Frag Out! Magazine

sorted out in the way commonly associated with PLCE. A system of T-bars (in Pattern Two they were metal ones), snap fasteners and Velcro tape allowed pouches to be slotted neatly to the loops on the inside of the belt making a stabile and comfortable combination. On the other hand, an unrestrained imagination of designers produced a curious utility pouch which for an unknown reason could be attached to the belt at two different heights. Unfortunately no other pouch in the set had this feature. Generally speaking, the purpose of PLCE Olive was to test various ideas and innovations. Those which were considered appropriate influenced the appearance of the PLCE we know today. PLCE Pattern Three (PaTTErn 95) Pattern 95 is a misleading name, as the new version of PLCE entered service not in the middle of the 1990-s but earlier, around 1991–1992 (the earliest dated ammo pouch I managed to find was tagged 1991). The name comes from the camouflage used in this webbing pattern, that is DPM S95. Comparing to its predecessor, this webbing was truly refined and could be compared to a set of LEGO – all parts fitting one another perfectly. The unified fastening system simplified the process of attaching pouches to the belt and newly introduced A-rings solved the problem of strapping yokes (however these metal elements added to the weight of the webbing). Dedicated ammo pouches were finally substituted by a double-sided model. Other elements were left intact, although their range gradually increased. Since PLCE Pattern 95 was issued, several new matching pouches were added to the set, including radio pouch, wire cutter pouch, LLM (laser light module) pouch, 200 round Minimi pouch, trauma pouch etc. If you think that this is the final stage of PLCE evolution, you are wrong. Quite the contrary. The PLCE in classic form was only ten years when the wise and omnipotent started to think how to overdo the improvements. EQUIPMENT

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