What the #$%^ # 2

Another unknown in my collection.

It is not Australian, as far as I know, but it came with the Australia tape, which I have removed.  No other tags or stampings.
It is cut like the US ERDL Combat shirts used in VN , but made of HBT material, not  ripstop material ;  most likely a commercial item.
It has Velcro fasteners on the pockets which would indicate 70s- 80s vintage. The  pattern is unknown to me.

Anyone have any input ?

Until the widespread introduction of Auscam in 1988, Australian SF units wore whatever camouflage the individual operators could obtain - this looks like this could have been one example. The 'Australia' tape definitely isn't Australian made and looks to be SE Asian. As for the camo - looks to be a Thai variety but they don't usually print on herringbone (in my experience) and definitely wouldn't have the velcro - so a bit of a enigma. I'm also leaning towards it being a commercial garment.

Thanks for your response.

The source for this shirt claimed it came from an Australian Viet Nam Veteran.
The presence of Velcro would make this claim unlikely,IMHO...

It is probably Asian made, but who really knows ?   Velcro AND HBT together only deepens the mystery...

I haven't seen anything like that, but with the huge amount of oddball things being made these days... I'd hesitate to call it anything real. Just saw a set of German WW2 Splinter in ACU cut

However, Rip... how long ago did you get this? The HBT cloth makes me think South Korean. The OG-107 style buttons is also a South Korean favorite. My guess is this was made in South Korean for the commercial market.

Steve

Hey Steve,

As with most of my collection, I acquired this shirt in the 80s.

Cool enough, but just as you say, most likely a commercial item.

I have seen and herd that adviser also wore native units camouflage, also SF wore US and local made camo and Australian camo uniforms, so it might not be a fake would explain the Australia patch

Australia for a period wore ERDL, this is loosely based on ERDL so wouldn't have stood out.

It is the Iraqi pattern
http://vonstuckcamouflage.free.fr/iraq.php
Commercial South Korea build, I think
Gilles

Great detective work Gilles, 

Have been trying to figure out what this pattern was for years !!!

It is obviously the same pattern as the Iraqi set on your website, just a different cut.

Funny thing is that the Australia tape was glued , not sown above the top of the pocket.

Thanks for clearing up this mystery. Best regards,  Sal.

PS Have you seen my What the ???? post ?

Damn! I knew that cloth looked familiar Thanks Gilles.

BTW, gluing badges is a very common South Korean commercial practice. This is seen very often on "veteran's uniforms". I'm sure Gilles has plenty of them as well.

OK, sounds like we're all in agreement that this is commercial South Korean. Probably made from surplus fabric from an Iraqi contract. Now the question is if it is a fantasy piece or if an Australian (possibly SF) purchased it for his own use while in the service of a branch of the Australian military.

Steve