kamouflage.net camouflage data

Hero of the Soviet Union Ruslan Aushev, seen here with his regiment in Ussirisk, is a well-known Russian veteran of Afghanistan. The advantage of disruptive patterns over solid colours should be obvious, in this picture. [Image: Leonid Yakutin.]

1988 3-TsV camouflage, green base
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

In 1981, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics introduced a new three-colour camouflage uniform (трёхцветная камуфлированная одежда, trans. tryokhtsvetnaya kamuflirovannaya odezhda, TTsKO) for use by the Soviet airborne forces (Russian: Воздушно-десантные войска, trans. Vozdushno-desantnyye voyska, VDV) and land forces (Russian: Сухопутные войска, trans. Sukhoputnyye voyska). The new combat uniform was unlike any previous Soviet camouflage design, comprising thick black-green and narrower, meandering brown elements on a lighter brown or green background.

In 1988, another version of the three-coloured camouflage (трёхцветный камуфляж, trans. tryokhtsvetnyy kamuflyazh, 3-Ts) was issued to the armed forces of the Soviet Union. Like its predecessor, it comprises three colours — thick black-green and narrower, meandering brown elements on a lighter brown or green background, although less of the background colour is visible in the 1988 3-Ts than in the 1981 3-Ts.

Until recently, most collectors assumed that the different base colours of the 1981 3-Ts camouflage pattern were due to variations in manufacture. It is now apparent, however, that the green-based 3-Ts camouflage — shown here — was intended for use in forest environments, as was the so-called 'lime', or 'lowlands' ERDL pattern; while the brown-based 3-Ts was intended for use in mountainous and arid terrains, much like the 'brown', or 'highlands', ERDL pattern.

camouflage data