What Vallejo colours do you use for painting British lightweight green trousers that were popular in the army during the '70's & '80's?
Thanks for your help.

Joe.

Not sure on the paint codes but the colour was olive green which faded very fast due to ironing. I can remember seeing some which where almost two tone, darker on the inside leg and lighter more faded on the outside. Just so that you know these trousers were part of the working dress and not allowed to be used on op's and exercises as they were nylon and melted really well. This restriction might of came in after the Falklands conflict back in 1982 due to the horific burns that were encountered. Certainly during my time in the Army 1989-2001 we were never allowed to use them on exercise or op's.

HTH

Dan

Hi Dan,
Yeah, I remember them well...erm, only in the...erm...cadets though. Sshh!
I'm trying to put together some sort of "uniform" worn by SAS troops in Oman back in the early '70's to go with my Tamiya SAS Pink Panther.
From the limited photographic evidence taken in theatre it would appear that the soldiers were wearing those green lightweights.
Any ideas?

Joe.

Hi Joe,

I think the early OG trousers were made from a denim type of material or a light weight cotton, Tamiya NATO Green is probably not too far from the colour and a good base to start with fella.


Dan

Dan,

This restriction was introduced during the time I was serving in Northern Ireland (1981-83). It was introduced because of the number of petrol bombs being encountered in rioting associated with the Hunger Strike campaign, as you rightly say due to burns caused by the polyester/nylon mix the TMLs were made from melting to the legs.

For street patrols in Belfast we were ordered to wear OG denim trousers (as issued with tropical/jungle kit prior to the general introduction of lightweight DPM jungle combat dress). The OGs were better than lightweights, as they were heavy cotton denim & smouldered rather than melted when in contact with flames, were more roomy in the seat & legs so enabled easier movement & best of all, didn't need ironing!
Some still tailored them to within an inch of their lives though...
The OGs faded to a light greyish-green with frequent washing just like TMLs, but I never saw a pair with the two-tone ironed look - Yes, I had a pair of TMLs that were like that!

Quick trip down memory lane there.....
Chris