Estonian 1st type digital desert uniform

Estonian 1st type digi camo uniform.  

This uniform is cut just like the last Estonian amoeba TTsKO type uniform and is made of ripstop cloth.

Somewhat curious that following 2nd type is not made of ripstop cloth , but  following types 3 and 4 are.







                                                                                                                               


                                                                                                                              


S

Amazing find, all badged up as well! The buttons are certainly peculiar.

Thanks..

Buttons on this one are identical to the 2nd type's buttons.



S

Do you know the differences between the four types off the top of your head? This one and I believe the fourth one are the only I can really differentiate

Here's what I think..

2nd type is the only type with national flag sown below Velcro patch panel; all other types have national flag sown above patch  panels.  It is made of non ripstop cloth and has exposed pocket buttons.  

Not certain if any of the following types were also made in non ripstop cloth.

I believe 3rd types have a smaller velcro square panel sown to both arm pockets ; 4th types have a larger Velcro panel on each arm pocket.

This of course, is my simplistic quick way to differentiate types from one another and it  is only my opinion. I dont (yet) have all the different types to be completely certain.  

And of course there are other differences, like buttons , cloth , even different colors, etc.

I have ripstop trousers dated 2010 with concealed Canadian type buttons . I think it is a 3rd type.      The soldiers in the photo  seem to be wearing  type 3 to me.

Info/opinions are welcome.


S

Ooo... that's a beauty!  Rare as heck and in unissued condition.  Badging is tough to get as well.  You did well

Rip has some pretty good rules of thumb to go by.  Here is my quick overview of the digital desert uniforms with guaranteed ID features in bold:

1st Model, 1st Pattern - what Rip posted above. FOUR POCKET, SINGLE FLAP ARM POCKET
2nd Model, 2nd Pattern - high poly count smooth cloth in slash pocket cut.  EXPOSED BUTTONS
3rd Model, 2nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd, but better smooth cloth.  COVERED BUTTONS
4th Model, 2nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd/3rd, but ripstop cloth.  RIPSTOP (if you can see the details) + MORE RED IN BASE COLOR + VELCRO SQUARE

Velcro on the arms can play a role in identification, but as with all things Estonian "it isn't that simple" Full pocket velcro (rectangle) is 3rd Model by default, upper pocket area velcro (square) is 4th Model unless it is a UBACS.

Remember also that Estonians field modded their uniforms a lot so present of velcro could be field applied.  That can confuse things right there.

But more importantly, the 3rd Model appears to have come in two forms:

1.  No factory applied velcro at all (I have pictures confirming this)
2.  Rectangular velcro that covers pretty much the entire pocket (2007 in my collection)

The non-velcro type makes it possible to confuse it with 2nd Model as the two are otherwise identical unless you can see the pocket flaps. But I don't think there is a 3rd Model with square velcro like the 4th Model, so there is that.

Next, we have the existence of several UBACS that had square velcro, no velcro, or a combo.  Might be even more variations, I don't know.  So always look around for signs of a UABCS to rule that out.

The none vs. rectangular vs. square velcro is more confusing in the temperate world, so let's not go there

As for the photo... I'd guess 4th model.  Colors seem to be going in that direction and the velcro patches seem consistent with it.  But honestly I can't tell!

Steve

Great find S. I would say that has some holy grail touch!

Still need some digi estonian stuff....Without its no fun for a collector.

Steve,

Great to have these conversations; thanks for your input..

Let's keep it going. Definitely not a boring pattern.


Alex, pretty much in HG territory; at least for me. Last time there was a chance at one of these ( that I know of ) was 3 years ago and then it was only the blouse..

You need some..



S

CollectinSteve wrote:Ooo... that's a beauty!  Rare as heck and in unissued condition.  Badging is tough to get as well.  You did well

Rip has some pretty good rules of thumb to go by.  Here is my quick overview of the digital desert uniforms with guaranteed ID features in bold:

1st Model, 1st Pattern - what Rip posted above. FOUR POCKET, SINGLE FLAP ARM POCKET
2nd Model, 2nd Pattern - high poly count smooth cloth in slash pocket cut.  EXPOSED BUTTONS
3rd Model, 2nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd, but better smooth cloth.  COVERED BUTTONS
4th Model, 2nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd/3rd, but ripstop cloth.  RIPSTOP (if you can see the details) + MORE RED IN BASE COLOR + VELCRO SQUARE

Velcro on the arms can play a role in identification, but as with all things Estonian "it isn't that simple"  Full pocket velcro (rectangle) is 3rd Model by default, upper pocket area velcro (square) is 4th Model unless it is a UBACS.

Remember also that Estonians field modded their uniforms a lot so present of velcro could be field applied.  That can confuse things right there.

But more importantly, the 3rd Model appears to have come in two forms:

1.  No factory applied velcro at all (I have pictures confirming this)
2.  Rectangular velcro that covers pretty much the entire pocket (2007 in my collection)

The non-velcro type makes it possible to confuse it with 2nd Model as the two are otherwise identical unless you can see the pocket flaps.  But I don't think there is a 3rd Model with square velcro like the 4th Model, so there is that.

Next, we have the existence of several UBACS that had square velcro, no velcro, or a combo.  Might be even more variations, I don't know.  So always look around for signs of a UABCS to rule that out.

The none vs. rectangular vs. square velcro is more confusing in the temperate world, so let's not go there

As for the photo... I'd guess 4th model.  Colors seem to be going in that direction and the velcro patches seem consistent with it.  But honestly I can't tell!

Steve

To be historically correct, the sequence should be renamed.

1st Model, 1st Pattern - what Rip posted above. FOUR POCKET, SINGLE FLAP ARM POCKET
2nd Model, 2nd Pattern - pink / purple high poly count smooth cloth in slash pocket cut. EXPOSED BUTTONS

2nd Model, 3nd Pattern - high poly count smooth cloth in slash pocket cut. EXPOSED BUTTONS
3rd Model, 3nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd, but better smooth cloth. COVERED BUTTONS
4th Model, 3nd Pattern - same cut as 2nd/3rd, but ripstop cloth. RIPSTOP (if you can see the details) + MORE RED IN BASE COLOR + VELCRO SQUARE

Thanks for the update.  2nd mode,l 3rd pattern is the one that had me confused.

What makes you confused?

Not confused anymore, but the similarities of 2nd model, second pattern and 2nd model, 3 pattern did have me confused.

In fact, it would be to create a common system with these names and things. Because no one in Estonia researched these things either.

I agree we need a system that we can all understand. Soldiers , and non collectors usually don't care about nomenclature and model numbers..