Military Tuesday : Kamouflage.net
Kamouflage.net is a site dedicated to the collection of camouflage patterns used in military uniforms. I was originally googling for information on the colour schemes for Luftwaffe nightfighters (nachtjager) in WWII but ended up here somehow.
As of now, this site already contains a total of 235 (!) different patterns with design notes as well as information on the service history for each pattern. Most patterns are accompanied by a photo of the actual uniform in use which is helpful in visualizing their effectiveness since some of these patterns really defy the normal idea of camouflage like this 2004 PSG Desert camouflage pattern used by the Presidential Security Group of the Philippines.
© Getty Images
Kamouflage.net also hosts several interesting articles, especially the one on the new-fangled “digital” camouflage patterns as well as the military applications of crypsis (study of disguise and concealment techniques in nature).
You can either browse the pattern database by thumbnails or by country or geographical region. Most patterns are utilitarian in design and colour but there are some patterns which look downright bizarre like this 1968 KLMK pattern from the ex-Soviet Union (nicknamed ‘Sun Bunnies’).
© Kamouflage.net
While browsing through the database via the thumbnail view, I was intrigued by the fact that despite the distinct characteristics of each pattern, it’s still rather hard to distinguish between uniforms using different patterns intended for the same environment – I can’t even tell the differences between the 1984 British DPM with the Russian Artikul C 193 (see previous analysis of E3 2007 Call of Duty 4 Trailer).
If camouflage wallpapers are your thing, check out the Free Stuff section of Kamouflage.net where you can dress your desktops using any of the 20 different camouflage patterns available, from the unique Swedish M/90 splinter pattern (not only on uniforms but also on the Saab 37 Viggen) to the Polish “Leopard” pattern. I’m still amazed that seemingly random patches of colour can tile so seamlessly together.
© Kamouflage.net
Visit www.kamouflage.net.
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There are two patterns more incredible than the ones you shown here.
The first is the old swedish pattern: straight lines and zones, coin dots…
The other is the urban/swiss pattern used exclusively by Vatican Swiss Guard, believe it or not.
Hi Damiano, thanks for the comment.
The Vatican Swiss Guard pattern sounds interesting, I’ll go read up on that