Custom Tailored Lizard Set

Ok, this one is a little bit of a mystery to me. I bought it mainly because it was cool, and it fits but it is otherwise unknown to me. Seems to be a commercial variant of French lizard, one which I have seen available on Goretex jackets that were bought on a unit-basis in the 1990's, but never issued (I have one of these floating around somewhere). The set itself was custom tailored, seems to be taken down from a copy of a TAP 47/56 (label says size 104, but I can tell you it is closer to a 92). I have seen one photo of such a set being worn by an actor during the film made about Operation Turquoise, but alas have no other information. The seller claimed the suit was tailored in Bosnia, but I feel that this might have been a bit late for something like this to have been made. It was clearly used, and one can make out the outline of breast insignia in the proper place. It has some strange features too, like the short-cut sleeves, which seem to me to be more appropriate for a place that is hot most of the time (I know the Balkans can be hot, but more likely in Africa?) . Also, front closure is one big strip of Velcro? Anyone seen anything like this???

Hello G...

Leave it to you to find something like this.

Whatever it is, it is quite cool. Glad it fits. This would make for a great mercenary impression..

Biafra ?? Belgian affreux ??

S

Hi,

You can see various Lizard Camo set, during Bob Denard Coup in the Comores Islands in 1995:

http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2012/05/29/bob-denard-sur-france-o-retour-sur-le-sultan-blanc-des-comor.html
http://www.habarizacomores.com/2013/04/coup-detat-dejoue-confirmation-de.html

Same thing in 2008 in Anjouan:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4um1c_exclusif-l-armee-comorienne-a-pris_news

F1/F2 + TAP style cuts.

Last Leopard uniformes used by the French, are ECWS style parka (alongside classic Woodland and Salik camo parka): end of the 80s / beginning of the 90s.



Regards

Mellon

Thanks Sal, it is indeed cool and I have actually been lusting at it for some time, finally bit the bullet, so to speak.

Yes, the Francofile lizard camo uniforms have had quite a bit of discussion about them, the majority of them are in the F1 cut, and went to various nations throughout Africa.

However, this uniform is distinctly different from those manufactured. It is a distinctly different pattern, which you are correct, is the same as the ECWS cut that they used in the 90s (I believe that these were private purchase or unit purchase only, though. I have one in storage and the tag is decidely un-military.) It is possible that this was the same manufacturer, and without a doubt my set is not issue. I am just wondering if anyone has seen something like it actually used.

Here is one photo of what you are talking about:



And hard to tell, but this may be a TAP cut?