PenCott-Badlands “Slangvel” – reproduction South African Airborne Forces Smock

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Former Paratrooper, and Service-Disabled Vietnam Vet, Slangvel took his nickname / eBay trader name from the nickname given by South African paras to their distinctive local version of the traditional British Airborne Forces smock.  “Slangvel” is Afrikaans for snake skin and was given to the smock due of its use of leather (later changed to canvas) as reinforcing material on the smocks pockets, shoulders and elbows.

An authentic original “Slangvel” smock will set you back a fair chunk of change – if you can find one for sale – but luckily (Mr.) Slangvel has started making modern reproductions of these iconic garments.  The new ones are also being offered in a limited choice of solid colors and modern camouflage patterns, use 500D Cordura nylon for the reinforced areas, and will be available for sale soon on Slangvel’s eBay page.

One of the real highlights of the repro “Slangvel” smocks is that they will be available in the PenCott family of camouflage patterns.  In fact, Mr. Slangvel was inspired right from the beginning of the project to use the PenCott-Badlands pattern as it would be such a great camouflage pattern for the type of arid terrain found in southern Africa.

 

And so without further adieu we present the first picture to be made available of a repro “Slangvel” smock from (Mr.) Slangvel….

And here is a close-up shot of the pocket detail, showing the use of “Badlands” pattern 500D Cordura as reinforcing material.

(Mr.) Slangvel also told us that he’s going to be making reproductions of the distinctive South African Airborne Forces helmet cover, and possibly the “Slangvel” trousers that matched the smocks as well.

Slangvel is also famous for his Recce-style boonie hats, M43-style field caps and repro African para caps – all of which are available in all three PenCott patterns as well.

  

Keep an eye on his eBay page for products and availability.

PenCott camo + SOD Gear x SEAL + Medal-of-Honor = AWESOME!

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(Photo copyright 2011 Yamil R. Sued.)

Don’t know who Craig “Sawman” Sawyer is?  How’s this for a bio:

• U.S. Navy SEAL (SEAL Team One & DEVGRU)
• Combat Veteran, decorated for “Heroic Service”
• Counter-Terrorist Operations Expert
• U.S. Marine & SEAL Advanced Sniper Instructor
• U.S. Federal Air Marshal & Manager
• High-Threat Mobile Security Expert
• Surveillance/Counter-Surveillance
• Hand to Hand/Combat Fighting Expert
• International Experience in 54 Countries
• Extensive Cross-Training w/World’s Top Units

Craig has also featured in the History Channel’s “Sniper:  Deadliest Missions”, been an expert commentator on several news stories, and is a regular in-house shooting coach on the History Channel’s popular show “Top Shot”.  Craig also works as a technical expert advising Hollywood films and TV show – check out his website:  www.tacticalinsider.com

But, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, check out these photos of Craig with his buddy Dakota Meyer rocking PenCott-Badlands.

(Photos copyright 2011 Yamil R. Sued.)

In case you’re not familiar with the name Dakota Meyer – let us fill you in a bit…   On September 8, 2009, near the village of Ganjgal, Sergeant Dakota L. Meyer learned that three U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman were missing after being ambushed by a group of insurgents. Meyer charged into an area known to be inhabited by insurgents and under enemy fire. He eventually found all four dead and stripped of their weapons, body armor, and radios. With the help of some friendly Afghan soldiers, he moved the bodies to a safer area where they could be extracted. During his search, Meyer “personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe.”

On November 6, 2010, the Commandant of the Marine Corps General James Amos told reporters during a visit to Camp Pendleton, California, that a living Marine had been nominated for the Medal of Honor. Two days later, the Marine Corps Times, an independent newspaper covering U.S. Marine operations, reported that the unnamed individual was Sergeant Dakota L. Meyer, citing anonymous sources. CNN confirmed the story independently two days later.

Sergeant Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House on September 15, 2011.   (Wikipedia)

On a final note, the eagle-eyed among you might have noticed that the cut and style of the jacket / anorak that Dakota is wearing in the first photograph doesn’t match up with the style of either SOD Gear’s Spectre Shirt nor their Operator Field Parka…  That’s because its a new sniper suit specially-designed by SOD Gear…

(SOD Gear Sniper Suit)

To Craig and Dakota we say a loud and resounding THANK YOU!

SPECOPS of Poland to offer full 2012 product line-up in PenCott camouflage

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To kick things off, here are some publicity photos of their new BS-2 Combat Shirt featuring the PenCott-GreenZone, PenCott-Badlands and PenCott-Sandstorm camouflage patterns.

  

  

  

 

The SPECOPS BS-2 Combat Shirt features ripstop NYCO IRR material for the sleeves, collar and zipper panels, whilst the body is made from POLARTEC PowerDry thermo-active and Fire Resistant material.  The Combat Shirt (BS-2) matches the MBS-2 combat uniform standard.

All MBS-2 garments are sewn with AMANN threads, and use YKK zippers, and Velcro-brand hook-and-loop fastners.  SPECOPS also features the use of D30 impact protection products in their combat clothing.

SPECOPS combat clothing in the PenCott patterns is being offered in Poland to both civilian and military clients – and is also currently undergoing field trials with Polish ISAF components in Afghanistan.

All SPECOPS items and uniforms will be available in PenCott in 2012 – and come with a 3 year SPECOPS Combat Warranty..

www.eu.specops.pl