1964 - 1973 VIETNAM WAR NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY (NVA), VIET CONG (VC), AND VIETCONG MAIN FORCE (VCMF) INFANTRY UNIFORMS AND GEAR

[whittond]

Folks,  MSgt Dan Whitton USMC(Ret) here again wanting to share some examples of NVA, VC Infantry Related uniform variations and field gear variations.  This part of my collection was to enhance my Vietnam War era USMC Infantry & Recon Displays, as well as my Vietnam US Marine Advisor Displays.  These NVA & VC related uniforms and field gear items are a combination of direct USMC and US Army Vietnam Veteran acquired or yard sale, garage sale, flea market, swap meet, gun show, militaria collector show acquired.  Half of the collection acquired by me during the mid to late 1980s.  The other half acquired from Matt Siler's extensive personal 1970s - 1990s NVA/VC veteran acquired collection spares mid 1980s through early 1990s and some recent additions he dug out for me from his former collection that his Brother has been safeguarding.

 

I am still in the hunt for the following 1960s Viet Cong Main Force soldier Uniform examples:   Tan / Clay Brown VCMF Shirt/Trousers,  Black VCMF Shirt/Trousers,  Blue VCMF Shirt/Trousers, Green VCMF Shirt/Trousers.  Also still hunting for a 1960s NVA Mustard Khaki uniform.    Will post photos of my wanted examples at the end of this posting.

 

This first image is of the current NVA/VC Infantry display.

 

The additional photos will show each of these display figures individually from a front, rear, left and right side views with basic description.

 

Enjoy,  Semper Fi,  Dan

 

 

1964-1967 NVA Infantry Officer

 

Uniform is a 1964-1967 BONE TAN variation, Captured in 1964

Boonie is a 1964-67 BONE TAN short brim variation with plastic liner between cloth of crown.

Holster and Magazine Pouch are an early war Star marked brass snapped, Brown Leather, ChiCom Type 54 Pistol rig set.

Pistol belt is an early war NVA Officer's, heavy cast brass Star Buckle, and Brown Leather belt.

Compass Pouch and Compass are early war ChiCom variations.

Map Case is an early war NVA Officer's, heavier weight non-waterproofed canvas material, Tan cloth.

Binoculars are 1960s Communist mfg.

Canteen is early war, 1964 dated cap, shoulder carry variation.

Shoes are early war, Mustard Tan Canvas, ChiCom combat shoes.

 

 

1966-1973 NVA Infantry Officer

 

Uniform is a 1966-1973 OLIVE GREEN variation, Captured in 1969.  (Keep in mind, most folks identify these uniforms as Reed Green, but there are Three distinct color shades: Olive Green, Olive Brown, true Reed Green).  They are very difficult to tell which color variation unless placed side by side, then the color shade differences jump out.

Boonie is a 1964-68 BROWN medium brim variation with plastic liner between cloth of crown.

Holster and Magazine Pouch are a mid-late war stud snapped, Brown Leather, ChiCom Type 54 Pistol rig set.

Pistol belt is an mid-late war NVA Officer's, light weight brass Star Buckle, and Brown Leather belt.

Compass Pouch and Compass are mid-late war ChiCom variations.

First Aid kit pouch is a mid-late war Green rubberized light weight canvas variation.

Map Case is an early-late war NVA Officer's, lighter weight waterproofed canvas material, Tan cloth.

Binoculars are 1960s Communist mfg.

Canteen is mid war, with TAN light weight canvas belt mounted carrier variation.

Shoes are late war, Olive Green Canvas, ChiCom combat shoes.

 

 

1964-1967 NVA Infantry Enlisted Soldier

 

Uniform is a 1964-1967 BROWN variation.  Capture date unknown.

Pith Helmet is a 1964-67 BROWN early war helmet (Often considered TAN).

AK-47 Magazine Pouch is an early war, heavy weight Tan Canvas side carry, shoulder strapped, 5 magazine pouch.

Cartridge belt is an early war NVA enlisted, heavy cast nickeled small Star Buckle (1965 dated), and Tan Canvas belt.

Grenade Pouch is an early war heavy weight Tan Canvas Long Handle 4 grenade pouch with Olive Brown cotton shoulder strapped ChiCom variation.

Grenades are Long Handle Smooth Frag Head 1965 dated ChiCom grenades.

First Aid pouch is light weight TAN waterproofed canvas.

Canteen is early war, 1964 dated cap, shoulder carry variation.

Shoes are early war, Mustard Tan Canvas, ChiCom combat shoes.

 

 

1966-1973 NVA Infantry Enlisted Soldier

 

Uniform is a 1966-1973 OLIVE BROWN variation.  (Keep in mind, most folks identify these uniforms as Reed Green, but there are Three distinct color shades: Olive Green, Olive Brown, true Reed Green).  They are very difficult to tell which color variation unless placed side by side, then the color shade differences jump out. Captured 1968.

Pith Helmet is a 1966-73 OLIVE BROWN mid-late war helmet (Often considered REED GREEN for same reason as uniforms). Captured 1971.

AK-47 Magazine Pouch is an early war, heavy weight Tan Canvas front chest carry,  4 Adjuster Buckle shoulder strapped, 3 magazine pouch.

Cartridge belt is a mid to late war NVA enlisted, silver coated large Star Buckle (undated), and OLIVE GREEN Canvas belt.

Grenade Pouch is a mid to late war, heavy weight OLIVE GREEN Canvas Short Handle 2 grenade pouch with removed shoulder strap, ChiCom variation.

Grenades are Short Handle Smooth Frag Head 1967 dated ChiCom grenades.

First Aid pouch is heavy weight OLIVE GREEN web.

Rope is common Vietnamese utility rope.

Entrenching Tool is standard NVA shovel with added wrist cord.  Captured 1968 in Hue City.

Canteen is early war, with TAN heavy weight canvas pouch belt carry variation.

AK47 Bayonet and Sheath, Communist mfg. Captured 1971.

Shoes are mid to late war, REED GREEN Canvas, ChiCom combat shoes.

 

 

1964-1967 NVA Infantry Enlisted Soldier

 

Uniform is a 1964-1967 LIGHT GREY variation.  Unknown Capture date.

Helmet is a 1965 dated Communist mfg, OLIVE GREEN helmet with TAN cotton Camo netting.

SKS Rifle Ammunition Pouch is an early war, heavy weight Tan Canvas front chest carry,  2 Adjuster Buckle shoulder strapped.

Cartridge belt is an early war NVA enlisted, heavy cast nickeled Small Star Buckle (1965 dated), and TAN Canvas belt.

Grenade Pouch is an early war, heavy weight TAN Canvas Long Handle 2 grenade pouch with removed shoulder strap, ChiCom variation.

Grenade is Long Handle Smooth Frag Head 1966 dated ChiCom grenade.

Mess Kit pouch is heavy weight TAN web, used as a utility pouch.

Rope is common Vietnamese utility rope.

Hammock is GREEN cotton canvas with tie off ropes.

Canteen is early war, with TAN heavy weight canvas pouch belt carry variation under Tan Canvas shoulder carry strapping ChiCom variation.

NVA Fighting Knife with TAN Canvas sheath.

Shoes are early war, TAN Canvas, ChiCom combat shoes.

 

 

1964-1967 NVA Infantry Enlisted Soldier

 

Uniform is a 1964-1967 KHAKI TAN variation.  Unknown Capture date.

Boonie Hat is a early war 1964-67 BROWN cotton with plastic liner between cloth crown.

SKS Rifle Ammunition Pouch is an early war, heavy weight Tan Canvas front chest carry,  4 Adjuster Buckle shoulder strapped.

Cartridge belt is an early war NVA enlisted, heavy cast aluminum & nickeled Small Star Buckle (undated), and TAN Canvas belt.

Grenade Pouch is an mid to late war, heavy weight TAN Canvas Short Handle 2 grenade pouch with TAN shoulder strap, ChiCom variation.

Grenade is Short Handle Smooth Frag Head undated ChiCom grenade.

Canteen is early war, with TAN light weight canvas pouch belt carry ChiCom variation.

First Aid pouch is a GREEN rubberized light weight canvas.

Shoeless for now.

 

 

1964-1967 Viet Cong Infantry Enlisted Soldier

 

Uniform is a 1964-1973 CLAY BROWN light weight cotton shirt variation with BLACK light weight cotton trousers.  Unknown Capture date.

Sun Helmet is a 1964-73 Reed mfg Sun Helmet with Blue cotton cloth chin strap, Dark Green Ground Cloth waterproof cover with Tan camo net with multicolored attached cloth camo scrum.

K50M Sub-Machinegun Ammunition Pouch is an early war, heavy weight Tan Canvas side carry,  shoulder strapped, ChiCom variation.

Cartridge belt is an early war VC enlisted,  Small Star Brass Buckle, and TAN Canvas Diamond Stitched belt.

Grenade Pouch is an early war, heavy weight TAN Canvas Long Handle 2 grenade pouch with shoulder strap, ChiCom variation.

2 Grenades are Short Handle Serrated Frag Head jungle made grenades.  1 Grenade is jungle made Serrated Head non-handle egg style.

First Aid pouch is jungle made medium weight Green canvas, used as a utility pouch.

Canteen is early war (Late 1950s - 1963), with TAN shoulder carry strap ChiCom variation.

Fighting Knife is a captured mid war US pilots survival knife & sheath.

Entrenching Tool is an NVA Shovel with replaced handle (Tree Branch) and shoulder carry Tan cotton cord.

Shoes are HoChiMinn Sandals.

 

 

THE FOLLOWING 1960s ERA, VIETNAM, VIET CONG MAIN FORCE UNIFORMS ARE WANTED TO HELP COMPLETE MY COLLECTION:

 

THE FIRST IMAGE SET:   TAN / CLAY KHAKI VIET CONG MAIN FORCE UNIFORM SET

 

THE SECOND IMAGE SET:  VIET CONG MAIN FORCE, BLUE UNIFORM SHIRT AND BLACK UNIFORM TROUSERS (MATCHING BLUE SHIRT & TROUSERSWOULD BE BEST)

 

 

THE THIRD IMAGE SET:  VIET CONG MAIN FORCE, BLACK SHIRT AND TROUSERS SET

 

 

THE FORTH UNIFORM SET:  NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY,  MUSTARD KHAKI UNIFORM SHIRT AND TROUSERS

 

 

[Gavin D.]

Amazing collection with an excellent display! The bone tan variation is very cool. Thank you for sharing.

 

Would love to see close ups of this helmet if possible: Sun Helmet is a 1964-73 Reed mfg Sun Helmet with Blue cotton cloth chin strap, Dark Green Ground Cloth waterproof cover with Tan camo net with multicolored attached cloth camo scrum.

[earlymb]

What an amazing collection!

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Very impressive collection and great displays!

[ScottG]

  That is a great look at the evolution of the NVA and VC through their uniforms. I am currently selling off many NVA items from the collection of a friend who passed suddenly back in December. Sadly, I don't have the uniforms you need but I do have a lot of gear and other uniforms. Thanks for sharing these!   Scott

[toitoine66]

So you are the guy who stole all the asian mannequins of the market 😄

 

Great stuff very impresive