A Comprehensive Breakdown of the Uniforms and Armor of The Colonial Marines from Aliens

[@AaronHorrocks]

Overall, great video with lots of gritty and welcomed details. However, there's a few inaccuracies, such as the 'M69 vest'. The M69 vest was an updated version of the earlier vietnam era body armor where the nomenclature stated: 'Armor, Body Fragmentation Protective, with 3/4 Collar', and it did not have an M-series designation. The M69, was first produced, and first issued in 1970. The most noticeable difference is the use of velcro on the flap. The M69 vest was not used in the movie Aliens, and is actually a fairly difficult vest to get hold of. I have one seen one in person, while dozens of the "3/4 collar flaks" have passed through my hands. Also, with as many of the items that I make from the movie Aliens, I'm a bit disappointed that I wasn't mentioned. I spent a fortune and a great deal of time to make the most accurate and best-built uniforms that I call 'HORPAT'. Also, I made several batches of the Short Sleeve Service Khaki shirts, and I still have a number currently in stock. These I had made from brand new USMC shirts. I also manufacture a sling adapters for the airsoft Pulse Rifle. For about the last 6 years I had been making the 'Ripley Grenade Harness', and while it's more of an item that Ripley was known for wearing, it is a piece of USCM gear. There's also a few new products that I'm working on and hope to release this year or next - but like most of the items that I make, there are other parties involvement to some degree and I can't say for certain when they'll finally be ready. facebook.com/HORPATCAMO/ facebook.com/AaronHorrocksCompany/

[@UniformHistory]

We've pinned this comment to the top and listed you in the description as a vendor. Thanks for the info, should have mentioned that the M69 is the blanket term for the series of Armor Body Fragmentation vests. Additionally we would have referenced you but when we came across your website address we got a 403 error. When we found your HORPAT Facebook page we also so it hadn't been updated in nearly a year, with those two factors we assumed you were no longer active. Hopefully this helps rectify that error.

[@frickpoo6644]

@@UniformHistory its because his welfare ebt phone was shut off. Great vid!!! Love it!!!!!!!

[@KaidasLibrary]

What about Spat and Chef? Their stuff is the best of the best, but they don't need to go on a rant on a KZbin video to get people to buy from them

[@armyman-ig7qs]

Aaron Horrocks just me or that the center part of the front armor sorta look like the Soviet sapper armor from ww2

[@armyman-ig7qs]

Uniform History I’d like say the center piece armor looks like soviet sapper armor

[@spamviking]

USCM uniforms are like 80% camera and lighting parts from the 70s.

[@raxsavvage]

when you're told to light em up solider YOU GOD DAMN LIGHT EM UP

[@gabrielinostroza4989]

It's like they're physically wearing the 80s

[@cactusmann5542]

I always felt like they were more advanced , "nam era uniforms. They look more like they belong in jungles rather than space... i mean they are just shirts with armor pads... I mean, i get they "look cool"...but they arent really suited for space warfare... I suppose bunch of sweaty and burly grunts were much charismatic to look at, than a bunch of people wearing some kind of combat spacesuit...

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

@@cactusmann5542 They don't fight in space though - they're fighting on planets. On the colonies.

[@andrewmoore7022]

@@cactusmann5542 they aren't fighting in space they're fighting on colonies which considering that human live on them probably have greenery, the closest they would come to space are stations and shuttles in terms of combat of course although it is likely that some probably wouldn't ever actually go on a spacewalk in their entire career in the USCM.

[@RGC-gn2nm]

Fun fact, until about 1999 this movie was a mandatory watch and review for leadership errors in the US Army Infantry school's Officer Basic School. Additionaly, most of the tech used in the movie was used as examples during our digital LandWarrior experiments. I saw waaaay too many powerpoint slides of screenshots from Aliens.

[@danthiel8623]

RGC2005 interesting 🧐

[@ree9056]

Only in the US. In the rest of the world the military know It all and don't need advice from a movie.

[@ree9056]

The gear looks a bit retro because the production wanted It to relate to the Vietnam war. I was told so, I don't know of It Is true..

[@enzoacorda]

NCR uniforms from New Vegas please!

[@austinowings4904]

Sourcing parts for that would almost make you wish for a nuclear winter...

[@andrewmoore7022]

@@austinowings4904 he did Half-Life one so I imagine he would probably do all right plus a lot of The works kind of already done by cosplayers

[@ScoutTrooperMan]

do they even call that a uniform?

[@FMCMUSA]

I was about to ask this

[@SilverState99]

Pretty much just WW1 khaki with NCR Stenciling

[@cycadaacolyte6349]

"Scope section from a G1 Megatron figure" Welp, i think we know what the most elusive part is going to be...

[@JHollan]

Megatron scope is actually not the most elusive part. IMO That'd be the Itex ear cup which you just cannot find anywhere unless you get super lucky, then the beyerdynamic HM560. Basically never come up for sale and when they do theyre £300+ next on the difficulty spectrum is the revel orbots kit used to decorste the SG headset and dropship helmet. Then the explorer MMIV. The megatron scopes are really only a little more difficult to find than a pentax lens Source: ive built a 100% found parts smart gun headset and I'm about to do an all found parts marine helmet.

[@adammarish5446]

As the author of the M56 Smartgun reference build that's still in progress on the RPF, I am honored to have seen it helped this video.

[@NoobPTFO]

I feel like the Colonial Marines are the beginning of modern sci-fi soldiers. Can’t wait to see your look on the UNSC’s uniforms!

[@ArmouredProductions]

If you haven't seen them, check out Installation 00's breakdown of the UNSC BDUs

[@sgtjarhead99]

I was still fairly fresh out of boot camp and on my first deployment when this movie came out. When I got back stateside, this movie was still playing in some theaters. Absolutely loved it and as it turned out, I picked up Corporal around the same time and really related to Hicks. Especially since we were both issued the same jungle boots :)

[@carlhicksjr8401]

I really was a corporal in the US Army when this movie came out. Note my last name. So 'STFU Carl' memes and 'Nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure' pretty much covers about half of my online life.....

[@SkySky-dk7si]

Oh boy can’t wait for Halo’s UNSC Marines/Army/ODST

[@tristanbackup2536]

A hell of lot tricky to track down the offical camo they use in Halo 3 advertisement. The company that had made the ads can't release the info for whatever reason, even after a decade.

[@xmm-cf5eg]

I'd love an ODST one, I think the Reach version of 'ems the coolest.

[@mixmaster2909]

@@tristanbackup2536 i have friends who cosplay and they just use USAF ABU tigerstripes as the under uniform

[@floydnimrod1826]

The Thompson at 2:18 is not an M1A1, but rather the earlier production M1921. The most easily recognizable distinguishing feature is the location of the charging handle. (M1A1 had a thinner reciever and a side-mounted charging handle, as opposed to the top mounted style of the earlier M1921)

[@QuickLode]

correct!

[@onrr1726]

Got to love the creativity of 70's and 80's movie magic when it comes down to making stuff from everyday items that were common from the time. It would be no surprise to me if a decent majority of items could be found at thrift stores, pawn shops and antique stores.

[@johnmurcott1273]

Not when every other alien prop replicator is scouring for them

[@brandonweis2884]

Because of this video I’ve spent at least $2600. Just got the uniform made using fabric from Spoonflower. That in its self was $540. Also got the flame thrower and pulse rifle”both 3D printed”. Also got the armor for goldenarmor. Still need to get around to assembling it. I can’t wait for comicon next year!

[@elforeigner3260]

"Hey Vasquez, have you ever been mistaken for a man?” “No, have you?”

[@zakofrx]

They could never have that line today. How long until the movie is edited with no chance of seeing it Uncut.. They have done that to movies already and with streaming you don't have any say if they choose to cut a movie for a certain group.

[@mal8455]

@Dimitri Dragunov You guys are really oversensitive. That line would fly great today with the butch crowd. Vasquez rules and there hasn't been another character like her in decades....

[@gamerboy218]

@@mal8455 That line has aged very well. Vasquez is a true icon and if anything the line would be more powerful today. Not everything has to be uber political

[@mal8455]

@@gamerboy218 It's a political line.

[@oaples8790]

@@zakofrx nah, like others have said, it would fit pretty snugly in todays day and age, imo the only potential difference might be if the movie were made today is that, the producers will use every opportunity to hammer in the fact to you the viewer knows she's a strong woman.

[@cursedmonkey1033]

The USMC are sometimes regarded with suspicion due to the perception of being corporate enforcers for Weyland Yutani.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

unlike state armed/police forces in general

[@donniemontoya9300]

I love just how incredibly 80's some of the prop parts are. I mean cameras, transformers toys, and electronics.

[@AtheistOrphan]

To us Brits, the name ‘Spunkmeyer’ always makes us giggle like schoolboys.

[@jizzboxx9984]

Not as bad as Cpl Tosser

[@_rc03]

The OD green blouse you mentioned needing to remove buttons from - you can also source US Army and USMC OD green utilities from Vietnam and back, they have the hidden button closures on the chest and midline.

[@theafflictionvhs17]

This video deserves more views.

[@Tony-dh7mz]

Outstanding. Now all we need is a deck of cards

[@461Masterchief]

Can't wait for that SG-1 episode that you keep teasing in the intro... This episode was great, btw!

[@hikerbro3870]

Especially to find out if there is an alternative to that out-of-production blackhawk pack.

[@rookierook4521]

Even if all the (Tau'ri) costumes seem very basic I am very stoked to see a full episode diving into them all

[@Jack-Hands]

Probably said before but you showed the wrong type of Thompson smg when talking about the pulse rifle. You showed a M1928 model, the classic Chicago gangster one. While the M1A1 model is the one used during WW2. You can easily tell each one apart by the location of the bolt: M1928 on top between the front and rear sights, M1A1 on the left side as can be seen on the pulse rifle.

[@adamguthrie8522]

Except the Chicago gangster Thompson was the M1921.

[@Case16710]

4:34 I had this toy as a kid, but forgot about it until I recognized it in the film while rewatching it last year. Took me back to my childhood. It was a cool toy.

[@pappafett9826]

I've always wanted that camo pattern since i was 16 it looked so authentic to real world patterns

[@Riceball01]

There is an actual real world near equivalent. I don't know the name but it's a desert pattern used by the Polish, it's really close in terms of both color and actual camo pattern but I can't attest to the cut of the uniform itself though.

[@AaronHorrocks]

@@Riceball01 I had bought a couple sets of the Desert Polish uniform, however I was disappointed with it. I feel that Czech vz95 is way closer, especially if you get a well worn out and faded set. Despite owning both, I eventually broke down and through spending a fortune and about 8 months of work, I started producing the uniforms myself, called HORPAT. At the time, you couldn't get uniforms anywhere. The previous manufacture, MenAtArms had disappeared. I had his "2nd pattern" uniform which overall was decent, but I had a few complaints about it.

[@popemobile12]

I'm glad that they kept Terry's woodland camo on the Marines' armor. Really make the uniform pop

[@BennyLlama39]

Am I the only one whose head was spinning before he got done with the shopping list?

[@thedoctor755]

Excellent! USCM M56 operator is on my list of costumes :)

[@wonderboy2402]

Incredible research and analysis. Again I marvel at the creativity of the makers of ALIENS.

[@AK-47Soldier]

Spending a lifetime of saying THANK YOU would never be good enough, your Commitment to provide Accurate information is truly and sincerely appreciated !!!!

[@jordanboyle539]

I actually like the kit and weapons they use as an ex infantry soldier myself I could easily imagine myself and others using it.

[@hikerbro3870]

It's a great day in the Corps! Thanks for this!

[@proonguice8386]

I just realized how similar the “M41” looks to the current Kel-Tec KS7

[@nerd_world8919]

This is my favorite series. I love the time an effort but you and the fans of the movies put into it.

[@davidkanengieter]

Would be interesting to see the evolution of the British web gear/combat suspension harness.

[@AvpCentral]

Another glorious day in the Corps!

[@ThePlaceCannel]

I always thought that the Lieutenant bar on Gorman's dress uniform was a subdued 1st LT bar

[@PickleRick65]

Impressive amount of information. Well Done.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

Such a good film. Shame they never made any more films in this universe after this.

[@charlesweber4419]

Always bugged me that Ferro and Spunkmeyer weren't Warrant Officers in rank at least.

[@mr.muldoontoyou]

Same here. Flying the all important dropship wouldn't be left to a CPL or PFC

[@adlerche6992]

Well done! Except one honorable mention - the print on grey t-shirt with initial version of M41 and motto around it ;)

[@dontaskwhyproductions5434]

You should do the uniforms of the Wolfenstein soldiers

[@Unsound_advice]

I would like to thanks this movie for the 11 years I spent in the USMC lol.

[@hikerbro3870]

Damn lysdexia.

[@danielthompson6207]

It's nice when you get out and can afford Crayola instead of the shitty knockoffs they feed you while you're in.

[@Unsound_advice]

Dimitri Dragunov no Xeno’s, just a lot of bug hunts.

[@fookinaye8277]

Definitely need some more movie uniform vids. Subbed

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

The camo pattern is basically Arid ERDL. ^_^

[@Realm-of-Horror]

Awesome video, although a couple of minor corrections if I may. The custom ab-pads were actually dark grey, not black. Although they looked kind-of black in the film due to the lighting. Also the armour colours, black was not used. It was Humbrol #91 Black-Green, which again appears darker on film. I know of at least one costuming group that will not accept Colonial Marine costumes with black ab-pads or black paint on their armour.

[@wcharliewilson7004]

The M1A1 was the weapon used for the M41A Pulse; the TSMG pictured here is of an earlier model, the M1928A1...

[@Followme556]

Greatest action movie of all time.

[@harosokman]

I couldn't care less about the props. But Bloody Hell you deserve credit! That's some exceptional research! Keep up the good work!

[@tomdulski3729]

WELL DONE! Keep up the good work. Would love to see something on GI Joe, Cobra Snake eyes etc...

[@leibermuster2399]

17:10 spotted a wild Wierzbowski

[@enzoacorda]

Just a suggestion- Try showing the equivalents of the Humbrol shades to different brands like MRP, Gunze, Tamiya, etc.. next time.

[@Angry11B]

The fact they used Army rank patches, has always bothered me since I noticed it.

[@stevenm3823]

Always wondered why the Platoon Sergeant was wearing yellow Army E7 rank and not the USMC crossed rifles Gunny rank.

[@yakitoly7461]

Could you do Czech or Czechoslovakian uniforms?

[@ghostdog2041]

Anatoli667 That doesn’t sound very sci-fi.

[@yakitoly7461]

Who said I can only ask about scifi stuff

[@ghostdog2041]

Anatoli667 isn’t that what this is? Uniforms of the Screen, not Uniforms of Reality.

[@yakitoly7461]

ghostdog2041 but it’s the same channel so why not ask here?

[@Guhonter]

Te video made me watch Aliens just because of the shear scale of details :)

[@CISE9]

Complete parts list - Or just 3D Print it -- lol! Great video on Weapons - Gear - Camo! This is my favorite movie!

[@qsstores6933]

Goreman's dark green trousers look very similar to the British Army issued barrack trousers ( a type of parade pattern) which were worn in the 70s/ 80s and turn up regularly and are relatively cheapl; you couldn't really use them afterwards like you could say like a pair of camo trousers.

[@aboabo8246]

Would love to see you guys talk about the weird Allied Nations camo/uniforms of the 94 Street Fighter movie.

[@antonyrobinson9973]

The boots are UK Doc Martins, custom made for the film.

[@calschnatz5694]

This is a very well executed video full of a LOT of useful information. I am now a HUGE fan of your channel. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Uniforms from Battlestar Galactica both the 1979 and the Ronald D. Moore version?

[@Treblaine]

German machine gun + japanese motorcycle = sci fi classic

[@xmm-cf5eg]

the MG-34 and MG-42 are movie staples at this point.

[@Treblaine]

@@xmm-cf5eg It's such a contrast, MG34/42 look like right at home in the hands of a space-faring Stormtrooper or Space marine, but contemporary designs like Bren are so quintessentially 1930's design they're practically art deco.

[@KARMA2369]

Hell of a Video, Thanks for all the info and Sites to go to...

[@johnrodriguez7742]

Colonial Marines: Starship Troopers of The United States Space Force. Semper Fi, Galatic Gyrenes!! Ooh Rah!!

[@russell28533]

That's it man, game over.

[@skepticalbadger]

Slight correction - PSNI was only used for the modern incarnation of the unit (i.e. post-2001, whereas you unintentionally implied it was called PSNI before 2001).

[@incrediblefruit]

Specifically the flame thrower used the upper receiver from 2 LS model m16s one on top and the other underneath reversed and the front barrel shrouds from an LS model m203 grenade launcher

[@Bluecollarjoe6B9]

You have done the Lord’s work sir ❤

[@jodywatkins9467]

Please do 3 color desert and m81 woodlen.

[@davidoftheforest]

I want that knife the marines have in the AVP game, it has a trigger finger ring I'm pretty sure. I got the Cold Steel Chaos dagger but it isnt close enough!

[@mina7572]

You should do NOD uniforms from Command & Conquer

[@Tounushi]

6:33 "caseless."

[@gruberjens4354]

Thanks for that video! Impressive work you put into it :-)

[@Clay3613]

Disappointed the awesome Sentry Guns got overlooked. Otherwise, awesome video! Have you thought of explaining these costumes history as if they were real in universe?

[@Clay3613]

@J The Extended Cut was the original cut before Fox made Cameron edit the movie again for time.

[@HumanHamCube]

Very detailed. Subbed and impressed

[@Malice_doll]

I’m a retired veteran in the Roblox Colonial Marines. Good times I recommend you guys check it out

[@bishopm4401]

Never even seen these movies but bey your ass I was entertained the whole time

[@Gaenvan]

Great work ! Could you do french uniforms ?

[@venommwolf]

Outstanding!!!!

[@chrispbacon955]

Awesome video! You guys do a great job 😎👍👍

[@la_void9750]

I love watching your content lore about military gear. I was hoping you can cover RoboCop 3 the rehab soldiers from the OCP mercenary team.

[@eduardobalestrini4328]

great video details are important

[@1joshjosh1]

Ithaca Model 37.. Kick ass

[@suspicioususer]

Have you considered doing a video game version of this series? If so the NCR uniform and Halo Marine or ODST uniforms would be interesting. Theres even some live action versions for the marines/ODSTs

[@UniformHistory]

Oh yes, we're planning on doing video game and comic uniforms as well. Halo Marines are a heavily requested one and we have a very special build episode in the works for one of their uniform/armor variants. We're also working on and off researching the Halo: Landfall Marine pieces.

[@theouterarrowhead]

Did you find anything for the Hadleys Hope colonists? I'm trying to match the shirts worn by Lydecker and Simpson.

[@audreymota8423]

they should’ve used kevlar helmets instead the steel pot the M88 for the kevlar helmet would make it more futuristic

[@jodywatkins9467]

is there any chance you could do videos on the history gas masks? Thanks.

[@2saxey808]

Amazing. Thank you sir!

[@danielmelgar8918]

The standard hat was turned into a OG-507 weather hat. They just added a pad like the olive military one. Why the patch doesn't fit at the top tip of the patch.

[@brandonweis2884]

This was an awesome video well done

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

While we're isolating in place, I'm more interested in Ripley's dressing gown.

[@TheRendar]

Amazing video! Thank you. Very helpful .

[@nelsonewbank9204]

Another dope video!! I need that Stargate one soon tho!!

[@RicoZaid_]

Wow amazing

[@rurushu8094]

Please do one on UNSC marines too :)

[@onisspace1564]

Can you look into the cams and equipment from Avatar please? would love to know where i can get the cams and kit for the movie

[@pandabacon11]

I went “Ooo thats cool” when I saw this on my feed

[@M60gunner1971]

I've had one of those wrist watches ⌚️ since the early 1980's

[@Dalek-caan-15]

Can you do Deathstroke from arrow next

[@ChubbsterBrown]

Cracked me up when he says the fire control group from a thompson m1a1 then shows a m1928 picture.

[@herknorth8691]

*M1927; the M1928 had the horizontal forearm.

[@ChubbsterBrown]

@@herknorth8691 the 1928 had a vertical grip like any other. The 1928a1 had a horizontal and the 1927 was just a 1921 in semi auto only. 21 and 28 are identical except for fire rat

[@ktinga1]

Sorry to be"that guy", but the weapon pictured at 2:17 is a M1927/M1928 Thompson, when the Thompson SMGs used in the prop are M1A1 Thompsons. That is important in this case because of the charging handle. On the M1A1, the charging handle was relocated to the side, and it's basically impossible to make the M1927/28 into one of these because of the carry handle on the prop. It's not a huge deal, but it is the wrong version pictured.

[@UniformHistory]

Thanks for the correction, made note of the error in the description.

[@ktinga1]

@@UniformHistory No problem, happy to help. I loved the video though! It was super informative, and it's interesting to see how they repurpose the smallest things for props.