kamouflage.net camouflage data

Uncover your potential', indeed! Once you stop ogling the girl, though, you might notice that this Australian Special Air Service (SAS) recruiting poster shows Australian Disruptive Pattern Camouflage to very good effect. [Image courtesy Brad Turner collection.]

South Africa Police 2nd pattern camouflage
Republic of South Africa

The South African Police (SAP) 1st pattern camouflage was introduced in 1968. There is no evidence to suggest that SAP 1st pattern camouflage was discontinued at the time SAP 2nd pattern camouflage was introduced. It is therefore possible that the two camouflage patterns were used more-or-less interchangeably after 1976, until 1st pattern stocks were depleted.

The SAP 2nd pattern camouflage is a rather interesting three-colour camouflage pattern, comprising medium green mimetic elements and red earth disruptive elements on a desert pink background. The green and red earth panels were printed using rollers of different sizes, which introduces a random factor into the density of the design.

SAP 1st and 2nd pattern camouflage uniforms were also produced in Rhodesia, during the Bush War, and some examples of uniforms can be found with off-cuts of Rhodesian camouflage cloth used to line pockets, waist bands, and so on.

Both SAP patterns were generally discontinued in 1995, when all previously issued South African camouflage was abandoned in favour of the 'Soldier 2000' design. The SAP patterns have been retained by the South African Police High Risk Unit, however.

kamouflage.net is grateful to Riaan Rossouw, Eric H. Larson and Mike Coleman, for their invaluable contributions to this article.

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