Camouflage Uniforms - History
The purpose of camouflage uniforms is to help the soldier blend in the environment around him or her, which makes it then harder to spot for the enemy. There are sources that claim that different equipment was camouflaged for reconnaisance reasons, and some soldiers during Napoleonic Wars had uniforms that made it easier to blend in rather then usual Red or Blue uniforms. But during those days the main purpose of uniforms was to help the men recognize their own during the battle.
The modern camouflage as we know it today originates from the Second World War. Many German and American officers have seen that making uniform that has a pattern based on natural environment has plenty of benefits.
The modern camouflage as we know it today originates from the Second World War. Many German and American officers have seen that making uniform that has a pattern based on natural environment has plenty of benefits.
Picture taken from: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/65/a4/22/65a422eb34699789d44de63d1a50f7e5.jpg
After the World War 2, many militaries around the World have seen that camouflage uniforms are much better suited to combat then traditional uniforms, and therefore kept the traditional ones for parades, and made camouflage uniforms the combat clothing for all soldiers. During the Cold War many European Armies had only Woodland and Winter Snow camouflage patterns. Let's take British Army's DPM (Distruptive Pattern Material), which was being around since 1966.
Image taken from: http://www.crusader80.co.uk/images/1968patt.jpg
During the 90's when the Gulf War began, MOD (Ministry of Defence) introduced Desert variation of DPM. This was the same pattern, but the green, black, brown and yellow have been replaced with cream and light brown colours.
Picture taken from: http://patdollard.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/afghanistan_-_british_troops.preview.jpg
This version of camouflage worked well in typical desert areas, but it was found out in Afghanistan that it doesn't work well in the green areas. MOD has stated the need for camouflage that can work in both environments. US Army issued a camouflage called Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP), but many soldiers hated it. They said it was much worse for the desert and woodland then their old patterns.
Picture taken from: http://tacticalgear.com/data/default/images/contentpages/scorpion-acu/soldiers-wearning-universal-camo-pattern.jpg
US Army was also looking for the replacement that would work in both desert and woodland alike. This resulted in British Army and US Army working together to make new camouflage patterns. One of the patterns that have been shown to the US Army was called MultiCam, which would fit the requirements. British Army took the basis of the MultiCam and developed their own version. This resulted in British Army recieving camouflage called Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) and US Army issuing MultiCam. From 2013, all DPM clothing was replaced by the MTP in the British Army.
Picture taken from: https://ukforcesafghanistan.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/hquktf-2010-061-127.jpg
The MTP was found to be much better in brighter environments and was fantastic balance between desert and woodland camouflage. It is still used today. The camouflage was also seen popular within many Airsofters in the UK and within several years it took over the Army Surplus shops like a storm.
Camouflage for airsoft
Even if the Airsofters don't rely on camouflage to survive as much as soldiers do, it is definitely useful to wear camouflage to help you. The patterns you should wear depend on the environment of your skirmishing site. If it is woodland then we recommend:
If your environment is desert then we recommend:
If you want to have a balance between the two, then we recommend either US MultiCam or British MTP.
For snow we can't give recommendations (since we live in the UK and don't get much snow).
- British Woodland DPM
- German Flecktarn
- US Woodland
- Russian Seefra
If your environment is desert then we recommend:
- British Desert DPM
- US Army Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU)
If you want to have a balance between the two, then we recommend either US MultiCam or British MTP.
For snow we can't give recommendations (since we live in the UK and don't get much snow).