by CollectinSteve Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:41 pm
Cool indeed!!! This one looks like a near final CCU sample.
Here are some pics of an earlier sample that I promised weeks ago to upload. This is as good a place as any to do that
Note the pocket style and orientation. It also has an integrated recovery strap in back, so this might have been a prototype for vehicle crews or (more likely IMHO) they were exploring this as a possibility for the standard uniform. The strap feeds down through the inside back and pops out at the waist so the combat belt can be fed through it. That way when you yank on the handle at the shoulders you're in fact pulling the soldier by his belt. This would allow a soldier to drag a fallen buddy, in any orientation, out of harms way quickly. I suspect it wasn't adopted because for this to work the straps have to be very strong. Strong means thick and stiff. Likely very uncomfortable for everyday soldier use.
Other than the pockets, recovery strap, and velcro only front closure, the rest of it is remarkably like the CCU pictured above.
Steve