South African Para Fox Chest Webbing (1980’s?)

Chest Rigs, Later Cold War (1969 - 1989), South Africa, Webbing

Sample 1: Para Fox Chest Rig

Similar 420D nylon duck and ALICE fixlock clips as Niemoller webbing.  No map pocket on back. 

Magazine Pouches:

The cloth strips inside the magazine pouches are not long enough to reach bottom. They are probably only there to keep magazines inside.

Fixlock Clips:

Shoulder Straps:

Bottom:

Usage Photos:

44 Parachute Brigade:

From https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515521488576473618 .
From https://www.pinterest.com/pin/507217976766861704

Mainly used by SADF Parabats (parachute brigades), particularly 44 Parachute Brigade (44 Parabat) [1].

44 Parachute Brigade Images from [1].
December 1980: Ondowanga Air Base in South West Africa (Namibia), testing a vehicle before operations. Photo taken by Ken Gaudet, used here with permission.

SADF Recces:

Note 32BN Dry Season camouflage uniform. [2]

Reenactor Photo:

Original image from [3].
This is the version most commonly passed off as a period photo.

The above photos are reenactors from [3]. Be careful with social media sources; this image with a filter has been circulating around Instagram and similar sites with dubious text!

Sample 2: Unknown Bateleur 90

The Para Fox chest rig was the direct inspiration for the Bateleur 90 Parabat chest rigs. These also included an integrated holster. The example below is of unknown origin and has a similar dark color, but softer, lighter weight Cordura. Item no longer in collection.

Comparison with standard SADF Nutria Brown.