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Vietnam Airsoft Guide


M14

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Vietnam Airsoft Guide

This guide is mainly for people just getting into Vietnam airsoft as it is not very in depth

 

Camouflage

 

Duck Hunter / BEO GAM / Spotted

Advisors and Special Forces in the begining of the Vietnam war often wore civilian or in-country made duck hunter, BEO GAM or spotted camouflage. Since the pants in Vietnam lasted 3 times less than the shirts, the patterns were often mismatched.

 

Tiger Stripe

Like the BEO GAM camoflauge tiger stripe fatiuges were often bought and made in Vietnam as it was not a U.S. issue pattern. Tiger stripe was a popular pattern among SF units and advisors in Vietnam.

 

ERDL

Developed after World War II, the ERDL pattern consisted of four colors and even though it proved a better camouflauge than standard OG-107 fatiuges it was agreed that the OG-107 fatiuges were better for general use in Vietnam. Although the Military decided not to use the pattern, a couple hundred of them were shipped to Vietnam for evaluation. Most were used by SF units.

 

Tropical Combat

Used by the majority of soldiers in Vietnam, the tropical combat jacket and pants had a few versions, which were all very similar, but the 3rd pattern was most common.

 

Army Utility

The utility shirt with only two pockets and the pants with no cargo pockets were used in the very begining of the war by infantry soldiers.

 

 

Hats & Helmets

 

M1 Helmet

Throughout the Vietnam war, the M1 helmet was issued to almost all soldiers. Although the steel helmet would not stop a direct hit it would protect the soldier from shrapnel. The helmet consisterd of the steel outer helmet, the liner and the chin strap. Just about every soldier had a mitchell pattern helmet cover on his M1 helmet.

 

Mitchell Pattern Helmet Cover

Originally developed for the Marine Corps, the mitchell pattern cover became standard issue in Vietnam for the Army also. Unlike other helmet covers, the mitchell one was reversible with the green leaf pattern "summer" camoulage and the brown and tan "winter" camouflage on the other side.

 

USMC Rubber Helmet Band

The Marines in Vietnam were not widely issued the standard Army OD helmet band so many Marines made their own. The most common helmet bands the Marines made were from the inner tube of the M-151 "Mutt". The helmet bands were used to hold the helmet cover in place and to hold items such as incect repellant and ciggeretes on their M1 helmet.

 

Army Helmet Band

Unlike the USMC rubber helmet band, the Army one was issued to the soldiers. It was used for the same things as the Marine Corps one but was green and not made of rubber.

 

Boonie Hat

The boonie hat was popular with the soldiers in Vietnam and many soldier bought BEO-GAM and tiger stripe to replace the OD and ERDL one issued to them.

 

Boots

 

Jungle Boots

Because the normal leather combat boots rotted in the jungle very quickly the Army looked for a way to make a lightweight boot better suited for the jungle. Although jungle boots were developed before the Vietnam, the design was perfected during the war.

 

Lether Combat Boots

Before the jungle boots were widely issued, early in the war some soldier wore the leather combat boots. They rotted out very fast in the jungle.

 

Flak Vests

 

M1952A Flak Vest

The Korean war issue M1952A flak vest saw use early in Vietnam before it was replaced with later models. Although the flak vests did not stop direct hits from bullets it stopped shrapnel from hitting the soldiers vital organs.

 

M1955 Flak Vest

The Marine Corps M1955 flak vest which replaced the M1952 flak vests saw use in the Vietnam war. Although the flak vests did not stop direct hits from bullets it stopped shrapnel from hitting the soldiers vital organs.

 

 

M69 Flak Vest

The M69 flak vest was the most common one used in Vietnam and was an improvment over the M1952 and M1955 flak vests. Although the flak vests did not stop direct hits from bullets it stopped shrapnel from hitting the soldiers vital organs.

 

Rucksacks

 

M1952 Rucksack

Popular among Special Forces early in Vietnam the M1952 rucksack was an improved design over the WWII mountain rucksack.

 

ARVN Rucksack

Designed for ARVN (Army of Republic Vietnam) as a replacement for the M1945 combat field pack, the non water-resistant cotton pack proved too small and heavy.

 

Tropical Rucksack

MACV requested a nylon version of the ARVN rucksack in 1965 and the military developed one which was a little larger. Tropical rucksack began to be used in Vietnam in 1968.

 

Lightweight Rucksack

The lightweight rucksack, which had over double the capacity of the Armys buttpack, was attached to a metal frame and the packs position on the fram could be adjusted.

 

Belts & Pouches

 

M1956 Equipment Belt

The adjustable, cotton M1956 belt used a ball-hook buckle or sometimes Davis T buckle. It was used to hold pouches for ammunition or equipment.

 

M1956 Suspenders

The H style M1956 suspenders attached to the equipment belt and held it up.

 

M1956 Universal Ammunition Pouch

The cotton M1956 univeral pouch was designed to carry either 3 M14 magazines or 4 M16 magazines. Most M1956 pouches had straps on either side to hold a grenade.

 

M1956 Compass / First Aid Pouch

The M1956 pouch was often cliped to the fabric on the M1956 suspenders and held either a small first aid kit or a lenstatic compass.

 

M1956 1 Quart Canteen Cover

The cotton M1956 canteen cover held a 1 quart canteen. It also had a felt lining. Soldiers often carried spare magazines in the canteen pouch.

 

M1956 Shovel Cover

The M1956 shovel cover had clips on the back and two eyelets to attach a bayonet to it. It was made to hold M1943 or M1951 intenching tool.

 

M1967 Equipment Belt

The nylon M1967 equipment belt usually used a Davis T fastener and held pouches for ammunition and equipment.

 

M1967 Suspenders

The H style nylon M1967 suspenders had snaps on the shoulders allowing the buttpack to be worn on the back instead of on the belt.

 

M1967 20rd M16 Ammunition Pouch

The M1967 20rd M16 pouch, which was made using nylon, held four 20rd M16 magazines and also was able to hold two grenades on either side of the pouch.

 

M1967 First Aid / Compass Pouch

The M1967 compass / first aid pouch was the same design as the M1956 one, but made of nylon instead of cotton.

 

M1967 1 Quart Canteen Cover

The nylon M1967 canteen cover held a 1 quart canteen and also had a small pouch on it for water purification tablets. Soldiers often carried spare magazines in the canteen cover.

 

M1961 M14 Magazine Pouch

The USMCs M1961 pouch held one M14 magazine and had two holes on the bottom to attach either a first aid or grenade pouch. In 1964, the pouch and flap were lengthend.

 

M3 Bandoleer

The M3 bandoleer had seven pocket which soldiers in Vietnam would put 20rd M16 magazines in.

 

M60 Bandoleer

The M60 bandoleer held a cardboard box of 100 7.62mm linked rounds. The pouch could be attached to the metal hanger on the m60 and be used a "box mag".

 

M79 Bandoleer

The M79 bandoleer held 6 40mm grenades.

 

Claymore Mine Bag

The claymore mine bag was a two pocket bag, which held one claymore mine and its accesories. It was often used to carry extra magazines.

 

M911 Pouch

The cotton M1911 Poch held two .45 magazines and attached to a equipment belt.

 

M3 Pouch

The cotton 3 pocket M3 grease gun pouch held 3 M3 magazines. It attahced to a equipment belt.

 

Jungle First Aid Kit

The jungle first aid kit attahced to the equipmet belt using a wire hanger.

 

M1911 Holster

The M1911 holster held a Colt 45 pistol and was made from black leather. It used a wire hanger to attach to the equipment belt.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Insect Repellent

Often called "bug juice" the small 2 oz bottle was often carried on the M1 helmet using a helmet band. Originally in a white bottle, it was later changed to a green one.

 

Towel

The OD towel issued to soldiers was ofter carried around the neck and used to wipe sweat and dirt off their bodies.

 

Neckerchief

The neckerchief was used to wipe sweat and dirt off the soldiers bodies.

Insignia

 

101st Airborne Division

 

25th Infantry Division

 

9th Infantry Division

 

1st Airmobile Divison

 

1st Infantry Division

 

23rd Infantry Division

 

Special Forces

 

Weapons

 

M3 Grease Gun

The M3 was used by SF and soldier early in the war but later was givin more to the ARVN.

 

M2 Carbine

Weapons like the M2 carbine were often givin to ARVN forces. ARVN forces were supplied with old Korea and WWII surplus rifles.

 

M60

The army LMG at the time, the M60 saw lots of use. It was carried by soldiers as well as mounted on helicopters and vehicles.

 

M1911

The M1911 was the standard issue pistol during the Vietnam war. Many heavy weapon and high ranking soldiers carried one.

 

XM-177

The XM-177 is a shortened version of the M16. Although it was liked by SF, very few saw frontline combat.

 

M14

Originally going to become the militarys next major rifle before the M16 replaced it, the M14 was used in Vietnam but many were only used on semi auto becuase of the big calibre and light weight, on full auto the muzzle climb would become too great.

 

M79

Developed as a weapon in between a rifle grenade and a mortar, the M79 fired 40mm grenades. because of its size, any soldier using one would not be able to carry an assault weapon as well. Many different types of grenades were available such as smoke, HE, illumination and more.

 

M72 LAW

The M72 LAW (light anti-tank weapon) was a single shot disposible rock launcher which was light enough to be carried easily by a soldier.

 

Thompson M1A1

Used by some US soldeirs in the begining of the war, the M1A1s were later givin to the ARVN.

 

M6 Bayonet

The M6 bayonet attached to the M14 rifle and was carried in the M8A1 scabbard.

 

M7 Bayonet

The M7 bayonet attached to the M16 rifle and was carried in the M8A1 scabbard.

 

Smoke Grenade

The smoke grenade was used to cover movement, attacks, retreats and also to mark landing and extraction zones.

 

Grenade

Soldiers often carried many grenades and early in the war MK.II "pineapple" grenades were used but when stockpiles were used up they switches to M26A1 "lemon" grenades.

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A few things to add:

 

-The Special Forces insignia at the time consisted of the "Electric Sword" patch and an Airborne qualification tab. The Special Forces qualification tab was only introduced after the war ended.

 

-The M2 Carbine was the select-fire version of the M1. It featured a larger 30 round magazine. The M2 was used by ARVN forces and their US advisers during the early part of the war.

 

-Four versions of the AR-15 were used during the war. The first featured a 3-prong "duckbill" flash suppressor, did not have a forward assist, and used "waffle" style magazines with vertical and horizontal indentations. A few of these were sent to ARVN units and advisers for evaluation in the early part of the sixties (1961-63). The second iteration of the AR-15 was the M-16. This featured a stronger 3-prong flash suppressor, but still did not have a forward assist. The third iteration, the XM16E1, was adopted by the Army in late 1964/early 1965. It featured a forward assist, but still lacked a chromed chamber and barrel. The final iteration of the AR-15 used in Vietnam was the M16A1, featuring a chromed chamber and bore, round "birdcage" flash suppressor, and forward assist. Both Classic Army and Tokyo Marui make replicas of the XM16E1, and Marui makes an A1 replica.

 

-XM-607E1 (CAR-15 SMG): This weapon was designed by Colt for tank and AFV personnel, but was used by SEAL teams, Army SF units, and USAF K9 handlers. Based on an XM16E1 reciever, the 607 featured a 10" barrel, short triangular handguards, and a two-position retractable buttstock. Initially, the 607 used the standard 3-prong flash suppressor, but problems with recoil forced the introduction of first a 3.5 inch, and later a 4.25 inch moderator. Tokyo Marui produced a replica of the XM-607E1 which was called the "CAR-15."

 

-XM177E1 (CAR-15): The 177 series of carbines was a development of the 607 series of AR-15 carbines. Featuring a longer 11.5" barrel, and retaining the 607's 4.25" moderator, the 177 saw the introduction of the "skeleton" 4-position stock (later adapted to the 6-position stock found on the M4), and circular handguards. The reciever was that of the XM16E1. The XM177E1 saw heavy use by Special Forces, SEALs, SOG, Recondo units, and Rangers.

 

BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle, Caliber .30, M1918): The BAR was given to ARVN units by the US during the early sixties, and saw use by CIDGs until the war's end.

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There are actually three versions of the XM177 family.

XM177: 10" barrel, CAR15 flash hider and forward assist.

XM177E1: 11.5" barrel, new flash hider/grenade launcher, NO forward assist.

XM177E2: 11.5" barrel, new flash hider/grenade launcher with forward assist.

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Its good that people want to add things! We can really make this a good guide. I forgot to include the M1956 and M1961 buttpack. Basicly they were used to carry extra items the soldier needed. I made the guide very brief becuase its made more for people just getting into Vietnam airsoft and just was a nice loadout, not too much confusing info. Anyway I would like to add that the 3 prong flash hider was replaced with the closed "birdcage" one partly because the 3 prongs had a tendancy to catch on the think undergrowth of Vietnam.

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Nope, the very first magazines made for the AR-15 were AR-10 style waffle magazines. Some even found their way to RVN in the hands of advisers.

 

You also have to remember that the first AR15s to Vietnam were the civilian ones. So any mags they used were civilian bought and waffle mags were sold to civilians.

 

Also pjones, ARVN stand for Army of Republic Vietnam and the military wouldnt of sent the first batches of AR-15s for evaluation to the ARVN. They would of went to advisors and SF.

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You also have to remember that the first AR15s to Vietnam were the civilian ones. So any mags they used were civilian bought and waffle mags were sold to civilians.

 

Also pjones, ARVN stand for Army of Republic Vietnam and the military wouldnt of sent the first batches of AR-15s for evaluation to the ARVN. They would of went to advisors and SF.

 

That's what I said.

 

Some even found their way to RVN in the hands of advisers.

 

RVN = Republic of Viet Nam

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Im refering to this that you wrote.

 

Yes, that's true as well.

 

"Curtis LeMay viewed a demonstration of the AR-15 in July 1960. He immediately ordered 8,500 for defense at Strategic Air Command airbases, later rescinded by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Colt Industries also approached the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), who bought 1,000 rifles for use by South Vietnamese troops in the early summer of 1962. American special operations units and advisers working with the South Vietnamese troops filed battlefield reports lavishly praising the AR-15 and the stopping effectiveness of the 5.56 mm cartridge, and pressed for its adoption."

 

From Wiki

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The AK-47 also served as a counter to the M16 for the Vietcong.

 

And to add a little, when my grandfather served in Vietnam, he captured an AK from a vietcong and later on when his M16 jammed in a firefight, the AK saved his life.

 

Ak47 FTW yet again, I still see videos of guys using the in Iraq, normally in Marine videos.

 

Cheers,

Daniel

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Pjones,

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the frog leaf guy.

 

If you want to go outside of the AR/AK thing then you could do a Navy Seals impression with an HK33. Seals used the licence built Harrington & Richardson T223.

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Really good stuff there guys, but the title shoud read "Vietnam Airsoft Guide, for the FNG's" don't you think :D

And Tommygun, I always though the G33 would be great, but thought I'd get flamed for proposing it on Arnie's... SEALs had so many equipment, even that pump action 40mm grenade launcher. And of course, the Stoner Mk63. I've got books about the SEALs and LLRPs in Vietnam with great pictures, sadly it's 1000 km from here, safe in my house. They show guys using plenty of cool stuff, like Swedish K (can't remember the proper name ATM, they were also made under license by S&W), S&W Hush Puppies, GP35, etc. There is also that famous pic of Richard Marcinko showing an M16 (you can't see which type) with the XM148. Even rarer, in the book on LRRPs a guy has one of those GL under an XM177E2 (and a beautiful Fu Manchu moustache BTW). If I had a chance to build that in a functionning airsoft version, it could even make me buy an AR!

 

Also, note on the picture pjones posted that the ARVN troops have Garand. I think M1/M2 carbines were more for higher rank soldiers, interpretes, guides, etc.

Both ARVN and VC/PAVN used massively the MAT45 9mm french SMG, and probably MAS36 bolt action rifles, maybe MAS49 or MAS49/56 semi-auto rifles, all in french 7.5mm. The semi-auto rifle was only in limited numbers in the French Army, used mainly as a DMR with a scope, and I doubt that many found their way in North Vietnamese hands. Note also that the French Army used a lot of Garand M1, M1 carbine, BAR (the french FM24-29 wasn't widely issued anymore) actually the equipement was 50/50 between US and french made, and all those weapons were re-distributed in both North and South armies when they could not have been destroyed. Once PRC's and USSR's aid arrived, PAVN were massively equiped with SKS and -a few in comparison- AK47 - or Type 56 Carbine and Assault Rifle and the VC got the rest. Mauser rifles and Mosin-Nagant seemed to be widely used as sniper rifles (even without scopes).

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the proper name of the swedish k is Carl Gustaf Kpist m45. Carl Gustaf being the company Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori that made them, kpist means submachine gun in swedish and m45 means model 45 witch is the year the swedish army adopted it.

 

The Smith and Wesson m76 was a copy of the swedish k but looked a lot diferent

 

 

Carl Gustaf Kpist m45

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg48-e.htm

Smith and wesson m76

http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg85-e.htm

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Here's a picture of a SEAL with a Harrington and Richardson T223:

12jb9.jpg

 

SEAL with XM148 UGL:

darryl1fi6.jpg

 

And here's Colt's proposed CAR family of weapons:

m16groupcw3.jpg

Left to right: Standard 20" with HEAT rifle grenade, M605 "dissipator" with 16" barrel, survival rifle for pilots, M607 "tanker" carbine, belt fed HBAR.

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Hmm, that might be a hint. Rifle grenades use either normal cartridges or special cartridges looking like blanks, just a lot more poweful, and the forward assist is just used to lock the bolt when the rifle is dirty...

Maybe it has to do with the "blank" type of cartridges that weren't as reliable on loading? It could also interfere with the weapon's proper cycling.

Anyone has infos on rifle grenades used by the US Army at that time? I only know about the one we use nowadays, in the French Army... Quite funny to shoot, and damn accurate too!

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My guess would be the book is incorrect and they are mistaking a G3 for a 5.56 T223. Still you can't rule anything out.

 

Lord Blackgoat,

Does the French Army use ball rounds or blanks to fire rifle grenades off the FAMAS?

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AFAIK, we have both types of grenades available. I've only seen the blank cartridge type ones, but I've been told that some models are ball-trap type, using normal cartridges, where the bullet is caught by the grenade and propels it. The ones that need the special blank cartridge come with it in the box IIRC. You select the type of grenade depending on your target actually, anti personnel/anti vehicle (sort of frag) or anti vehicle only - mostly for unarmored vehicles anyway.

 

M14, sorry for the thread hijack!

 

I know that that type of propelled grenades was used during WWII with M1 Garand (as seen in Saving Pvt Ryan) and probably in Korea, but what after? Never seen a picture of it in later conflicts, the combination 40mm launchers + LAW76 seems to have replaced them. Any info on that? That could be relevant for a Vietnam loadout I think (at least an early one...)

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