WINDPROOFS 

During the 1980's there was two main types of windproofs, the Mark 1 and Mark 2.  Both are similar in design and appearance but are in fact two different materials.  To complicate matters even more both the Mk.1 and Mk.2 come in different variations all based on the same design but vary in small details.

'68 pattern Windproof

SMOCK, COMBAT (WINDPROOF ARTIC)
TROUSERS, COMBAT (WINDPROOF ARTIC)

The Mark 1 windproof set consists of a Smock and trousers, is also referred to as the '68 pattern windproof due to it using the similar DPM pattern as the 1968 pattern  Combats.  Several versions of the windproof were produced the most common one being referred to as the 'Marine Pattern' and the most sought after the 'SAS' version.  

Both are similar in design and the only real difference between the smocks is that the SAS pattern does not have the wire stiffener in the hood and is missing a rank slide from the back. 

The SAS trousers have buttons instead of the normal zip and have a cross over waist band strap.  The labels will only be in "SIZE" sizing. 

The Mk.1 or '68 pattern windproof was made of a Poplin material that was shower proof and tended to dry fast, so became a desirable item to obtain and wear by squaddies in the late 1980's and was considered 'Ally' with the SAS versions being 'Super Ally'.

	Hood in the up position.
	Smock and trouser labels

'85 pattern Windproof

SMOCK, COMBAT (WINDPROOF ARTIC)
TROUSERS, COMBAT (WINDPROOF ARTIC)

The Mark 2 windproof is also referred to as the   '85 pattern again due to its usage of the '84 pattern DPM colour variation.  As the Mk.1 it also comes in several versions referred to as Marine or SAS and is made of a Ventile material.  The main difference between the '68 and '85 is that the latter has a Field Dressing pocket on the right sleeve  and the '68 is a softer more squash-able material than the Mk.2.  Just to confuse matters the trousers have a similar Field Dressing pocket on the right leg so it can be easily mistaken for the '68 pattern.  The label will only be in NATO size.

	Hood in the up position.
	Labels

 

WATERPROOFS

In the mid 1970's a set of Olive waterproofs were introduced which was worn over the uniform. These were later replaced in the early 1980's by a similar design but in DPM. Of the DPM waterproofs there are to my knowledge only two types; Early pattern and Late pattern both consisting of a Smock and trousers, also referred to at '68 Pattern and '85 Pattern respectively. Both types are uncomfortable to wear when carrying out physical work as they tended to make the wearer sweat. The army in an effort to make the later '85 waterproofs more resistant to chemicals decided to add to the soldiers discomfort by adding a thin lining of rubber to the inside of the smock and trousers.

Early Pattern or '68 Pattern

SMOCK, MAN'S, WATERPROOF (DP)
TROUSERS, MAN'S, WATERPROOF (DP)

The early pattern waterproof is made of a crushable material that is waterproofed on the inside and is identifiable from the later '84 pattern by its lightness and Brownish DPM colour.

 

Late pattern or '85 pattern

late pattern waterproofs are made of a PVC material again waterproofed on the inside but in the darker DPM of the '85 pattern.  Of the '85 pattern waterproof there was a second type lined with Polychloroprene to help guard against chemicals which really only added to the soldiers discomfort when engaged in physical work. 

Picture to come

 

Reversible

SMOCK, COMBAT (REVERSIBLE, OLIVE DRAB/WHITE)
TROUSERS, COMBAT (REVERSIBLE, OLIVE DRAB/WHITE)

Mainly issued to Royal Marines, Para's and other artic trained troops,. The reversible water proof was designed for use in artic conditions by being olive on one side and white on the reverse. This enabled troops in artic conditions to only ever need to carry one set of waterproofs. There are several variations all made to the same pattern, differing only in small detail but essentially all the same.

Picture to follow

 

COLD WEATHER 

Cold Weather Parka

PARKA, MAN'S (COLD WEATHER)

The Cold Weather (CW)  parker is commonly referred to as the '68 Parka due to it being made from '68 pattern material and stayed unchanged in design  until the 1990's. The parka comes with a quilted wire lined hood and a removable quilted liner.  On its front it has four large pockets, two on the chest and two at the waist. Post 1980's variants seems to be made of the later '84 pattern material and only have the two chest pockets, the lower two removed so as to be used with webbing.

Parka shown with hood up. Also shown being worn are the CW Gloves.	Parka label
	Liner label.

Cold Weather Gloves

This Cold Weather  gloves are of a mitten design with a strip of material as an optional trigger finger. They are fleece lined with the outer material of DPM. Early ones are made from '68 pattern material with later ones being of '85 pattern. 

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Cold Weather quilted suit

LINER, EXTREME COLD WEATHER JACKET
LINER, EXTREME COLD WEATHER TROUSERS

LINER, COMBAT SMOCK

The cold weather suit is more commonly know as the 'MAO' or 'Chinese fighting suit' due to its appearance when worn to Chinese troops.  It consists of a olive quilted jacket and quilted trousers. These are designed to be worn under or over the uniform.  The trousers are made with a zip two thirds the way up the outer side of the trouser leg to facilitate its easy removal.

A additional quilted Liner for use with the '68 pattern jacket was also made of the same material as the extreme Cold Weather suit and was of a waste coat design, and was designed to be worn under the '68 pattern jacket.

	Combat Smock Liner
	Cold weather  Trousers label	Cold weather Jacket label	Combat Liner Label

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Cold Weather Cap

The cold weather cap has a '68 pattern material outer with a quilted liner and fleeced lined flaps and is lined with the same quilted material as the MAO suit.  later variants from post 1980's are made out of '84 pattern material or later Ripstop material and the fleece lined flaps are more chunky in appearance.