CF: Tan MkII Lightweight Combat Coat

[Conker]

Hello,

I grabbed that jacket a while ago in a surplus. Didn't really know what it was other than "damn I didn't even know these existed" and didn't want it to end up being ruined as a paint suit



While there is little info on them, this website (link) does provide some basics:

With the increasing deployment of Canadians in desert or arid environments, trials of lightweight field uniforms were begun in the 1980s. Several patterns of desert tan combat uniforms were produced and issued in relativly small numbers in the late 1980s through the early 1990s. In addition, a small quantity of British Desert DPM jackets and trousers were purchased and issued to Canadians in the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM)between 1991 and 1993.

Four patterns of desert combat uniforms were produced, Types A, B, C and D. Each type consisted of a shirt and trousers, all conforming in pattern to the standard OG 107 Mk II Combat uniform. These uniforms differed only in colour and material. Issued for trials in Canada and Somalia, user responses were generally negative. It was generally felt that the uniforms were too heavy and hot for daytime wear in arid regions. What began as a good idea was shelved for operational use, but trials and prototypes for new desert uniforms continued through the 1990s culminating with the introduction of the Arid Regions CADPAT uniform in 2003.

All insignia worn on these uniforms were the standard patterns as worn on the green combat uniform. NCO rank insignia was usually worn on the green combat brassard on both arms.

In addition to the shirts and trousers, a tan combat jacket with removable liner was produced. As well, suede desert boots were acquired from American sources. These were immediately popular and became a standard issue item for future operations.

I had been told they have also been used early on in Afghanistan, in a very limited fashion, before arid CADPAT was issued. I have however not been able to verify this information.

Does anyone have any additional information or, even better, pictures of them during trials? Despite heavy Google'ing... still haven't found anything.

Cheers

[Conker]

Great stuff, thanks! I tried searching for Canadian Airborne Regiment, Somalia, etc... but kept getting back to the whole infamous events/scandal... these pics give me some pointers.

And now that you post these about Apollo, I'm thinking you're probably the one that mentionned PPCLI a while ago :P

[Armyissue]

The Pants were issued in Tans as well and there were ( That I've seen ) Two different textiles used for different versions. The CF members complained about Grass Stains never coming out of the pants.
When we went into A-Stan with the new TW Cadpat Nick from Central Sports offered to sell the Army back the Uniforms they had recently Unloaded to the Surplus Market. That caused a big stink in the Papers. lol. They are extremely popular as they are Canadian Made Tan Cargo Pants in Quick dry. But you'd be hard pressed to find many anymore.

OG 107 refers to the uniform Colour not the cut Olive Green 107

What Size is the Shirt?

[Conker]

Size is 6746, Type B. Manufactured in 1991.

You're absolutely right about OG-107, I had that in mind for whatever reason but that's wrong.

[Porkchop]

I have a set in tan as well, as well as trousers in a slighty green pattern

The greener ( almost an AfrikaKorps colour) trousers read:
CA-15803
Trousers, Combat, L/W, MK III
359078415TC Type A 7340
Size Long Large
Height: 70.0 to 72-1/2
Waist: 35.6-39.5
NATO SIZE: 8590 9000
September 1990

The tan trousers read:
CA-15803
Trousers, Combat, L/W, MK III
359078415TC Type B 7344
Size Long X-Large
Height: 70.0 to 72-1/2
Waist: 39.5-43.5
NATO SIZE: 8590 0010
September 1990

The shirt seems to have an Arab name tag on the left breast
It reads:
9X
Made in Canada
CA 04544

Normally, I'd say that it was made for the civilian market but the Tanzanian shirts from about 10 years earlier ( ca 1978-1980) have the same labelling.
I wonder if there was another contract for Tanzania made by peerless in the same colour as the Gulf war shirts.

[Armyissue]

I saw a set that was the same Tan but the material was a softer surface more cotton, more like the Brit Material.

[Jbone 11 11]

I used to have a set of Tan trousers I bought from a surplus store down town T.O. back in '98-'99. They were definitely issued to someone IN Somalia....I know this for a fact as I found 3000 Somali shillings in the right hand leg pocket....still got the shillings....sadly I wore the hell out of those pants. Wish I had few more pairs!

[Conker]

Just saw that on DSTAC: http://www.dstactical.com/product_in...oducts_id=3379

My jacket feels much like the OG jacket.

[Jbone 11 11]

Unfortunately the CF large is too big

[Danke]

Originally Posted by Conker

Just saw that on DSTAC: http://www.dstactical.com/product_in...oducts_id=3379

My jacket feels much like the OG jacket.

Hmm, will be there on Saturday.

[noneck11]

These tan uniforms were also issued to the RCMP in Afghanistan. We each got 4 sets.

[Conker]

They were? I thought it was the flightsuits?

[noneck11]

Nope, top and bottoms in tan. Same cut as my CF CADPAT Cbts. If you look at some of the cbt camera pics of Afghanistan with RCMP mbrs, you'll see the guys wearing them. Most of us never wore the cbt shirts and used OTW shirts instead. As a result the pants got bleached lighter than the shirts and you had a two affect to your uniform.

[Brit ter]

There was also a three seasons combat coat made !

[Conker]

Cool stuff. It's news to me! Thanks for the info.