Are there any original or creative things that you have done to your ghillie to make it bettersuit your needs? I mean things that are not usually done, i.e. mission specific modifications, or perminant things that most people wouldn't think of.

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Jesse Foust

Not much, it is a piece of crap, as it should be. A G-suit is an over-rated piece of equipment that has very limited practical use. It does have a place out there, but it can be more of a problem than it is worth. Padding on the elbows and knees, hoops for you thumbs (so it doesn't ride up on your elbows). After you finish building it, it is a good idea to tie it to the back of a vehicle, and drag it down some dirt road. Vegetation from your area should make up more than 50% of your suit. Don't overdo it, you will look like Chewbacca. Be careful of flames, they burn but quick!

I know they burn, I used some leftover shredded burlap from mine to make fire starter by sending it through repeted cycles in the dryer and collecting it out of the lint trap.

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Jesse Foust

[This message has been edited by Jesse (edited 12-01-2000).]

IM GOING TO TURN MY BDU TOP IN SIDE OUT. REMOVE THE LOWER POCKETS AND RE PLACE ONE ON THE UPPER SLEEVE FOR EASY ACCESS ALSO I MY PUT THE OTHER POCKET ON THE INSIDE REAR.
SKINNER

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"SUCK IT UP AND DRIVE ON"

Why turn it inside out if you are moving all the pockets anyway?

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Jesse Foust

JUST THE LOWER POCKETS. ITS SOMETHING IM TOYING WITH RIGHT NOW. I TRIED IT LAST NIGHT AND ITS A PAIN TO ****ON UP. IT WAS A SUGGESTION THAT I SAW SOMEWHERE BUT, I MAY NOT DO IT.
SKINNER

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"SUCK IT UP AND DRIVE ON"

Hi Jesse;

The best thing I had the riggers put in my suit was a vent in the back of the jacket. had a rectangular hole cut below the shoulder blades and then strong no seeum netting sewn in, had the same done to the top of the boonie hat...much cooler now. also had webbing sewn around waist in jacket to attach holster and other light items inside the jacket with TA50 clips. For an item used less than 10% of the time, still need to be a comfy home when it is used.

One thing I did do different is I used the 6 color desert BDUs as a base all pockets removed from jacket(they'd be under the skid plate anyway)with two relocated to the upper arms above elbow and forearm pads, trousers all pockets useable with padding and leg skids sewn to allow their use. The idea of the 6 color desert is like an animals belly, light in color to help lighten the shadow under you. Plus most of the stuff you'll be stalking in is more tans and browns than green. The addition of thumb loops, stirrups, and loops at the bottom of the jacket(run 550 cord through them front and rear for a ruck strap to keep jacket down like strap on Brit smock)this keeps the whole thing down when in reverse gear, and completes the base suit.

While on the subject of the Brit Smock The british Sniper Smock is a great item, has padded forearms/elbows, upper arm sling clips(both arms), padded shoulders, para crotch strap, bottom pockets located at the sides(so not under you), knitted cuffs(keeps creepy thingies out), and has ghillie loops already on it.The snaps for pockets and such are built like tanks, and has a heavy zip front closure with snap wind flap. Have used one for quite awhile and have to say you'll use it more than any ghillie suit. I team mine up with a boonie ghillied up, and you travel light and when you want to blend in with the rest of a patrol ya just remove the burlap and, viola! Ya look normal! Well some of us will look normal:eyeroll: It's a great piece of gear and much more useful than the ghillie.

A ghillie is a must have item for a sniper, but it's also the least used item. Taking from the British a set of BDUs with several well placed nylon flat sewn loops in the right locations will serve you more and better...and with a lot less gear to carry Beats the heck outta the cutting slits in your BDUs to loop your camo...hate a "Get the heck outta Dodge" with my shorts blowing in the wind To copy the sling clips, the new quick cuff sling's cuff can be sewn to the upper arm with a couple loops of thread to keep it from moving(get a brown one not the shoot me black). Plus this also looks "normal" to your counterpart in the bush, just another GI. May not be as "glamorous" as a Berenger suit but does the job.

Just a couple of ideas, hope they give you some food for thought.

Take care...Jim

Jim, where can I see one of those smocks? Thanks

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Jesse Foust

Hi Jesse;

The only company I know of that will ship to US is Silvermans at http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ Just checked their site they have it pictured under Brit Army Jackets. This is where I picked mine up at while over there, they are a reliable source and deal a lot with the Brit military.

Take care...Jim

Don't forget to leave a hole for the hose of your Camelbak. Those things get kinda warm and life would suck without a little hydration. Sethro Out.

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I built my ghillie following all the "rules" Then went out with my buddie and we laid down and took turns criticizing each others suits. When we do this again we will remember to bring scissors. What we learned most was to stay light around the veil area, this is where we made most of the changes. We were fortunate to have been able to get good advise from "salty" old guys, always do this if possible. The only major change we have done is to put cedar planks in the bag with the suit. The cedar repels bugs and spiders, yet does not give it an unatural smell. The cedar smell is undetectable after about 3-4min of removing the suit from the bag. Good Luck.