Armor vest eval by some group in southern Cali......pix

[SMGLee]

I was down south of Los Angeles and went to hang out with a few friends. This vest popped up and I got to take some detail pictures of it. No manufacture name nor does the vest had any tag anywhere on the vest or on the soft armor panels...This best is clean.

here are some detail pictures.....PLEASE don't ask me who made it, i have no IDEA!

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040502.jpg
Frontal view with the rubber covered quick release pull cord. the overall shape and design somewhat reminds me of a Crye...

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040512.jpg
Pull cord tugged into the vest

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040503.jpg
Front panel with cummerbund

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040504.jpg
Top portion of the front panel can be pull down to expose the two fast buckle and a small pocket.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040506.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040507.jpg
Back panel

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040508.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040509.jpg
the rear section of the pull cord and how the entire vest are put together....so pulling the pull cord will release the front panel, back panel, and the cummerbund into individual pieces.

http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040510.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040515.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/clt2/huge/P1040511.jpg
Soft armor panels, the vest will also take front and rear hard plates, but no provision for side plates.


Enjoy

[Hammer27]

Looks like a Diamondback Tactical FAPC or one of their older Predator vests; maybe something from Mayflower?

I'm leaning towards DBT but the lack of slot pouch makes me wonder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iocIwEDDqGc

[SMGLee]

Its not a DBT, look t the way the shoulder straps are attached, lack of slot pouches and no side hard plate pouches....I still have no idea...LOL

[James]

I like the shoulder straps - it's like an LBV with armor plates.

Chen, did this belong to one of your SOF acquaintances? Sometimes they get custom, unlabeled stuff, and sometimes unit riggers put stuff together or modify existing designs.

[Lasse]

It looks like some high end custom gear. I'd put a little money on Vel Tye.

[SMGLee]

James, you are correct, it does belong to one of my go fast friends. But he did mention the rig came straight from a manufacture but he just can recall them. I have asked him to look into it when he has some free time.

[Catch22]

It looks like some high end custom gear. I'd put a little money on Vel Tye.

VelTye usually uses Heat Welding for their armor packages (from pieces that got to us) and those are wrapped and stitched. Divisible front flap is IIRC a TAG idea, not neccassarly patented, so this might be a hint. Anyways - the design is quite interesting if not a bit overcomplicated with the QR elements in the back. Thank's for sharing Chen, gave me and my colleagues some food for thought.

Ah, and it looks the side plates are supposed to be placed in some sort of wraparound pockets held in place by that velcro in the inner cummerbund sides (ie. plate comes on the outside, but its fastened on the inside) to prevent sagging that happens when it's just put on the outside by means of PALS webbing.

[knutti]

I would bet my money on Armorsmith's SPC.

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Hawk/Hawk-Donning-Photos.pdf

[SMGLee]

I would bet my money on Armorsmith's SPC.

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Hawk/Hawk-Donning-Photos.pdf

Bingo, thanks for the heads up!



"The Hawk," manufactured by Armorsmith is a scalable quick release armor carrier. The company that was in production of this new product is out of business now. A small run of production models were made before this company was closed, and I guess this is one of them that was flowing around NSW.

This carrier was developed and tested by the assistance of deployed Spec Ops personnel. This carrier holds ESAPI plate sizes up through XL, it has a single point quick release cable in case you need immediate extraction. It is supposed to be both water and flame resistant.

As of now, I guess with the company out of business, the eval unit is just what it is. From what i have seen, I really like this vest and I am disappointed that this product never got off the ground.

[Jippo]

But at $700 per plate carrier?! No wonder they are out of business...

[SMGLee]

at 700.00, it would include the Lvl 3A soft armor panels. the vest by itself is around 350.00.

I heard the designer of this vest in now working at Proper.

[Bacon]

Well it's still available on their website...

http://www.bulletproofme.com/TACTICAL_Body_Armor.shtml#Hawk

[Jippo]

at 700.00, it would include the Lvl 3A soft armor panels. the vest by itself is around 350.00.


In that case, I'm interested in it too. :)