para bellum .
Le diable marche avec nous
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Postby congofal » Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:36 pm

Here's my almost complete ( missing the butt pack) M67 web gear set up

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Postby Unconventional » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:00 pm

Man...I'm salivating already....jeeesh!
Nice!
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Postby Zack » Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:40 pm

That is some nice kit there!
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Postby congofal » Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:29 am

Many years of collecting.
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Postby Zack » Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:19 am

I have no doubt about that. Do you perhaps know a good source for 3rd pattern uniforms?
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Postby congofal » Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:52 pm

Moore Militaria is a good source for Repro and Original Uniforms and Gear

http://www.mooremilitaria.com
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Postby Zack » Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:44 am

That good sir, is amazing. Fragistan has been looking for a source of OD-107's for our kits.
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Re: Vietnam War US ARMY Inf. uniform and gear reference gui

Postby Aleli54 » Tue May 07, 2013 3:31 pm

Cool gear but now is it original?
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Re: Vietnam War US ARMY Inf. uniform and gear reference gui

Postby Shadowsta13 » Tue May 07, 2013 6:59 pm

Aleli54 wrote:Cool gear but now is it original?

I would assume yes, because knowing Congo he has be collecting for awhile...
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Re: Vietnam War US ARMY Inf. uniform and gear reference gui

Postby congofal » Wed May 08, 2013 11:56 pm

LOL, yes everything i own is original, no need to buy repro stuff when i can find the real deal for much cheaper than repro stuff costs.
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