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Nomenclature
SADF M83 kit (Gevegsbaadjie)
SADF M83 Battle Jacket
South African Assault Vest ( SAAV ) / Not Original
South African Assault Vest ( SAAV ) / Not Original
History
SADF M83 kit (Gevegsbaadjie)
Doukas Gaitatzis 27 August 2017
The article was first published in ANALABATE! ΑΡΜ!
From 1910, when the Union of South Africa was founded, the British, as sovereigns of the newly formed state, provided training and equipment for the small defense teams that had been set up. This situation continued (at least in the field of equipment) until the establishment of the South Africa Defense Force (SADF - South Africa Defense Force) in 1957.
Since its inception in 1957, the SADF has faced a rising tide of African nationalism, riots in all neighboring countries, and a United Nations-imposed embargo on supplies and equipment due to the racist tone of the policy. of the apartheid followed by the government of the country.
The involvement of SADF forces in the Angolan Civil War (1975-1989) and the Rhodesian War of the Shrubs (Bush War, 1964-1979), clearly demonstrated the need for specialized equipment, as the form of operations carried out, was far from the classic confrontation of two warring parties. The multi-day patrols deep in the enemy territory, in order to discover and pursue the enemy, required, primarily for the infantryman, a set of materials that would allow him to easily and comfortably transport a large volume of materials and ammunition, but also the durability of these materials in the particular conditions of the African savannah and jungle.
So, in the early 80's, it was decided to adopt a new set of atomic materials, named Pattern M83. The M83 collection, consisting of new outfits (the vest we discuss in this post and a chest outfit), backpack and anti-ballistic helmet, would replace the obsolete British Pattern 58 and Pattern 70 outfits used until then.
Many private companies manufacturing sports goods, fabrics, synthetic materials, etc. played an important role in the development of the kit. both in South Africa (SAPHI Ltd, Textcraft, C&W Ltd) and in neighboring Botswana (Specifico Ltd). Clearly influenced by the battle gear used by the Rhodesians (manufactured by the pioneering company Faradays & Sons), they came up with a comfortable, lightweight and easy-to-use model that incorporated some groundbreaking features that appeared in Western models years later.
Features
For the construction of the outfit, a nylon fabric (cordura) of 1000 degrees was used, in the characteristic color Nutria Brown. The inner side of the fabric has a polyurethane coating to better protect the materials from moisture. The outfit consists of three parts, the back part and two sides (although the shoulder straps are firmly sewn to the upper part of the back). It has two straps at the front to close it and eight straps at the back to adjust its width.
The vest or 'waistcoat' is adjustable for both height and girth, and can safely fit almost any size person from the shortest to the tallest. In stock configuration, it can carry 4 Liters of Water (2x2L buffalos) in its saddlebag pockets, 10 x 35rnd (5.56mm) R4 magazines, Browning HiPower clone and a 200rnd belt of 7.62mm with extra pockets for messkits, utility items and Firstaid Field Dressings (FFDs).
The initial loadout was as follows :
Left panel top - small Utility/FFD, two mag Pocket, Penflare slot pocket
Left Panel lower - SaddleBag/canteen carrier, two cell mag pocket, Large Utility Pocket, Hideaway pocket in vest panel.
Right panel top - small Utility/FFD, two mag Pocket, Penflare slot pocket
Right Panel lower - SaddleBag/canteen carrier, two cell mag pocket, two cell 2x1 mag pocket,
Rear Panel - Large upper pocket 200rnd belt 7.62, Smaller lower pocket Messkit.
Specification
Nomenclature
Logistics
SELECTED ARTWORKS IN THE COLLECTION
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Pouch Breast Ammu Carrying Patt 83
83 Pattern Chest Rig
Pattern 83 RPG Rockets Carry Bag
Field Pack Pattern 83
SADF M83 Field Pack + Frame / Rug Sak
This was called a "Gevegsbaadjie" by the South Africans. The fully padded mesh and canvas waistcoat-style battle-jacket has width and height adjustment capability, fully adjustable side and shoulder straps, and was developed in South Africa for the South African Defence Force in the early eighties during the bush war with Zambia, Angola and Mozambique. The vest pouches are made of tough, brown texturised nylon with twin, zip closing, rear cargo pockets, which will carry a Clansman PRC 320 Radio. Each side has huge, buckle fastening cargo pouches, eight R4/M4/AK mags, as well as grenades and ffds (first-field-dressings ) can be carried in the nine velcro closing front pouches. T are also numerous accessory loops, attachment points and a map pocket. This jacket was designed to allow the South African foot soldier to carry as much equipment as possible without over-heating in the hot, African sun and maintaining optimum maneuverability. This battle-jacket proved so successful in the hostile environment of the South African bush that it's design has since been adopted by many armies around the world.
Starting a little unorthodox, the back of the kit had a small elongated backpack, divided into two parts by a zipper. Unlike modern users who place various materials in this backpack or remove the intermediate divider to place rubber water bags, its main use by the South Africans was to transport the Clansman PRC-320 S / A (Wireless Station). At the top of the backpack there is a small opening (flap) that closes with Velcro and was intended as a passage for the antenna and the headphones of the S / A. Around the backpack body, there are a total of 6 loops for attaching various materials, such as clothing, pads and in some cases (as mentioned in the user manual) mortar shells and grenades, although the latter was not a common practice.
The split small backpack. The loops on his torso are visible. (source: Pine Survey)
On the right frame there is a large general purpose case, which closes with two Velcro. Usually a water tank was placed in this case, although some soldiers preferred to place their S / A there. At the front of the case there is a double magazine case, which has a divider inside so that the magazines do not hit each other. Continuing, we find 2 more double magazine cases (but without a divider), in which smoky grenades could be placed and just above them, a small bandage / compass case and another double magazine case, with a small elongated case sewn on the side. for flares or chemical candles (cyalume). Just above the bandage / compass case, there is a sewn loop for attaching the compass or other materials.
On the left side, the configuration is almost the same, with the only difference being the existence of another general purpose case instead of the two magazine cases and a slot between the body of the kit and the cases, where the user can place maps or other printed material.
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