British DPM COMBAT UNIFORM 3

DPM Parka

Parka - Cold Weather

Made famous during the Falklands Conflict

Introduced in the mid-1970s, this replaced the old Korea-type olive green 1953 pattern parka with its artificial fur liner. The new parka was a knee-length design with a voluminous quilted hood with wired surround and front and nape adjuster draw-cords.

It featured a high neck double-ended zip with Velcro storm flap, Velcro wrist straps, four large pockets (the lower two of which were of bellows type) and a crotch flap. The parka had a removable quilted liner (Liner - Parka. Man's Cold Weather) not dissimilar to the 'Mao suit' or Chinese Fighting Jacket. This attached to the inside of the Parka by Velcro patches and was fastened at the front by Velcro strips. It had mesh armpit vents to prevent overheating.

The parka was designed to be worn over the combat suit as an extra layer in extreme cold weather. It was neither wind or waterproof but was nevertheless suitable for purpose and - when worn under a waterproof outer layer - was extremely warm and ideal for sentry duty. It was not designed for excessive movement, i.e. fighting, and the wearer would overheat relatively quickly with even moderate exertion.

As with other garments, the quality of the fabric used in these parkas also declined markedly in the late 1980s, with the inclusion of artificial fibres to the basic cotton weave. The parka - whilst still useful - is generally regarded as obsolete, though it is understood there are still some retained in stock.

NSN: 6405-99-132-2533

DPM Waterproofs

See Suit Crisp Packet.

Suit Crisp Packet

From ARRSEpedia

Two-piece (Jacket & Trousers) DPM waterproof suit issued in the days before Gore-Tex. There were two distinct patterns: Suit - Noisy, and Suit - Hot & Noisy. The first had taped seams, press stud fastening and was of a brightly coloured DPM material; the second was fully rubberised and more subdued with more sensible velcro fastenings. Anyone with any sense managed to blag the far superior (and only slightly less noisy) Suit - Foul Weather RAF. Thankfully obsolete, though I still wear my MkII jacket for dogging.

Due to the amazingly loud rustling noises generated by these garments, it was well nigh impossible (at least for some people) to keep in step while marching. As such, a platoon wearing these could reduce any drill instructor to tears within minutes.

DPM Headwear

A (thankfully) limited range of millinery, the use of DPM on everyday head wear never really took off. The 'Cap, Combat, DPM' - or Jap Hat, Crap Hat, DILAC Hat - is but only a distant memory, though THEY (and sprogs at ATR) still use it. The 'Cap, Cold Weather, DPM' (or Dangerous Brian Hat) is still in use, and the jungle hat is enjoying a renaissance - albeit in desert pattern.

DPM Flying Jacket

'Jacket, Aircrew, Combat'. Introduced in the mid-1970s, this jacket was designed to be worn in conjunction with braced DPM cold-weather aircrew over-trousers, worn over the olive green flying suit. Of superior design and finish to any other smock since the '66 pattern jacket, this jacket featured a spring or padded pen pocket, Velcro cuff- and neck-fastenings, lower bellows pockets with taped buttons, zipped slash-type chest pockets and a integral hood stowed in a zipped neck pocket. Earlier jackets were fully-lined, whereas the more recent issues are only half-lined. This is undoubtedly a very smart and desirable item of kit.

The trousers have a multitude of pockets, mostly in places readily accessible to people who spend their lives sitting down.

Flying Jacket

From ARRSEpedia

Flying jackets come in two distinct flavours - one distinctly more ally than the other.

Jacket Aircrew Combat Temperate Mk2A

Introduced in the mid-1970s, this smock was designed to be worn in conjunction with braced DPM cold weather aircrew over-trousers - worn over the olive green flying suit.

Of superior design and finish to any other smock since the '66 pattern jacket, this jacket features a springed or padded pen pocket, Velcro cuff and neck fastenings, lower bellows pockets with taped buttons, zipped slash-type chest pockets, two internal breast pockets and a integral hood stowed in a neck pocket. Earlier jackets were fully-lined, whereas the more recent issues are only half-lined. A very smart and desirable item of kit.

NSN 8415-99-130-0568

Jacket Aircrew Cold Weather Mk3

One half of the Suit Aircrew Cold Weather ensemble, these current issue aircrew issue jackets are manufactured from shower proof gabardine, lined with ventile fabric and interlined with insulating nylon mesh fabric. The design of the jacket is such that whilst providing a high degree of warmth it is not restrictive and thus cannot impede freedom of movement.

Closure of the jacket is by means of a full-length zip fastener which when closed is covered by a button over storm flap. A large collar fitted with a closure tab provides warmth and reduces heat loss from the neck aperture, a zip fastening compartment on the back of the collar contains the drawcord fastening hood.

The wrists have velcro fastening adjusters and a waist drawstring further improves the jacket's heat retention properties. An adjustable crotch strap is designed to provide additional protection for the lumber and seat areas in a survival situation. Other features include two large zip-fastening breast pockets, a cushioned 'non-FOD' sleeve pen pocket and a front-affixed D ring for the attachment of an oxygen feed pipe clip or (usually) ID tag.

NSN 8415-99-130-1231