Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
moDS of tyPe (Since 1995) Type VI Coat Coat, Hot Weather, Woodland camouflage pattern; Combat NSN 8415-01-390-85XX Standardized on 27 May 1994, but production was started after 2 February 1995 [7]. The coat was made of a new fabric: 6.7 oz. 50% nylon 50% cotton rip-stop (50/50 NYCO rip- stop). The cut of the coat underwent further changes. First of all, waist adjustment was removed. Lower pockets were changed; since then, the pouch-like stitching was used for the outer edge, while the bottom and inner edge were sewn flat. Cuff adjustment tabs were widened. The Type VI coats were produced until the cease of production on 12 August 2010 (SPM1C1-09-D-F009). Type VI coats and trousers could be used together with Type III coats and trousers, provided that they were in the same condition and color. New uniforms were far more durable, but still they wore faster than Type I uniforms. Type VI Trousers Trousers, Hot Weather, Woodland camouflage pattern; combat NSN 8415-01-390-89XX Standardized on 29 May 1994. Just as in the case of coats, the new type of trousers was produced since 1995. The only thing that made those different from Type III was the removal of darts on knees, so that legs of the trousers were straight in a rest position. Two ways of sewing on the reinforcement on the back were allowed. Some parts of the trousers had the layer of fabric sewn in the inside, while some other on the outside. Some trousers from final batches had also the bug flap removed. Type VI trousers were produced until 13 June 2010 (SPM1C1-09-D-F009). Due to the introduction of Type VI, all the changes in the cut were applied in Type I manufactured since 1995. In the end, throughout the years, Type I coat was produced in three cut versions, trousers – in two. The NSNs were never changed, just as the fabric (there were only some initial problems with durability of colors). The last coats were produced on 1 June 2009 (SPM1C1-09-D-F009), while the last trousers were manufactured under SPM1C1-07-D-1531. 1993-1995 contrActS When I was gathering references for this I article, I encountered quite an interesting fact. It appeared that contracts awarded on a particular date can be implemented in the last quarter of the preceding year, as well as in subsequent years. Usually, in the case of such stuff like uniforms, manufacturing was performed pretty fast, but it appears that sometimes the story is different. The date of the contract award generally does not reflect changes in the product. If there is a change in the specification when the production is in progress, such changes are implemented in the production. Such a situation occurred after the introduction of new specification for coats and trousers in 1995. Some of the coats and trousers from 1993-94 contracts were sewn in new cuts (it refers to Type I and Type III/VI). It results from delays in production of those contracts. At the same time, after the introduction of changes due to large stock of Woodland pattern cotton rip-stop fabrics, the manufacturers were allowed to use it, but uniforms had to be produced in accordance with the new cut. That is why it is possible to find 100% cotton rip-stop Type VI BDUs. Usually, such uniforms have an asterisk (*) printed on the label. minor chAnGeS in the 1990S Due to the change of colors of various elements of equipment in 1991, specifications of some fabrics were changed from Olive Green to Camouflage Green. In the case of uniforms, it mainly considered the adjustment webbing straps in the waist and the bands in the trousers cuffs. Other materials can be also found in many different places. Those changes were introduced from time to time until the stocks were depleted. UNIFORMS