by Spañiard Sat Nov 19, 2011 10:56 pm
P.S. The combat hat introduced in the early 1960s was withdrawn in the late 1970s only to be reintroduced a few years later.
The subdued branch cap badge is worn.
The CF Combat uniform (known as Combats) is common to all three Elements, there are, however, specialised environmental or protective articles such as flight suits or AFV crew suits. Combats were introduced into Regular Force service in 1963. Reserves were not issued the uniform until 1972, although they were permitted to wear it. Until then, individual Reservists purchased used Combat from army surplus stores.
The Combat uniform consisted of a Hat, Parka, Coat, Shirt, Trousers and Boots. Several variant patterns of each exist. With the exception of the parka, the uniform was intended to be cleaned by washing, and was not to be ironed. Dry cleaning or ironing resulted in melted fabric or some spectacular shades of pink uniforms. The coat and shirt breast pockets are distinctive, as they are slanted. These were intended to fit a 20 round FN C1 rifle magazine, however soldiers quickly discovered that a can of beer or a package of king size cigarettes fit perfectly. Additional magazines were carried in loops inside the waist pockets. Initially, Combat was intended to be worn exclusively in the field or on operations. Soldiers were prohibited from wearing it in many public places or on public transportation.
The initial pattern of Combat introduced in 1963 was replaced by a Mark II Pattern in the early 1970s. Both patterns were in wear concurrently until supplies of the early pattern were exhausted. The Mark II Combat shirt was similar in design to the first pattern, but the shirt had a drawstring at the waist.
A Mark III pattern shirt was adopted in the mid 1980s. Issued in relatively limited numbers, it was worn concurrently with the Mark II shirts. The Mark III was not successful and by the early 1990s had virtually dissappeared.
http://mpmuseum.org/securcombat.html