British P72 Lightweight Combat Pack Vest (1980)

Cold War, Experimental, Trials, and Prototypes, Great Britain and Commonwealth, Later Cold War (1969 - 1989), Modern (1990 - Present), Vests, Webbing

In the 1960’s, Western military planners assumed that the Soviet Union would make extensive use of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons in any conflict with the West. This assessment reflected both the contemporary rapid expansion of Soviet weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities [1][2][3] and the prevailing Soviet military doctrine at the time, which framed nuclear escalation as “inevitable” and oriented strategic planning toward the prospect of global nuclear war [4]. In response, the British military tested load-bearing equipment made from butyl nylon in the early 1970’s since it was believed to be easier to decontaminate than the standard issue cotton P58 webbing. Most of these test pieces are dated 1972–1973, leading collectors to call them “Pattern 72” or “1972 Pattern”. [5] Although most P72 equipment was never officially adopted, the “Pack, Combat, Lightweight” vest, shown on this page, saw extensive use by British Special Forces from the 1970’s through the 1990’s, with production continuing well beyond 1973.

Inside:

Bottom:

Drain holes at bottom of pouches.

Stamp:

Made by Mills Equipment Company (MECO) in 1980.

Front Large Pouches:

Smaller open pockets are sized to fit ammunition magazines.

Belt Loops:

Side Buckles:

Metal ladder buckles on side straps can be used to adjust for sizing.

Toggles:

Vest can be secured closed with plastic toggles.

Usage Photos:

British Special Forces:

The British Special Forces, particularly the Special Air Service (SAS), were the P72 Lightweight Combat Pack’s primary users.

Oman/Dhofar Rebellion (1970’s):

1970’s: British SAS member with a FN MAG wearing a 72 Pattern assault vest during the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman. [6]
1970’s: 22 Special Air Service in Oman. [7]

Falklands War (1982):

1982: Tony Hoare, a former SAS member and author of Born For War, on a boat in the Falklands. [8]
June 1982: F01 and 3 SBS, at San Carlos, Shortly before undertaking “Operation Brewers Arms” to clear the area between Mount Brisbane and Berkeley Sound, without tying down troops from 3 Commando Brigade. Finally, the team was responsible for coordinating the naval gunfire that supported the two-day ‘big push’ on the nights of 11/12 to 13/14 June. [9]

Some Special Boat Service (SBS) personnel used these vests during the Falklands campaign (1982).

Gulf War (1991):

1991: British Special Air Service soldier Andy Mcnab during the Gulf War. [10]
January 1991: Bravo Two Zero was the call sign of an eight-man British Army SAS patrol, deployed into Iraq during the First Gulf War. From left to right: Armstrong, Consiglio, MacGown (obscured), Lane, Coburn (obscured), Mitchell (obscured), Phillips, Pring (obscured). [11]
1991: 22 SAS detaining an Iraqi soldier deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. [12]

Later Use:

1992: British 22nd SAS and US Delta Force during a joint training mission [13]. The SAS trooper in the background on the far left wearing a beanie with goggles is arguably wearing a P72 vest.

Executive Outcomes:

1994: Fred Marafono with Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone, second from right. [14]

At least one Executive Outcomes contractor, Fred Marafono, a Fijian who was formerly in the British SAS, used a P72 vest in Sierra Leone. [14]

Call of Duty Black Ops 6:

Stone’s default skin in the game’s multiplayer uses a P72 vest. While it is accurate to the game’s early 1990’s setting, it probably would have been a better fit for Black Ops Cold War’s 1980’s setting.