11 minute read
GEAR: MAPA GEAR
IN A CONTINUING “WAR OF THE PATTERNS” IN THE WORLD OF CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT, ONE THAT IS SEEMINGLY FIERCER THAN EVER, FOR MANY AIRSOFTERS MULTICAM AND ITS DERIVATIVES RULE THE ROOST, WITH A WIDER AND WIDER POOL OF GEAR MAKERS CHOOSING THIS UBIQUITOUS PATTERN. HOWEVER, IF, LIKE BILL YOU FANCY SOMETHING JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAT FITS BOTH BLUFOR AND OPFOR REQUIREMENTS EQUALLY THEN YOU REALLY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE MAPA GEAR THAT’S NOW AVAILABLE FROM GUNFIRE!
Anyone that knows me will understand that I get quite excited when I discover a new camouflage pattern, and that my personal taste is a million miles away from that of the Multicam-clad “OPR8R”. I prefer effective multienvironment camouflage schemes that work in my favoured temperate conditions, and offer high levels of concealment… which is odd given that my style of play is still quite “direct action” oriented… I guess that my idea here is that I like to stay concealed until I’m ready to get my game on, and anything that helps me in that is greatly appreciated!
That said, I do go for “military patterns” (otherwise I might just end up like a character from “Duck Dynasty”!) and many of my favourite loadouts are centred around this theme; okay, I’m a huge fan of GreenZone, but there are other patterns out there that take my eye immediately as I can now, after many years of study, immediately recognise where such a
pattern would work best, and Polish MAPA has been on my personal radar for some considerable time, I’ve just never been able to get hold of a full set!
For those that follow camouflage developments closely as do I, back in 2017 Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) revealed a new pattern during the MSPO-2017 defence exhibition in Poland. PGZ unveiled it as a concept that formed part of a broader project called the “Dromader” Integrated Weapons and Equipment Carrying System. An integral part of this concept was the Polish MAPA pattern, and in total some 28 elements of the system, designed by PGZ’s Maskpol, were put on show.
But where has MAPA come from, and what has driven it? What we do know is that the initial MAPA (Multi-environmental Adaptive PAttern) was “natural hybrid”, a pattern designed to provide best concealment at close, mid and long range in temperate woodland, but what went before is worthy of mention. In the mid-90s the “woodland” wz.93 Pantera (Panther) pattern was introduced for all branches of the Polish Armed Forces after extensive trials with Grupa Reagowania OperacyjnoManewrowego (GROM). Sometimes called “presidential woodland” after Lech Walesa was seen wearing it, it was made up of black, brown and green shapes on a khaki background; in addition to a combat uniform, hats, helmet covers, tactical gear and field equipment were produced in the pattern.
Fast-forward to the early “noughties” and we saw a desert version of the standard wz93 Pantera pattern, called (according to the excellent fellows at Camopaedia) wz2000, and sometimes referred to as Snajper (Sniper) or Pantera Pustynna (Desert Panther). This design was of beige, tan and green shapes on a light tan background, and saw service with Polish forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Polish Army Special Forces began using a Multicam-like design called “Suez” in 2008 and again this saw use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Images later emerged of Polish Special Forces elements using ATACS (including ATACS iX) camouflage designs for specific operational deployments, so you could say that the SF units at least were able to specifically source the right pattern for their deployment AOs… black credit card anyone?
FUTURE WARRIOR, FUTURE PATTERN
In 2015, the Polish Armed began to conduct a search for a new camouflage design to replace wz93. Again, according to online research two patterns were submitted for consideration by the Wojskowy Instytut Techniki Inżynieryjnej (Military Institute of the Engineering Technology) as part of that aforementioned “Future Warrior” program. Two variants, intended for use in spring/summer and autumn/snowless winter respectively, were evaluated, but neither pattern was chosen for adoption by the Polish Ministry of Defence.
At the same time a separate family of camouflage designs was developed by then PhD student Maciej Dojlitko, and this family was known as MAPA. The “forest pattern” design consisted of layers of macro and micro patterns that effectively defeated the ability of an observer to detect or recognise the wearer, and this split-second reduction in detection or recognition could sometimes literally mean the difference between life and death in the real world! This comprehensive and hybrid combination of features helped the user avoid detection more effectively in their specified AO, which is really what wearing camouflage is all about isn’t it?
Although not officially adopted, the MAPA pattern was, and is, certainly both unique and effective, and the second generation of MAPA was introduced in 2018; this had three colour variations for woodland, transitional, and desert environments. The new versions, according
to the official spiel “were developed on the basis of a graphic design different from the original one, consisting of fuzzy elements (points of variable density) and sharp (spots and strokes). This treatment creates the impression of three-dimensionality and colour penetration that misleads the eye of the observer.”
What we do know is that the initial MAPA was a“natural hybrid”, a pattern designed to provide best concealment at close, mid and long range in temperate woodland. The collection of tactical uniforms and gear now available from GUNFIRE are produced by the specialist manufacturer MASKPOL SA and offer the user a simple, classic cut combined with the unique MAPA masking print.
TOTAL SOLUTIONS
GUNFIRE are now stocking the beginnings of a total camo solution in MAPA B “forest pattern”, and the starting range consists of both clothing and some basic gear. Using a durable fabric for military applications, a 50% cotton and 50% durable polyester mix reinforced with a rip-stop weave, means that you get a unique, bombproof fabric combination in the base clothing that is intended for hard use, and for the user that understands both the pattern, and the design of the clothing models.
First up is a simple T-Shirt, but then we get immediately to a classic pant, the CP-01 Combat pant, that features seven functional reinforced pockets, kneepad pockets, adjustable leg width, Karabiner holder, and an adjustable Velcro closure. Next is the matching CJ-01 Combat Jacket/shirt in a modern style that features five pockets, a two-way zipper, pockets for elbow pads, a chemlight holder, Velcro panels for attaching unit/team patches/ID, and Velcro adjustable cuffs. For the user that will be using body armour or a plate carrier, the CS-01 Combat Shirt (UBACS) has sleeves and yoke made of material reinforced with a Rip-Stop weave with the body made of breathable knitted fabric with a soft internal structure. Here you get two pockets on the shoulders, pockets for elbow pads, and again Velcro panels and Velcro adjustable cuffs. To round out the clothing there is also the SM-01 Soft Shell which is a slightly different material composition, but still features 50% Polyester, 50% Cotton with a ripstop weave, and this has three pockets, two-way zip, and Velcro closure on the cuffs; this garment is designed more as outerwear, and here the MAPA pattern appears over the shoulders and to the rear arm position, with a solid olive green in the main body.
Allied to the clothing is a range of accessories such as ballcaps, boonie hats, a Buff-like neck gaiter/ headwrap, and even some up-to-the-knee gaiters to protect the lower leg! In terms of kit there’s a radio pouch, dump pouch, and the Sparrow 30 Gen. II Backpack; this is a pack from Polish brand WISPORT that we’ve spoken about and have great respect for as it’s got some real “tried and tested” provenance behind it and you can check out my article on the brand by accessing Issue 109 in Back Issues on the website.
Suffice to say though that back in 2018 when I attended “WarZone 2018” thanks to our friends in Crete, I had the opportunity to try and a whole bunch of gear and as was reported back after the event the gear caused no worries at all! One of the items that we took with us was the “Sparrow” Patrol Pack from WISPORT. The Sparrow Gen II backpack is the latest generation of compact backpacks made of extremely
durable 500D Cordura
Nylon and developed in collaboration with Polish Military forces. The ACS (Air Comfort System) carrying system guarantees comfort and excellent ventilation of the back, ensuring the appropriate stiffness and sturdiness overall.
The main compartment of Sparrow comes with an internal hydration sleeve on the backside inner, a zippered pocket and multiple elastic loops for easy organisation. Additionally, above the sleeve pocket are a hook for the attachment of hydration system and a passage for the hydration hose or an antenna.
The pack features a front compartment with zip closure, and multiple quick release buckles allow the backpack to be quickly dropped when required. The side compression straps allow the pack to be adapted to the size of carried kit and prevent it from shifting inside which may cause unnecessary noise, discomfort and disturbance to balance. On the front of the pack and side panels are multiple MOLLE strap attachments points, which allows for mounting various MOLLE accessories.
Durable and lightweight, the Sparrow is perfect for carrying all you need to a full days skirmishing, and serves perfectly well as a MilSim patrol pack too!
THE CAMO-ISTS TAKE
I’ve been speaking for a long while and in depth about MAPA to specialist AA contributor and fellow camo-ist Lawrence who posted some details about MAPA on his own Strike-Hold! Blog way back about the then-new pattern, and he told me:
“Like it or loathe it, everybody’s into new camouflage these days. And while some countries are taking the path of least resistance and adopting MultiCam, or a derivative of it, other countries are taking a more in-depth approach. Poland is an example of the latter, although they do also seem to not be in much of a hurry about it. But perhaps the pace is about to pick up a bit on the back of the news that there is now a new indigenous-designed pattern entering the scene.
The pattern is called MAPA (Polish for “map”) and has been scientifically designed by “ASP post-graduate Mr. Maciej Dojlitko” to specifically match the terrain and vegetation found in Poland. According to the information we received today from SPECOPS Poland, the prime contractor for the Polish Army’s Future Soldier clothing and equipment, the camo has been designed as a family-of-patterns and that this is just the first prototype so there may well be some further tweaks!”
And the tweaks have now come! It’s my opinion that these durable products in a unique and effective pattern now available to airsofters will provide the user with performance and comfort, and will allow for long-term use in any, even extreme conditions, so I am really looking forward to where things go from here!
At this time GUNFIRE have a small yet functional range of clothing and gear in the MAPA pattern which shows some exceptional design features, but we are hoping this is just the beginning! As I write samples of the clothing are inbound for us to test fully, and I’ll return with a comprehensive evaluation report at a later date. As an OPFOR player I’m looking forward to putting together a loadout based on the MAPA clothing, perhaps with a nice FB Beryl or even a MSBS Grot (if only!), that will be the equal of the Multicam hordes, so watch this space! AA
