Taking a Closer Look at The US Air Force's Prototype Blue Tigerstripe Uniforms

A sort of supplemental video to one of the first videos posted on the channel which covered the ABUs and Digital Tigerstripe uniforms of the USAF. In it we take a look at the pattern and two dominant versions of the uniforms trialed during the testing.
Music by Julian Crowhurst: www.juliancrowhurst.com/

[@Spitfiremk8]

Absolute genius. A camouflage that doesn't have to actually camouflage. Brilliant

[@itzztim6987]

You guys are stupid the'll be looking for soldiers

[@StevenTheAristolianNerd]

@@itzztim6987 Love that quote

[@LedosKell]

Welcome to the modern US military. Wasting money on senseless projects for image purposes. I understand why dress uniforms are and should be distinct, but camo serves a practical function. I like tigerstripe but they should have given it colors that could be used in the field.

[@Zack_Wester]

@@LedosKell that said for a branch that do not need or should need to use camo, if they need then someone is doing something very wrong. that said distinct camouflage or more correctly distinct unique uniforms is good. we all had that moment when your in a store and someone thinks your a staff because you wore the same colored Shirts and jeans your part of staff as the only ID element is a small Logo or text over one of the chest pockets.

[@Riceball01]

@@Zack_WesterIf they didn't need an actual camouflage uniform, then why bother with a non-camouflaging camouflage pattern then? They could have saved themselves a lot of time and effort by going with a simple single color uniform. That or one with one color blouse and another color of trousers, to give it a kind of dressier look.

[@sergiom9958]

It looks like a Hawain shirt

[@CelticSemperTyrannis]

I see I'm not the only one who thinks so lol

[@AK-47Outlaw]

@Ross Outdoors Thank you for your Comment, my dad use to watch Magnum PI on repeat and would always shave his's mustache into Tom's Style.

[@shaggnar2014]

Hawaiian shirts for the Air Force is pretty fitting

[@lancejackson3524]

You should see the RAAF camo.

[@stevethecountrycook1227]

I thought the same thing.

[@marcosburgos8415]

The blue tiger stripe might work well in the Jungles of Pandora

[@QuantumAscension1]

But... the plants there are (mostly) green, too

[@dscrappygolani7981]

😂😂 I was about to say just that.

[@petter5721]

Haha or I Narnia 🤣

[@johnkonrad5040]

Moral of the Story: Never let Air Force generals play dressup.

[@CoolGuy-ct5gs]

John? Is that you?

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@CoolGuy-ct5gs You tell me.

[@CoolGuy-ct5gs]

@@johnkonrad5040 I’m done playing games, John.

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@CoolGuy-ct5gs Oh I assure you, this is no game.

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@CoolGuy-ct5gs It seems that reports of my... _Survival..._ Have been greatly exaggerated.

[@Riceball01]

What I find kind of sad about the whole ABU fiasco is that they actually sent test uniforms out to their spec ops people, like PJs JTAC,s and the like, the people who could actually use a real camouflage uniform. When they sent in their feedback, the Air Force brass, in their infinite wisdom, ignored every bit of feedback that they gave. So instead of a practical uniform that would have worked just as well in the field as on the tarmac, they got a crappy uniform that really didn't work well anywhere except maybe inside an air condoned office.

[@LedosKell]

Oh tigerstripe, so beloved by enlisted servicemen and so loathed by officers.

[@bobbymahar7970]

Marine corp should go old SF Vietnam tiger stripe even though MARPAT is pretty dope anyways

[@Apopolopis]

@@bobbymahar7970 the marine raiders have gone back to woodland, tiger stripe for certain units would be cool. Some green berets used it in a training exercise not long ago.

[@thriddy8191]

@@Apopolopis CIA GRS uses Tigerstripe frequently. I've seen photos of CCT's wearing them in Syria and Afghanistan.

[@Apopolopis]

@@thriddy8191 grs just wear whatever they want most of the time. CCT's can also get some liberties. I was mostly talking about getting it issued

[@terranempire2]

Apparently not, as the Officers approved.

[@this_is_not_leanne6299]

This should be space force’s uniform

[@sorryforthings72]

But add stars and Saturn!

[@arx3516]

The space force uniform should be a simple blue suit with choke collar.

[@scoutdogfsr]

These uniforms remind me of some 3rd word army. You know the ones were everyone has a difference pattern or plain o.d. but none of them are actually effective for the local terrain.

[@maximiliantay9545]

Yeah the blue, green and grey colour scheme really does seem reminiscent of some 3rd world security forces

[@terranempire2]

And navies

[@AmphiStuG]

Along with some bright red, green beret or even a damn visor cap.

[@terranempire2]

@@AmphiStuG well the Berets in the USAF date back to the 1960s complete with color. The visor cap in the prototype ABU was USMC which is common with the Navy.

[@AmphiStuG]

@@terranempire2 Good point, also something I didn't know, so thank you. But I meant something like those 3rd world armies where their officers wear aviators and British style visor caps with the horribly conspicuous red ribbon, along with service men that seem to be wearing a red wool berets no matter where they are.

[@tedarlauskas4290]

I got off a C17 coming back from a deployment to Iraq. I was greeted by an Airman wearing this. I couldn’t help it. I laughed out loud at his uniform.

[@JayKayKay7]

I'm from the Woodland camo era, 88-91; still the best. The Marines rolled their sleeves up so the pale inside showed; we had to fold ours so one could pull them down in case of gas attack.

[@AK-47Outlaw]

Digital Marpat Era, 15 to 18 I feel like Digital Comufloge was a good Idea but it honestly it's a Cadpat Clone. Pulse the whole Marine Sleeve roll Inside out consept Always annoyed me even when I left.

[@choppergunner8650]

I'm not American, I'm Brazilian. M81 Woodland has got to be the best camo ever. Classic, not complicated and effective. Our Lizard pattern looks similar with the pale interior sticking out when the sleeves are rolled up.

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Space Force should adopt these!

[@johnkonrad5040]

Oof, don't give em ideas XD

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

@@johnkonrad5040 ha!

[@kennethhoppe2259]

Yes Space Force should adapt the Tiger's

[@davidbrennan660]

This pattern but in black on a two tone black background.

[@terranempire2]

Civil air patrol should. So the kids on base can be easily identified.

[@starcoloneldunadansonoft501]

BDUs should never have gone away. You can't change my mind.

[@TheDakotat76]

Air Force adopts Hawaiian shirt as uniform....that actually sounds about right

[@alexisdetocqueville9964]

That's exactly what I thought - reminded me of a Hawaiian shirt.

[@traveller4790]

I had just retired a few years before this debacle took place, but my son was still in so I got all of the info first-hand. The statement that was made in the video about the Air Force not really caring if the uniform actually prevented someone from being seen but that they just wanted a distinctive pattern unique to the Air Force is 100% correct. The original tiger stripe uniform pattern was and still is (IMHO) the best camouflage pattern in existence, and it was submitted for consideration but was immediately dismissed. Why, I don't know because none of the uniformed services were still using it, so it would have been both a true camouflage uniform and a distinctive one at the same time. But noooooo, the generals in the command staff said no, they didn't want it - they wanted a BLUE one instead. You are correct about the differences between the Type I and Type II uniforms - the only changes were the cuff adjusters and elbow pads in the jacket, and yes, the Type II trousers did in fact have knee patches. Other than that, they were the same as the Type I trousers. IMHO they never should have gotten away from the old solid OD Green "pickle suits."

[@echodelta2172]

OD green was going away no matter what as we deployed to the desert, and BDUs were just fine. We should have moved to coyote brown and kept the BDU patterns.

[@DeusExAstra]

"Why, I don't know because none of the uniformed services were still using it"... this is somewhat irrelevant. Having a uniform pattern that's widely available is a security risk. This is why armies pick new camo patterns that are not yet seen. Partly because of effectiveness, but also because there's less risk of the enemy being able to easily get them and infiltrate their troops among yours. So, just because the other US services dont use the original tiger stripe pattern doesnt mean much when you can easily buy it on any online store in any variant you want. That being said, what they went with is kind of crap.

[@rc59191]

As a former Airman I'm quite proud of it. It really took into account our preference for relaxation and comfort.

[@echodelta2172]

>laughs in acft mx

[@fireline4765]

We should have never left BDUs.

[@luisguzman3657]

Reject Modernity, Return to Woodland

[@fireline4765]

@@luisguzman3657 I second that motion!

[@johndwayne3481]

The original intent of the new uniform was to look different that the Army and Marine Corps. If the Air Force just stayed with the BDUs, we would be unique by NOT wearing MARPAT or ACUs. Or if the AF wanted to really stick out in BDUs while maintaining Air Force heritage, make us wear colored patches on those BDUs.

[@user-yx7pi5wc9f]

bdus arent that comfy tbh, i think newer acus and mcuuu are more comfortable

[@The_Temple]

The mistake was giving up olive drab fatigues

[@Kriegter]

This reminds me of the Blue Tigerstripe uniform worn by Russian Riot police

[@ajax8341]

It's called "Blue Kamysh" FYI

[@mrrouk140]

@@ajax8341 in russian it's called "серый камыш", so grey reed, not blue

[@ajax8341]

@@mrrouk140 Ah ok. Thanks for the information))

[@connorparks1130]

Could you do the Finnish M05 camo series next, they've got a woodland, winter, snow overcoat, desert, and I think a rare urban version.

[@Chaydex]

As an active duty sergeant in Finnish Defense Forces, I second this

[@lwysparagon8109]

The experimental type used the inverted colorway of the original Vietnam Tigerstripe. The grey portion ( Foliage Green) appears to be the black stripes in the original colorway and the Airforce Blue is the light green portion. You can compare and use the crow feet sign on the two camouflages as a marker.

[@mattconrad6544]

I love this channel, please continue doing videos going over the different cuts and styles of these uniforms

[@finnmcnairbransen6507]

Looks like something that would be adopted if interplanetary war ever became a reality, the colors look like an aerial view of the Earth and would be used for the "Earth Force"

[@coreystockdale6287]

Space force

[@MrDK0010]

No...?

[@mr.wiggles7535]

Why can't the military just make a tiger stripe pattern that is actually meant to conceal them instead of just looking cool :(

[@terranempire2]

Desert tiger, classic tiger, multi tiger. Tiger stripe products even claim they offered a Multicam color based set but apparently they only wanted branding not concealment.

[@mr.wiggles7535]

@@terranempire2 Well in one of the videos he stated the US was basically doing a fashion show with their uniforms lol. So that's expected.

[@terranempire2]

@@mr.wiggles7535 like I said branding, they wanted to be easily established as this service or that. Really was idiotic. The Marines patterns work but when they added the Eagle Globe and Anchor to the it was idiotic. The Navy and Marines should have had a common set. The Army should have followed its own test results and adopted all around brush or Multicam with the USAF following suit. The navy should never have needed NWU II or III. If they needed a new set of working uniforms for ship board they should have set to adapting fr jump suits or better yet FR chinos and mechanic shirts that are the established USN tradition for almost a century now.

[@hook86]

They did. Vietnam tiger. It was very effective.

[@geodes4762]

@@mr.wiggles7535 This is all basic bullshit! The amount of money being spent on this is criminal. The military ought to be told that they need to go back to wearing a basic “fatigue” type uniform for daily work. These outrageously expensive camouflage uniforms with all the whistles and bell such as IR and chemical resistance need to be standardized amongst the services and set aside for use only during actual combat operations. Our troops do not need to be parading around in the US and airports in a combat uniform. I find it especially galling to see West Point cadets dressed in these uniforms instead of their traditional academy gray uniforms. And to all those Generals who would say this draws them closer to the real Army just let me say-give me a fucking break! It’s bullshit and a waste of taxpayers money!

[@CelticSemperTyrannis]

It looks like a Hawaiian shirt

[@whatintarnationisthis7863]

One uniform I’d love to see is also another trigger stripe uniform. The desert tiger stripe uniforms used by navy seals and cia paramilitary. I’m sure this would be super hard to find but it would be a interesting video.

[@bossplayerunit4563]

this pattern is really neat, i hope maybe one day i can get my hands on some gear in this pattern

[@echodelta2172]

there are holsters and all sorts of stuff made in this pattern. Aloha Now camo

[@SSGTStryker]

I remember seeing these at my first duty station after tech school, WPAFB. Ironically I was stationed at Pensacola NAS just prior and assigned to a detachment that was with the USMC. Both the cover and the embedded insignia immediately reminded me of what I just saw. I liked it to a degree, but wasn’t crazy about the shades or hue of blue and raspberry color chevrons. The USAF use of the 8 point cover wasn’t very well received at that time too. But little do most people realize that during the later SAC/TAC years in Vietnam there were some squadrons utilizing the same cover in a solid OD color. The USAF also used it during OIF/OEF and was issued to AFCENT ground forces.

[@iridiumscribe4915]

I ran into one of these the day before at my local surplus shop. It was only the top and used quite a bit but it was really different from the standard issued ABU on the rack. It was only going for $30. I didn't completely know what it was other than it had to be a prototype pattern but it's still there but now learning more about it, I think I'll go back and grab it for collection sake.

[@mrbluesteen]

love this channel! your videos are always extremely detailed and easy to watch. I been sitting on some genuine UCP Delta fabric. Hidden Woodsmen Gear company made the fabric into Ball Caps. would love to send you one.

[@MrRyryrose]

I looked and I can't believe we don't have a Vietnam tiger stripe video yet

[@ericcollins7455]

I have a pre-sample swing room , that’s cut in the USMC MARPAT shirt style and have a slight print change. The USAF print deleted a few black stripes what would have been in the Vietnam print.

[@kennethhoppe2259]

Mr Collins MARPAT is way ahead I hope USMC keeps it and doesn't change Came's color style like they do every 20 year 😉

[@MichaelR58]

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@markcurtis4465]

I once saw a pair of pants that were like Vietnam tiger stripe but the stripes were vertical and the colors were gray black tan and brown. They looked like old school trebark hunting camo and I found almost zero information about them. They looked really cool.

[@jaganshi5444]

You're talking about ASAT pattern, All Season All Terrain I'd be willing to bet

[@markcurtis4465]

@@jaganshi5444 images.app.goo.gl/JFswrKmSpenqoBD39 No it looked like this.

[@jaganshi5444]

@@markcurtis4465 okay that's pretty damn cool, I've only seen this a couple times ever. It seems like I remember the vert tiger being part of an experimental trial before m81 was decided on, that version was pretty much standard erdl with vertical black tiger stripes overlaid on it though. It looks like this pattern really is just tiger that has just gotten a directional flip

[@markcurtis4465]

@@jaganshi5444 Yeah vertical and gray instead of green. I found a company called Ranger that makes hunting apparel but it was all Mossey Oak patterns.

[@jaganshi5444]

@@markcurtis4465 I've had a few pieces of Ranger gear, I still have an m81 flannel by them. given the time period they were made in some of the coolest stuff is often the most obscure. You could look at old Rattler brand camos too, some of their stuff can be confused with Ranger

[@6cd963]

Nice video, i got an ACU Corrections coat that i believe was issued to Army prisoners today

[@lew9223]

Great review. Thanks 👍 I think the Greek military had a similarly coloured pattern to that.

[@heymanmotorsports49]

I have an UBER rare Gortex of this. It looks killer as I’m rockin it on the slopes

[@1.1797]

My base incorporated the abu's right after I got out. Was so excited to wear the tiger stripes, but it didn't come soon enough.

[@rexli5586]

This is basically the Hawaiian shirt of military uniforms

[@ratagris21]

Tiger stripe is a gorgeous pattern next to Brush stroke or Rhodesian Camp pattern.

[@scoldeddogproduction]

I was stationed at McChord when the testing was going on and saw this uniform a lot. It looked worse in person. It didn't help that everyone else was still wearing the woodland camouflage and the blue uniform clashed and stood out. They looked like Hot Topic started an army. Thank God the AF dropped it and went with the only slightly better ABU.

[@robbabcock_]

Very neat!

[@Liam1991]

DPM please!

[@shadowwolf7622]

This is what happens when our military wants camo for a fashion statement instead of it's real role- help hide a soldier. We have wasted SO much $ on worthless camo patterns!!! Give me a break !!!

[@TheMaster4534]

Better bring back the plain khaki in that case. Useless camos make me cringe, ngl

[@shadowwolf7622]

@@TheMaster4534 Roger that !

[@blacksquirrel4008]

And they just keep adding patterns, WTF?

[@StevenTheAristolianNerd]

Early is on time baby.

[@CosmicFry]

I have a distinct childhood memory while living on Elmendorf Air Force Base back in the early 2000s of seeing someone wearing this crazy new blue uniform that I had never seen before, as I had only seen the woodland BDUs and desert DCUs before. I've always suspected that it was the experimental ABUs, but will never be able to confirm.

[@Obijuan1776]

It’d be awesome if you did a video on the USAF one piece flight suit history along with its associated jackets. Especially the A2 bomber jacket! Along with that you can also cover the USAF’s adoption of the two piece flight suit

[@ionclaw7340]

Can you do a history of all Multicam stuff . The Australian blue Multicam is interesting...

[@penumbraenigmatica3252]

🇨🇦 How about doing a piece on the Canadian Airborne Regiment's camouflage....?? Great show!!

[@bryanmontgomery996]

I believe I have an unissued example of the type II jacket. No name tape or rank has ever been affixed. It's in excellent condition.

[@michaelgoss]

Since I'm thinking about ABUs you should do a video on the ABSG someday. I think I still have a set tucked away somewhere

[@samuelbean9928]

Awesome!

[@TenCoJeCool]

Yay, uniforms!!!!

[@MobileAura]

It looks like the mix of every camo.

[@timothyblair7027]

Type 2 also had a change to the dye or some manufacturing process if i remember correctly, but it's 50-50 if my brain is working correctly.

[@WrathOfGrapesN7]

Always makes me laugh. They wanted a camouflage pattern that would make them stand out? Kinda not getting the core concept there, lol.

[@simonh6371]

Air Force are so far removed from actual combat - except pilots - that they don't need camouflage.

[@echodelta2172]

It's a third world mentality...that camo patterns ARE the uniform whether or not they blend well

[@danshakuimo]

@@echodelta2172 isn't the whole third world wearing woodland in the desert a thing because they got the uniforms from surplus so basically that's all they got?

[@dakota4384]

Well technically speaking blue us a good color for urban, maritime, and night operations

[@pornstache1456]

Gotta bring these back and darken it a little for the Space Force!!!

[@krtacct]

I thought the Navy’s blueberries were lame then this comes along.

[@blakebaumgardner2426]

Any possibility of covering the history of the 1942 USMC frog pattern?

[@gamingmoth4542]

I’m wondering if you could do a video on the equipment used by the Combine Metro Police and Overwatch Soldiers from Half Life 2. I know that you already did a video about the HECU, so I’d think that doing the Human antagonists shown in the sequel would be the next step.

[@thebigironexperiance5148]

I’m In the air force, and I’m glad we use OCPs now

[@Sigil_57]

Fucking for real. Hate ABU's

[@garrettlogue4249]

Reminds me slightly of the russian Omon camo print

[@michaelfodor6280]

The pattern is called Kamush/Blue Reed or Tigr/Tiger www.camopedia.org/index.php?title=Russia OMON is a Russian Special Police Unit.

[@garrettlogue4249]

@@michaelfodor6280 *ahktually People refer to it as omon camo off-hand because (surprise) people tend to associate it with them. Try finding a listing of this stuff for sale that doesn't mention "MVD" or "OMON"

[@julietlima5564]

So when are you guys are actually going to cover the original tiger stripe?

[@Est.MORAL35]

Pls do the History of Jigsaw camouflage.

[@od1452]

Since most AF SM are on bases... was there any attempt to find a base friendly color or pattern. ?? While the ACUs had their problems I liked the pockets. I thought the BDUs were useless when geared up. I also noticed troops who are not doing outdoor jobs have a different idea of what is useful. SO maybe 2 types of uniforms are needed.

[@jorgec.a3123]

With the original cap and those colors they would've seemed to be the Navy, I wonder if they thought about that or if that was even a reason not to adopt it all together

[@thenetnewb]

Hi Uniform History. I'm a big fan of yours. I just wanted to let you know that I actually have the experimental 8-Point Air Force cover and ECWCS jacket. Let me know if I can help! Kind regards.

[@603GearExchange]

Would love to see an episode on the CIA desert tiger

[@PC-rl1xe]

It's sad that the USAF brass has no idea that it's Airmen (even the non SOF ones) require a camouflage uniform. In their world view, nothing outside the flight-line exists. Then they have the nerve to assign Airmen to Army duties in Iraq because of a lack of personnel, with uniforms they know are inadequate. OCPs may be unoriginal but at least they work.

[@echodelta2172]

USAF brass has a hilarious disconnect from reality...

[@nuclearpopsiclestand9245]

When the pattern no longer blends in with anything, does it not go from being camouflage to just a paisley pattern?

[@Jonascord]

I missed the tactical requirement that says ground crews need to blend into the back ground on the ramp. I'd hunt for the 3 star fighter jock with an investment in the uniform supplier...

[@Ryan_7389]

Plz do British modern camo or Estonian

[@PC-rl1xe]

Are you still planning to due the ABU development video you mentioned at the end?

[@pastorclay82]

They tested this on Luke, funny as hell to see Airman in USMC covers.

[@scarling9367]

I'd think the design and construction of the BDU uniform would be nailed down by, now. I mean, no reinforcement patches at the knee and elbows?

[@frogmaster83]

Interesting, but I like the look of the one you showed in the opening section of the video. 🤔

[@gagemullis313]

That's the UCP-D pattern, he has a video on it too

[@frogmaster83]

@@gagemullis313 Thanks, I will have a look. 👍

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

Ooooh, so I wonder what camouflage patterns the US Space Force will come up with. I wonder if they'll be white, grey, silver, or bright yellow, like the Moonraker Elite.

[@danschneider9921]

Whats with the gloves? I can understand with a very old or fragile uniform, or one that maybe sensitive. But we are talking about a contemporary military grade piece of kit in this case

[@guysmith411]

You gotta think long term, they want these uniforms to last as long as possible, why wait until these already rare pieces become more fragile due to time to start wearing gloves and implementing other practices to preserve the longevity of them?

[@markkus7725]

Where can I buy vietnam tiger stripe jacket ?

[@davidpaszto4278]

Please make video about slovak VZ.2007 pattern

[@00hunk]

The one digital with woodland and desert version?

[@ShahAznable]

In topic of Tiger stripes, would you be interested in covering Malaysian Woodland Tiger stripes ( Loreng Harimau Belang)?. It's doesn't not takes from The traditional Tiger stripes, instead it takes from M81 Woodland and the shapes are resemble of Tiger stripes.

[@dchavez1528]

(Whistle, whistle) look at those unies

[@bobsnuggles6447]

Epic

[@olavc.oevele1902]

There are quite some blue camo patterns. Are none of those meant to actually camouflage and do only exists to distinguis the wearer?

[@sinner175]

What a dumb, expensive mistake.

[@echodelta2172]

This and the other uniforms produced then cost billions of dollars...

[@sierra715]

Can you do desert tigerstripe that is/was used by the CIA?

[@nathandanielsknoxville2210]

Remember those wax water cups they use to have in the 90s?

[@13mike27]

The pen pouch you refer to in the pocket is not used for pens and never was designed for pens. It is designed and used for holding a radiation detection device.

[@TDDummermuth]

I remember seeing that in the DM AFB BX. It looked like a Hawaiian shirt gone bad.

[@chibani-]

Ain't gonna lie, i'd like a hawaïan shirt in that camo

[@thenumbertwentytoo]

where can you get one

[@4Bobay]

The blue uniforms look awesome! They truly reflect the lineage of the USAF. Many allies of the USA have adapted this type of blue uniform. ( EG: Australia)

[@jeremyweaver7689]

Now do Tigerstripe desert and woodland

[@sgt.loveless5348]

Looks like yugo blue tiger that special police forces used

[@highchamp1]

No clouds? Re: Air Force Generals hat Stars for Space Force

[@danvanhoose6783]

Man,all we had was green when I was in.

[@olyboy95]

Straight out of 'Wormhole Xtreme'

[@Ryan_7389]

What’s what you showed in the beginning video

[@gagemullis313]

UCP-D

[@Ryan_7389]

Thanks

[@joejohnson4183]

I guess when you are in your aircraft this pattern makes you invisible to your enemies because it so blends in with the clouds and sky , the chair force strikes again .

[@betancourt10fitness54]

Wish we could go back to the Vietnam tiger stripes!

[@NomadShadow1]

Cool

[@mofunky8929]

Thank god we’ve moved on to ocps

[@GrumpyNCO]

They JUST got the OCP pattern.