Ghillie suit

[entheogen]

Got slotted for Sniper School here in a little while.
Need to make a Ghillie suit.
I got a few ideas as to what I'm going to do.
Not sure about the base pattern, leaning towards multi-cam or ATACS FG.
This is for Benning (GA), summer time. Have not been there in a while, not exactly sure what vegetation is gonna be like.
Any ideas, pointers ?
Going to use older style Puss-pad (non-inflatable) for the bottom (chest - down).
Mosquito netting in the armpit areas for some airflow/ventilation.
Whatever else I come up with.

[Rattfink]

I made a ghillie suit once for ****s and giggles. I'm not a sniper (But a friend of mine who was gave it a seal of approval) but I learned a lot over the few hundred hours of work I put into it. I used old analog cammies I had lying around. Consider going with a one piece, like a flight or cvc suit in brown or OD. Sew a hood onto it or use an old boonie cover. Don't fret the color of the burlap toooo much before hand. You can always tie it on undyed and shoot color on it with a spray bottle full of rit if you need to. Shoe goo is a time saver. Sea bags make good knee and elbow reinforcements.

But won't building a suit be part of the course?

[Commander Shepard]

But won't building a suit be part of the course?

It is an item on the packing list, you have to bring it with you. You get plenty of time to work on it during the course and they'll tell you what modifications to make but you can't show up empty-handed.

PM sent entheogen.

[Rattfink]

It is an item on the packing list, you have to bring it with you. You get plenty of time to work on it during the course and they'll tell you what modifications to make but you can't show up empty-handed.

PM sent entheogen.

Ah ha. That makes more sense I suppose.

[entheogen]

PM aent back. Should I glue a netting on the back, or 'stich' it on with fishing line ?

[Olf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sULe0Sc4-Gw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noQ-lFDKw-8
summarize these 2 an you learn alot about what to do.
personally i find the first one the most educational and i would use a jumpsuite.

[jzamp]

I'm not a sniper, but I did make a ghillie from scratch with the help of a former SS.
so here are my 2 cents hopefully you'll find them helpfull
I sew the flight suit myself, used 2x2 netting, burlap and shoe glue.
after trying it i would say to stick with trousers and blouse combo. it fits better (and it pulls less in low crawl), you can take the top/heavy part off while waiting, and it's easier to customized/change/repair.
also consider having a spare blouse with a hood and not just the boonie cover such as


as far as base pattern; since you will have to cut, modify, add padding and such using an expensive pattern might not be worth it, Olive green or coyote brown and some spray paint work just as well.

let us know how it goes!

[flanker7]

Only word of advice by me is to keep it as cool and light as possible. A ghillie swit is a HOT peace of gear. And summer will make it even hotter.

Been there, made the mistake, passing on the wisdom

Summer in Greece can get very hot and humid. I made a flight swit g

[James]

In 29 Palms our Scout Snipers often used the old desert night parka shell as a foundation for a ghillie suit.

You could be a smart @ss and order a commercial hunting ghillie from Cabelas, show up with that, haha.

[entheogen]

James, I thought about it, but realised that I can custom make one with all the things I want, lol.

Anyway, here are some things I've gotten so far.



Went with used Multi cam (ACU, 1 size larger than I usually wear) just 'cause it's cheaper than brand new ATACS, and I don't feel like waiting on shipping.
Gonna get rid of all the velcro. Cut and glue puss pad on the chest, arms, legs areas. Mosquito netting is gonna go around arm pit areas and maybe groin (still need to figure it out) for some extra airflow. Netting is obviously gonna be on the back. I still need to get glue, and burlap + dyes+"sand bag".
Will update after I make more progress.

[jzamp]

In 29 Palms our Scout Snipers often used the old desert night parka shell as a foundation for a ghillie suit.

You could be a smart @ss and order a commercial hunting ghillie from Cabelas, show up with that, haha.

the pic i posted is pretty much that...

@entheogen nice! have fun and good luck!

[tommyd]

James, I thought about it, but realised that I can custom make one with all the things I want, lol.

Anyway, here are some things I've gotten so far.



Went with used Multi cam (ACU, 1 size larger than I usually wear) just 'cause it's cheaper than brand new ATACS, and I don't feel like waiting on shipping.
Gonna get rid of all the velcro. Cut and glue puss pad on the chest, arms, legs areas. Mosquito netting is gonna go around arm pit areas and maybe groin (still need to figure it out) for some extra airflow. Netting is obviously gonna be on the back. I still need to get glue, and burlap + dyes+"sand bag".
Will update after I make more progress.

I think the Multi cam is an excellent base and the netting will work well for mixed tone of burlap strips. Don't worry too much about saturation stripping on the camo. You are going to be supplementing with natural cover for your stalk. Attaching a lot of branches, leafs, and such will really help.

[entheogen]

Did a little more work on it last night.
Got all the Burlap painted/dyed, Pants now have no cargo pockets (they were in the way).
Fu**ed up my top by using glue. Gonna go with duffle bag instead of puss pad. I might put puss pad inserts underneath the duffle bag fabric, not sure yet.
Glue seems to be working good on boonie hat.
Still need to add netting to back of pants, and get a new top, lol.

[jzamp]

Did a little more work on it last night.
Got all the Burlap painted/dyed, Pants now have no cargo pockets (they were in the way).
Fu**ed up my top by using glue. Gonna go with duffle bag instead of puss pad. I might put puss pad inserts underneath the duffle bag fabric, not sure yet.
Glue seems to be working good on boonie hat.
Still need to add netting to back of pants, and get a new top, lol.

looking good!
have you thought about glueing the puss pad inside? it could be more durable and less chance the edges will catch on something...

[entheogen]

@jzamp
That's what I was thinking. Have the puss pad underneath duffle bag fabric (glued/stitched on), or you mean to have it on the inside of the suit ?