9 replies to this topic

[imherms300ipms]

Hi,

When I first got this, I thougth this was a vietnam war era ground troops variable body armor but when I looked at the label, its post vietnam dated, 1979 actually. I assumed then that its just a post vietnam manufacture of the same thing. When I compared it to the VN era pictures (since I don't have a VN era variable body armor), it's noticeably shorter - much like the lenght of the aircrew body armor. I did some research and found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this? Is this a completely different armor or just a modified version? and was this actually issued to troops on a large scale prior to the issuance of the PASGT, since the label states it as experimental?
Thanks in advance.






Hermie

[imherms300ipms]

No info? http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/crying.gif http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/crying.gif

Hermie

[Bob Hudson]

I've changed the title to add the word "experimental" in hopes that might attract some more attention. I have never seen nor heard of variable body armor, so I'm not help....

[Varangian]

Google is your friend. First hit on a search for "variable armor":

http://www.vietnamge...kit.aspx?kit=31

To mods: Recommend we sticky the Vietnamgear.com site here somewhere; they have everything....

[imherms300ipms]

Hi Mr administrator, I think the change of title is better, Thank you. http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif


Hi Varangian, Thanks for the reply. I already checked the vietnam gear site. The pictures posted there are vietnam era variable body armor which is different from what I have and the subtopic telling the history of the chicken plate armor did not say anything about post vietnam production or modifications. http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/crying.gif

Hermie

[Varangian]

I think the ones you're looking at on the internet are long sizes. Here's a Vietnam-era large regular, same length as yours, I see no differences in design nor construction.





What is different about yours is that it does not mention "nylon felt" construction, and is made by PACA...possibly it's a kevlar variation?

Edited by Varangian, 02 August 2008 - 02:16 PM.

[imherms300ipms]

Yeah, you're right! The lenght is definitely the same and yours is a Vietnam era. And I guess you're right also that the variation is not in the size or construction of the outer appearance but what's inside or the type of ballistic material used that's why its labelled as experimental. This is great! Thanks a lot, man, your input is greatly appreciated. http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif

and btw, your variable body armor is in a very good shape.


Hermie

[Varangian]

Workin' fo da peeps.

That armor's not mine; I pulled it off of Epay. Somebody took it outside and shot it, and was selling it as "used"... http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbdown.gif

[B229]

Hi,

When I first got this, I thougth this was a vietnam war era ground troops variable body armor but when I looked at the label, its post vietnam dated, 1979 actually. I assumed then that its just a post vietnam manufacture of the same thing. When I compared it to the VN era pictures (since I don't have a VN era variable body armor), it's noticeably shorter - much like the lenght of the aircrew body armor. I did some research and found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this? Is this a completely different armor or just a modified version? and was this actually issued to troops on a large scale prior to the issuance of the PASGT, since the label states it as experimental?
Thanks in advance.



Hermie

NARADCOM is the Natick Army Research And Development Command, and note the NSN: Experimental Natick 79-1. Probably a development item from on-going body armor test and evaluation.

[1st.marine.captain.17]

Hi,

When I first got this, I thougth this was a vietnam war era ground troops variable body armor but when I looked at the label, its post vietnam dated, 1979 actually. I assumed then that its just a post vietnam manufacture of the same thing. When I compared it to the VN era pictures (since I don't have a VN era variable body armor), it's noticeably shorter - much like the lenght of the aircrew body armor. I did some research and found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this? Is this a completely different armor or just a modified version? and was this actually issued to troops on a large scale prior to the issuance of the PASGT, since the label states it as experimental?
Thanks in advance.






Hermie

Ground Troops Variable Body Armor, the thing is bullet proof with plate insert. Issued to troops in 1969, but it was complained heavy and cumbersome. That's all I can tell.