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  #1  
Old 03-03-09, 09:56 PM
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slick_mick slick_mick is offline
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Default SAS Soldier Uniforms

Here's a couple of pics of SAS soldiers in Vietnam - from my mate's collection.





Mick
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  #2  
Old 05-03-09, 11:03 PM
lettman lettman is offline
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Very interesting, Mick. Is that the US so-called ERDL camo uniform, or something else? What date?
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  #3  
Old 06-03-09, 11:35 AM
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Looks like very early Auscam on the lower one, bit more biscuit shaped than the Yank stuff was I think :-) I have some photo's at home (around 30) of the SAS in Vietnam that I picked up with a group of medals of mine (one has a very nice girl in an SAS beret, and a rather tan uniform ;-) ). :-)

I'll try and post them next time I get them out....

Tom
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  #4  
Old 06-03-09, 07:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lettman View Post
Very interesting, Mick. Is that the US so-called ERDL camo uniform, or something else? What date?
I think its the camo uniform the US Special Forces and LRRPs wore - I'll ask my mate and see if he knows as the pictures are out of his collection.

Mick
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  #5  
Old 10-03-09, 04:44 AM
Chrisr Chrisr is offline
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Lower photo are the US Camouflage uniform worn with the US short combat boot. The only Australian unit issued with them in Vietnam. Australian camouflage uniforms only came out in the late the late 1980's/early 1990's.

Photo's look to be post 1967 or later, may even be 1970 -71. I am pretty sure they were taken at the second squadron location on Nui Dat Hill. Although I am not sure of the actual location of the top one (I can't place the bunker in relation to the building in the background which appears to be the dining hall), the lower photo appears to be taken on Nadzab LZ on the hill with the squadron crapper in the background, but it looks back to front to me.

They are also wearing the old style Australian produced sandy beret with the cloth band

Cheers
Chris

Last edited by Chrisr; 10-03-09 at 04:59 AM.
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  #6  
Old 10-03-09, 11:15 AM
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The cut of the camo jackets looks US (with the slanting pockets), but a closer look reveals none of the black 'bits' that made up the ERDL outfit. It'd be nice to have the pattern properly pinned down.
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  #7  
Old 11-03-09, 05:39 AM
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Hi Lettman,

I can assure you they are the US pattern camouflage uniform. This is not guess work but my own first hand experience. That is what we wore up there when on patrol after about mid 1967, although the odd man wore the ARVN tiger pattern, but very rarely. We were issued one set on arrival in country. Yes they did have small black sections but they were not prominent and after a few patrols the pattern became rather faded anyway.

Regards
Chris

Last edited by Chrisr; 11-03-09 at 07:54 AM.
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  #8  
Old 11-03-09, 06:06 AM
Chrisr Chrisr is offline
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Attached is a photo of the photo on the cover of Phantoms of The Jungle I hope it comes out OK.

It was taken in 1969 (3 SAS Squadron) Ray Mickleberg is wearing an ARVN Tiger Suit, the rest are wearing US camouflage uniform.

Cheers
Chris
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File Type: jpg SASPatrol 1969.jpg (71.6 KB, 101 views)
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  #9  
Old 11-03-09, 08:57 AM
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Here we have some photo's from my collection (I believe they are with 1 Sqn in NSW, but I may be wrong), can anyone spot the unauthorised uniform being worn in the background?
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File Type: jpg Picture 005.jpg (40.8 KB, 116 views)
File Type: jpg Picture 004.jpg (45.5 KB, 120 views)
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  #10  
Old 11-03-09, 09:17 AM
lettman lettman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier View Post
Here we have some photo's from my collection (I believe they are with 1 Sqn in NSW, but I may be wrong), can anyone spot the unauthorised uniform being worn in the background?
Yeah, the camouflage is so good you can see straight through it!

Great first-hand info, guys -- thanks to Chris et al.
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  #11  
Old 12-03-09, 11:19 PM
Chrisr Chrisr is offline
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Mods,

I think this thread should be moved to the sub forum of Photographs of Australian Servicemen and Woman.

Cheers
Chris
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  #12  
Old 13-03-09, 03:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unknownsoldier View Post
Here we have some photo's from my collection (I believe they are with 1 Sqn in NSW, but I may be wrong), can anyone spot the unauthorised uniform being worn in the background?
I only noticed the non-regulation hair cut, the uniform looks ok to me,
I can't see anything thing else out of order...
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  #13  
Old 14-04-09, 03:23 AM
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On the topic of SAS in Vietnam, I was recently looking at an Osprey Book called "Vietnam ANZACS: Australian& New Zealand Troops in Vietnam 1962 - 72"

In Plate F, the SAS Figure No 1 (SAS Patrolman, 3 Sqn, 1969) is shown wearing a tiger stripe beret. I thought this was quite unusual and thought I'd raise it here to get people's opinions on this.

Mick
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  #14  
Old 14-04-09, 12:44 PM
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Phillip Herring Phillip Herring is offline
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You missed it. The chimp above the window is not authorized to wear a military uniform!
Phil

Last edited by Phillip Herring; 14-04-09 at 08:37 PM.
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  #15  
Old 14-04-09, 12:50 PM
Chrisr Chrisr is offline
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Mick,

Re the Tiger stripe beret. They did exist and I recall one member wearing one at one time during our tour, but they were uncommon.

Cheers
Chris
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