Home Made camo

[BuckShott]

Hey guys
A while ago I was reading some books and a few of them talked about improvised camo patterns. Also I have seen a few pictures from vietnam that look improvised. One is the standard Tropical uniform only with black paint stripes looking a bit like tree branches, lots of forks and y's. Also in the pics they guys canvas gear is painted the same way. Another I read about , the soldiers used O.D utilities and used black RITT dye and the classic method of Tye Dyeing to make an improvised camo. They also overdyed tropical uniforms all black for operations in cambodia and loas. I have also seen a chinese AK chest pouch that was brought back by a veteran that was Dyed Black. He was with MACV.

Just thought you guys might like to know. I think I might get some of the new green ripstop BDU's and give them a Tye dye bath.

Buck

[nartron]

Tie dying can work depending on colors used. I tried it on some jungle fatigues in the early 1970s and it was okay. Highlighted them with black and brown magic marker for more effect. Still not as effective as ERDL or Tiger though.

[Ezra Coli]

I've often considered tie dying my ODs, but I haven't. I like the OD best of all the BDUs I've got.

I like the fact that guys in VietNam got industrious and would buy commercial camo or acquire shelter halves in Mitchell pattern, take them to the local mamasan and have her sew them up a pair of BDUs. There was a theatre-made BDU set in Mitchell pattern on ebay not to long ago, went for around $85 IIRC.

[BuckShott]

Glad you mentioned the Mitchell Ezra
I forgot to write about that. I guess it was only on Helmet covers, shelter halves and possibly poncho liners. I had read that the mitchell pattern (also called Maple leaf) shelter halves had been made into BDU's, I have never seen pics of them before though.

Buck