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Post by lew on May 10, 2021 11:11:24 GMT -5
I have a pair of those, but I would call those a "no-go" on account of both the sole and fabric colors. The green of the upper has too much gray in it. Definitely not close to olive drab.
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Post by Kenneth on May 11, 2021 6:26:40 GMT -5
Since most of the photos from Indochina of French troops are black & white, is it for certain that those canvas shoes were actually OD and only in one shade at that? And likewise, did they fade with washing or use? Also, were they issue items or were they optional private purchase items?
I do know from visiting museums, including the French Army museum in Paris, that once an item is on display, it takes on an unreal appearance and somehow never looks quite like something that was ever issued, used or worn or in the case of clothing, would fit a living person.
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Post by lew on May 11, 2021 11:29:08 GMT -5
Granted, most pictures are black and white, particularly for Indochina, but the information on color comes from various official French sources, company histories, and reference materials (Foreign Legion in Indo and Algeria, Paras in Indo and Algeria, and the like). Palladium, Broussart, Wisart, etc... were focused on military contracts , so it would stand to reason that the dominant colorways would be earth tones.
For the quick and easy, issued pataugas were OD, or some very similar shade. Sole colors could be black or dark green, with the latter becoming more prevalent as time progressed. The tan upper/sole was available for private purchase.
My OTAN Palladiums have faded quite a bit, mostly from washing. They're nearing mint green on the fabric. I'm sure the period pataugas behaved similarly, especially after repeated immersion. Although, most troops would probably wear them out before that, with pataugas typically lasting two months (Source: The First Helicopter War: Logistics and Mobility in Algeria, 1954-1962, Charles R. Schrader, 1999).
As for other colors, I've seen nothing to indicate that there were other options for pataugas, but I think it's possible. Other brands of sneakers were available, and some were seen in French use. Those other brands were offered in different colors, black Bata "takkies" were Rhodesian Army standard, so I don't think it's implausible that commercial pataugas of that period could be, too. However, until proven otherwise, I'm sticking with "no".
I'll post up a list of the books I have on-hand. I haven't cataloged all the digital sources, though.
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Post by earlymb on May 11, 2021 20:01:50 GMT -5
I guess Blanco can be used to turn the canvas from basically any colour into OD, but that's useless if the rubber parts are the wrong colour.
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Post by lew on May 11, 2021 22:29:17 GMT -5
And no one in their right mind wants to mess with Blanco.
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Jacques
Entraînement
"Paruru te fenua" - Devise de la Regiment d'infanterie de marine du Pacifique (RIMAP)
Posts: 44
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Post by Jacques on May 12, 2021 3:37:17 GMT -5
Hey again! I've been looking all over for some frog skin camo (army or USMC p44). Am I all out of luck in finding some repros that are not out of stock or will not cost me an arm and a leg?
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Post by earlymb on May 12, 2021 6:26:28 GMT -5
And no one in their right mind wants to mess with Blanco.
It's actually a tip I got from a member of a British Indochina re-enactment group
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Post by lew on May 12, 2021 13:09:11 GMT -5
And no one in their right mind wants to mess with Blanco. It's actually a tip I got from a member of a British Indochina re-enactment group I've no doubt it would work, but "British reenactors"? Say no more.
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Post by lew on May 12, 2021 13:31:05 GMT -5
Hey again! I've been looking all over for some frog skin camo (army or USMC p44). Am I all out of luck in finding some repros that are not out of stock or will not cost me an arm and a leg? It looks like fleabay might be your only option. I didn't see any stores with frogskin in-stock.
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Post by craigtx on May 13, 2021 11:06:02 GMT -5
Yes.
Craig
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Post by lew on May 21, 2021 16:17:09 GMT -5
On the topic of frogskin camo, that stuff was easily available just a few years back. Crazy to see it evaporate.
Jacques: Send me a PM. I have a set of At The Front USMC P42 jacket and trousers that are surplus to my Indo impressions. I could easily be persuaded to part with them.
Back to Pataugas, Palladium's current offering of the Hi Pampa in "dusky green" is on the mark for the fabric color, although the sole is a little bit lighter than the dark green of the OTAN variant. Close enough for our purposes where originals are mostly unserviceable and repros limited.
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Post by earlymb on May 25, 2021 4:47:21 GMT -5
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Post by lew on May 25, 2021 9:11:19 GMT -5
I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that they are made by Mil-Tec. If that's the case, they're good enough, but a tier below Palladium in terms of fit and quality. I have two pairs of the Mil-Tecs, one of which I use for yard work. They're holding up well. La Tranchee is first rate. Melt the "Operation Castor" script off the roundel on the ankle, and I think those would be fine.
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Post by earlymb on May 26, 2021 5:03:57 GMT -5
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Post by lew on May 26, 2021 11:15:50 GMT -5
Correct. Those are the ones I have. Decent enough. I came across mention that Tranchee's are made by Mil-Tec, but I don't remember where that was, so I'll leave it as speculation.
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Jacques
Entraînement
"Paruru te fenua" - Devise de la Regiment d'infanterie de marine du Pacifique (RIMAP)
Posts: 44
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Post by Jacques on Nov 17, 2021 1:09:33 GMT -5
Hey! do any of you guys know the quality of SM Wholesales P44 frogskin? They have some in stock right now in my size and I'm not sure if I should get a pair because I cant find reviews on them. There is also another retailer called Bronson MFG.Co which makes them aswell. If anyone has any knowledge with these 2 brands please let me know!
Merci Beaucoup les gars!
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