Ezra Coli
03-19-2004, 01:05 AM
Some Soviet/Russian camo examples
These images have been culled from the internet and I don't remember exactly where I got them all. The latter ones I believe are images Mr. Makarov took (Mr. Makarov is Mikhail Kalashnikov's representative, is that right Roman?). The other photos are all assumed public domain as they were posted on public forums or without restrictions. If I have missed credit or posted an image in error, please inform me. I have also relied heavily for research on Dennis Desmond's "Camouflage Uniforms of the Soviet Union and Russia 1937 to the present". This is an excellent reference by the most respected Western authority on the subject.
Just a very basic primer on Russian camo, this is just a start, I will fill it out as time goes by, feel free to post examples of your own.
"Solnechnyi Zaichiki" - Sunshine Rays
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/001klm.jpg
This is a Soviet trooper (Airborne Assault troops / VDV) with a tanker fellow (in the helmet). He's wearing the classic "solnechnyi zaichiki" style camouflage, which means "sunshine rays" and often refered to as "digital" or "laser", even though it has nothing to do with anything digital or laser. It is a close ancestor, and a direct development of, Russian WWII era stepped leaf camo patterns. This pattern was used in many variations and colors from the immediate post WWII era to the early 1990s. It was generally issued to special troops, scouts, intelligence troops, combat engineers and snipers. It became more common in the 60s and 70s, and variations of this scheme were issued to specialized troops in substantial quanities in Afghanistan, where this photo was taken. The confusion surrounding Soviet and Russian camouflage designations is largely due to Westerners referring to the style or cut of a garment rather than the pattern printed upon it. This is where the term "KLMK" or "KZS" originated in refering to this pattern. KLMK is the acronym for the Russian words meaning "Camouflage Summer Deceptive Oversuit", and denotes a one piece overall. A variant of this pattern was used to produce two piece oversuits of a loosely woven fabric, incorrectly called KLMK in the west. This garment is the popular camo suit sold today for $20-40 and was intended to be disposable (don't wash it!). The garment's true designation is KZS, an acronym for "camouflaged net outfit"
http://www.nato.int/sfor/indexinf/133/p12a/b02011a.jpg
This pattern has never lost its appeal and is still in use today with some units, especially for display and tradition. The second pic is from a Spetsnaz demonstration, common during holidays in Russia, and these young men are looking quite sharp in their solnechnyi zaichiki patterned duds. Variations of this pattern are making a reappearance in the field too, though possibly not an officially issued camouflage, with troops of various internal ministries and anti-terrorism units. You can find this newest variant, made by SPLAV of Russia, sold commercially under the name "Berezka". This and other commercially made patterns are often purchased privately by units or individuals within the Russian special forces.
This pattern was also the basis for the famous uniforms used in the 1980s movie "Red Dawn". The consultants did quite good research considering what they had to work with during the height of the Cold War, but the pattern in the movie was slightly different having darker colored splotches inside the white stepped edge leaf splotches. This camo is somewhat collectible in its own right. A fellow board member known here as "Promethuse606" has a set of Red Dawn camo and it is quite close to the true "solnechnyi zaichiki".
Soviet Woodland
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/05woodlandvdv.jpg
These VDV troopers are sporting a variant of Soviet Woodland, of which there are very many color variations. Note the typically darker blue color of the Soviet era VDV beret when compared to post-Soviet VDV light blue berets. I am still unsure at this time if the difference in blue is intentional, photographic issues, or just coincedence. I do happen to own a Soviet era VDV beret and it is substantially darker that its modern counterpart.
Are Woodland schemes specific to a particualr branch? Some people will look at a camo pattern and say "that's the naval infantry pattern" or "that one is for special forces only". While this is sometimes true, its not a reliable distinguishing characteristic in determining a kind of uniform. We'll use Naval Infantry as our example to look at the issue. While there are SOME specific patterns made for specific branches of the military, it is more common to see patterns used for need-specific reasons such as climate and local terrain characteristics. For example, Soviet Naval Infantry troops were not usually issued a special "naval infantry" version of the Russian woodland pattern, instead they are usually issued uniforms in a naval infantry style and cut that featured a woodland pattern suited for the role. Naval combat uniforms DO have differences, such as an extra set of pockets and no internal holster, and naval combat shirts are worn untucked with a belt at midwaist, unlike land forces who have the option to tuck the shirt in. This (the cut and style of a uniform) should be used in determining if a particular woodland patterned camo shirt is "naval infantry", or some other branch specific uniform, rather than the style of woodland camo printed upon it.
Some confusion may also arise among woodland patterns because some variants are printed with only two colors as opposed to three, four and even five colors as seen on some other variants. What appears to be a different pattern altogether is still classified woodland based on the pattern having certain characteristics. Woodland is characterized by splotches or sworls that are jigsaw-like in appearance, and the pattern does not have a dominant horizontal or vertical tendency. Some woodland patterns feature jigsaw-like splotches that appear very hard edged and regular in dispertion. Some patterns of woodland even appear very much like the old U.S. "Duck Hunter" or U.S.M.C. pattern in some ways. Then there are other more common variants that have overlapping sworls and jigsaw-like splotches that are densely spaced, like the ones in our sample picture. There is no noticable "grain" or dominant direction of the pattern, unlike later VSR and Flora which have either strong vertical or horizontal tendencies.
A note on Soviet and Russian Berets
Many times a photo of a Russian soldier will feature a beret. It is worthy to note that the manner of wearing a beret in Russian tradition is very different than Western tradition. It is completely acceptable to wear a Russian beret without crushing or flopping one side down. This would be the proper manner to wear a British or U.S. beret. Anther Russian tradition, especially among Airborne troops, is to wear the beret far back on the head, tilted rearward. This appear quite odd to many westerners and somewhat casual or cavalier in attitude, but among Russians it is also a perfectly acceptable manner of wear.
As Russian began to become more open to the west after the fall of the Soviet Union, you begin to notice some western influence in the manner of wearing a beret. If you look at the photo of the trooper in the section covering DPM camouflage, you see that he is wearing his beret in the full Western style.
VSR or "Schofield""
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/08vsr01.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/08vsr_02.jpg
VSR camouflage was created to give the new post-Soviet Russian military a new and unique camouflage pattern. Because it is indeed a unique pattern, with very few like it, it has become very popular with collectors. Besides the "Solnechnyi Zaichiki", there is no camouflage pattern that says "Russian" so well. VSR is characterized by a strong vertical grain, or banding. There are many variations of VSR, as shown by the striking differences in the following photos. VSR is often seen side by side or in combination with the later and similarly colored "Flora" pattern. First identified in the West by a researcher named Schofield, it often carries that name.
VSR is a three color camo, sometimes one color is not printed or is very similar to the base material giving a less dense appearance (see the photo of the paratrooper in a very peculiar version of VSR). There are VSR color variations for regional and seasonal use as well. VSR is commercially available in a two piece, lightweight enlisted man's summer uniform. This particular uniform isn't particularly durable or of high quality, but is nicely colored in the VSR green summer coloration. Other uniforms, most of substantially better quality than the summer lightweight suit, can be found among collectors in various color variations.
More info coming...
"Flora"
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/07flora01.jpg
"Flora" is one of the most commonly seen Russian patterns today. It was intended to replace Woodland and VSR in the early to mid 1990's, but you will see Flora and VSR side by side. Flora is a three color camouflage that is characterized by a strong horizontal grain or banding.
More info coming...
Special camouflage- "Gorod" or "City"
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/25interior.jpg
More info coming...
Special camouflage- The "tiger stripes", Kamysh and others
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/blu_tiger01.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/city2plus.jpg
The so-called "Tiger" or Tigr camouflage is interesting stuff. It appears to be limited to use by OSN (Otriad Spetsialnogo Naznacheniya) forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). These elite special troops have been seen in the southern republics, including Chechnya. The camouflage pattern is very much like other "tiger stripe" patterns of European origins, such as the Portuguese patterns or French Lizard. There are two basic variants, an urban (or blue) coloration and a field (earthtones) variation, but even among these two main categories are differences in color and intensity. At least two companies make this pattern, and they are available commercially under the trade names "Tigr" and "Kamysh".
In the top picture, an urban variation is seen, in the lower image, the vest is a slightly lighter urban variation. Not that the trooper in the lower image is wearing a VSR helmet cover and a "Gorod-2" rainsuit along with his Tigr vest.
More info coming...
Special camouflage- Russian DPM clone...
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/dpm.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/dpm01.jpg
More info coming...
These images have been culled from the internet and I don't remember exactly where I got them all. The latter ones I believe are images Mr. Makarov took (Mr. Makarov is Mikhail Kalashnikov's representative, is that right Roman?). The other photos are all assumed public domain as they were posted on public forums or without restrictions. If I have missed credit or posted an image in error, please inform me. I have also relied heavily for research on Dennis Desmond's "Camouflage Uniforms of the Soviet Union and Russia 1937 to the present". This is an excellent reference by the most respected Western authority on the subject.
Just a very basic primer on Russian camo, this is just a start, I will fill it out as time goes by, feel free to post examples of your own.
"Solnechnyi Zaichiki" - Sunshine Rays
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/001klm.jpg
This is a Soviet trooper (Airborne Assault troops / VDV) with a tanker fellow (in the helmet). He's wearing the classic "solnechnyi zaichiki" style camouflage, which means "sunshine rays" and often refered to as "digital" or "laser", even though it has nothing to do with anything digital or laser. It is a close ancestor, and a direct development of, Russian WWII era stepped leaf camo patterns. This pattern was used in many variations and colors from the immediate post WWII era to the early 1990s. It was generally issued to special troops, scouts, intelligence troops, combat engineers and snipers. It became more common in the 60s and 70s, and variations of this scheme were issued to specialized troops in substantial quanities in Afghanistan, where this photo was taken. The confusion surrounding Soviet and Russian camouflage designations is largely due to Westerners referring to the style or cut of a garment rather than the pattern printed upon it. This is where the term "KLMK" or "KZS" originated in refering to this pattern. KLMK is the acronym for the Russian words meaning "Camouflage Summer Deceptive Oversuit", and denotes a one piece overall. A variant of this pattern was used to produce two piece oversuits of a loosely woven fabric, incorrectly called KLMK in the west. This garment is the popular camo suit sold today for $20-40 and was intended to be disposable (don't wash it!). The garment's true designation is KZS, an acronym for "camouflaged net outfit"
http://www.nato.int/sfor/indexinf/133/p12a/b02011a.jpg
This pattern has never lost its appeal and is still in use today with some units, especially for display and tradition. The second pic is from a Spetsnaz demonstration, common during holidays in Russia, and these young men are looking quite sharp in their solnechnyi zaichiki patterned duds. Variations of this pattern are making a reappearance in the field too, though possibly not an officially issued camouflage, with troops of various internal ministries and anti-terrorism units. You can find this newest variant, made by SPLAV of Russia, sold commercially under the name "Berezka". This and other commercially made patterns are often purchased privately by units or individuals within the Russian special forces.
This pattern was also the basis for the famous uniforms used in the 1980s movie "Red Dawn". The consultants did quite good research considering what they had to work with during the height of the Cold War, but the pattern in the movie was slightly different having darker colored splotches inside the white stepped edge leaf splotches. This camo is somewhat collectible in its own right. A fellow board member known here as "Promethuse606" has a set of Red Dawn camo and it is quite close to the true "solnechnyi zaichiki".
Soviet Woodland
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/05woodlandvdv.jpg
These VDV troopers are sporting a variant of Soviet Woodland, of which there are very many color variations. Note the typically darker blue color of the Soviet era VDV beret when compared to post-Soviet VDV light blue berets. I am still unsure at this time if the difference in blue is intentional, photographic issues, or just coincedence. I do happen to own a Soviet era VDV beret and it is substantially darker that its modern counterpart.
Are Woodland schemes specific to a particualr branch? Some people will look at a camo pattern and say "that's the naval infantry pattern" or "that one is for special forces only". While this is sometimes true, its not a reliable distinguishing characteristic in determining a kind of uniform. We'll use Naval Infantry as our example to look at the issue. While there are SOME specific patterns made for specific branches of the military, it is more common to see patterns used for need-specific reasons such as climate and local terrain characteristics. For example, Soviet Naval Infantry troops were not usually issued a special "naval infantry" version of the Russian woodland pattern, instead they are usually issued uniforms in a naval infantry style and cut that featured a woodland pattern suited for the role. Naval combat uniforms DO have differences, such as an extra set of pockets and no internal holster, and naval combat shirts are worn untucked with a belt at midwaist, unlike land forces who have the option to tuck the shirt in. This (the cut and style of a uniform) should be used in determining if a particular woodland patterned camo shirt is "naval infantry", or some other branch specific uniform, rather than the style of woodland camo printed upon it.
Some confusion may also arise among woodland patterns because some variants are printed with only two colors as opposed to three, four and even five colors as seen on some other variants. What appears to be a different pattern altogether is still classified woodland based on the pattern having certain characteristics. Woodland is characterized by splotches or sworls that are jigsaw-like in appearance, and the pattern does not have a dominant horizontal or vertical tendency. Some woodland patterns feature jigsaw-like splotches that appear very hard edged and regular in dispertion. Some patterns of woodland even appear very much like the old U.S. "Duck Hunter" or U.S.M.C. pattern in some ways. Then there are other more common variants that have overlapping sworls and jigsaw-like splotches that are densely spaced, like the ones in our sample picture. There is no noticable "grain" or dominant direction of the pattern, unlike later VSR and Flora which have either strong vertical or horizontal tendencies.
A note on Soviet and Russian Berets
Many times a photo of a Russian soldier will feature a beret. It is worthy to note that the manner of wearing a beret in Russian tradition is very different than Western tradition. It is completely acceptable to wear a Russian beret without crushing or flopping one side down. This would be the proper manner to wear a British or U.S. beret. Anther Russian tradition, especially among Airborne troops, is to wear the beret far back on the head, tilted rearward. This appear quite odd to many westerners and somewhat casual or cavalier in attitude, but among Russians it is also a perfectly acceptable manner of wear.
As Russian began to become more open to the west after the fall of the Soviet Union, you begin to notice some western influence in the manner of wearing a beret. If you look at the photo of the trooper in the section covering DPM camouflage, you see that he is wearing his beret in the full Western style.
VSR or "Schofield""
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/08vsr01.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/08vsr_02.jpg
VSR camouflage was created to give the new post-Soviet Russian military a new and unique camouflage pattern. Because it is indeed a unique pattern, with very few like it, it has become very popular with collectors. Besides the "Solnechnyi Zaichiki", there is no camouflage pattern that says "Russian" so well. VSR is characterized by a strong vertical grain, or banding. There are many variations of VSR, as shown by the striking differences in the following photos. VSR is often seen side by side or in combination with the later and similarly colored "Flora" pattern. First identified in the West by a researcher named Schofield, it often carries that name.
VSR is a three color camo, sometimes one color is not printed or is very similar to the base material giving a less dense appearance (see the photo of the paratrooper in a very peculiar version of VSR). There are VSR color variations for regional and seasonal use as well. VSR is commercially available in a two piece, lightweight enlisted man's summer uniform. This particular uniform isn't particularly durable or of high quality, but is nicely colored in the VSR green summer coloration. Other uniforms, most of substantially better quality than the summer lightweight suit, can be found among collectors in various color variations.
More info coming...
"Flora"
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/07flora01.jpg
"Flora" is one of the most commonly seen Russian patterns today. It was intended to replace Woodland and VSR in the early to mid 1990's, but you will see Flora and VSR side by side. Flora is a three color camouflage that is characterized by a strong horizontal grain or banding.
More info coming...
Special camouflage- "Gorod" or "City"
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/25interior.jpg
More info coming...
Special camouflage- The "tiger stripes", Kamysh and others
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/blu_tiger01.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/city2plus.jpg
The so-called "Tiger" or Tigr camouflage is interesting stuff. It appears to be limited to use by OSN (Otriad Spetsialnogo Naznacheniya) forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). These elite special troops have been seen in the southern republics, including Chechnya. The camouflage pattern is very much like other "tiger stripe" patterns of European origins, such as the Portuguese patterns or French Lizard. There are two basic variants, an urban (or blue) coloration and a field (earthtones) variation, but even among these two main categories are differences in color and intensity. At least two companies make this pattern, and they are available commercially under the trade names "Tigr" and "Kamysh".
In the top picture, an urban variation is seen, in the lower image, the vest is a slightly lighter urban variation. Not that the trooper in the lower image is wearing a VSR helmet cover and a "Gorod-2" rainsuit along with his Tigr vest.
More info coming...
Special camouflage- Russian DPM clone...
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/dpm.jpg
http://headsbunker.com/img/RussianCamo/image/dpm01.jpg
More info coming...