These solid colored uniforms were produced for the South African Special Forces during the Border War. Like other Recce-specific items, these were almost completely sterile with only minimal markings for size; the “official designation” is unknown.
The green colored version appears to be the most commonly available on the market and most commonly seen in photos.
Green Version:
The green version is made from a herringbone twill (HBT) material.
Jacket:
Generic 4-pocket jacket with an obvious resemblance to the US M65 and other M43-derived field jackets commonly in seen in military use. No markings remain on this example. The jacket is probably the most commonly encountered part of this type of uniform.
Pockets:
Cuffs:
Armpit Vents:
Inside:
Buttons:
Pants:
Waist Belt:
Nylon webbing attached to ladder buckle used to tighten and secure waist.
Inside:
Markings have been worn away. See tan version (below) for what it would have had when new.
Waist Pocket:
Slash waist pockets have velcro on inside of bag.
Cargo Pockets:
Thigh Pocket:
Loops:
Each leg has 4 loops for holding foliage or tying objects to.
Tan Version:
The jacket and the pants are made from a thick, tightly-woven twill drill material, unlike the HBT of the green version. The tan hat is made from HBT material.
Jacket:
Same as green HBT version above, except in khaki tan drill material.
Stamp:
The size stamp is the only marking on the jacket.
Upper Pockets:
Lower Pockets:
Armpit Vents:
Inside:
Cuffs:
Buttons:
Buttons have multiple shades.
Pants:
Stamp:
Sticker:
A warning about not using the items in public is printed onto a sticker on the inside waist that is meant to be easily removed.
Waist Belt:
Nylon webbing attached to ladder buckle used to tighten and secure waist.
Buckle:
Buckle is completely sterile.
Inside:
Button:
Same as tan jacket.
Waist Pockets:
Slash waist pockets have velcro on inside of bag.
Cargo Pockets:
Thigh Pocket:
Loop:
There are four loops for holding foliage or tying things to on each leg.
Ankles:
Hat:
Made from HBT material like the green version jacket and pants.
Flap:
Top:
Inside:
Snaps:
Usage Photos:
Due to the clandestine nature of Recce operations, very few photos show this type of uniform in use.
There is a photo of a full green version set in use in medical training during the late 1980’s (information from accompanying text) on page 506 of South Africa Special Forces: The Men Speak by Jonathan Pittaway and Douw Steyn.