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    Mitchell "vine leaf" reversible camo

    Gaust
    Gaust
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    Location : Portland, OR
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    Post by Gaust Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:11 pm

    Does anyone have information on the Mitchell camouflage clothing used in Vietnam?  I just picked up a pair of pants and a jacket in reversible camouflage that, from my research, appear to be commercially made.  "Vine leaf" on one side and brown "cloud" camouflage on the other.  There are no tags, heavy cotton, cargo pockets on the pant legs, and 3 pockets on the jacket.  I'm assuming this post war commercial production by Kamo?
    CollectinSteve
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    Post by CollectinSteve Sat Oct 04, 2014 1:05 am

    Yeah, it's fairly commonly seen on eBay. All kinds of stories about them being made in theater or in the Philippines, but they look to be commercial in my opinion. I had a set a while ago and sold it.

    Steve
    Gaust
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    Post by Gaust Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:30 pm

    Thanks for the conformation. I figured it was a commercial set and the stories had no evidence to back them up.
    vintageproductions
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    Post by vintageproductions Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:29 pm

    They were also made in Okinawa in the late 1950's to the mid 1960's.


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    CollectinSteve
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    Post by CollectinSteve Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:40 am

    Thanks Bob! Any evidence at all that these were worn in Vietnam with any degree of regularity? So far I've not heard of any.

    Steve
    Gaust
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    Post by Gaust Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:52 am

    Thanks for the information!
    vintageproductions
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    Name : Bob Chatt
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    Post by vintageproductions Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:58 am

    You will see early photos of Marine Recon units and some Special Forces guys wearing them in Vietnam, but the material proved to not be very usable in Vietnam. The material didn't "breathe" and they quickly stopped wearing them.

    There were also a few experimental pieces that were tried early in Vietnam, but again they were all dropped fairly quickly.


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    Post by CollectinSteve Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:09 pm

    Yeah, that material would suck for a jungle environment. My guess is it would act like a sponge, getting wet very easily and holding the moisture. Plus, from a utilitarian standpoint the design is very bad. It's like going to war in a hoodie Very Happy

    Steve
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    Post by Gaust Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:35 pm

    The feel of the fabric is very heavy and not something I'd want to wear in a hot, wet environment. I've seen pictures of jackets with a hood. The jacket I have is the same pattern, pockets in the same location, but has no hood, just a collar. I can post some pictures if needed.

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