Uniforms and Equipment of U.S. Military Advisors in Vietnam

The HT-2A radio from The Hallicrafters is from the OPS family of radios. The HT-2A is one of the first models delivered under the CIA-funded Village Radio program sponsored by the Office of Public Safety (OPS) to provide local forces with short-range radios to report Viet Cong movements. The retractable antenna is undamaged. The plastic knob for volume control and transmission switching is missing. See photo for condition. Functionality is not guaranteed.

Used pants (TROUSERS, MAN'S, COTTON, WIND RESISTANT). Rip-Stop material. Year of manufacture 1969. Size Medium Long. Trousers have one small hole on the leg. Overall very nice condition.

Bandolier for SKS ammunition. Locally produced. Purchased from the estate of a veteran.

Colour patch of 199th Infantry Brigade (Light). Design with thin edge.

Inflatable lifeboat for one person, type LRU-3/P, USAF MIL-L-8664B(WP). Manufactured by Rubber Fabricators Inc. (contract DAAK01-67-C-916. Date of manufacture: 1967. Size is approximately 1.6 x 0.9 x 0.3 m max. (inflated, but with covers and bottom chambers folded down). Black and orange rubber construction with one inflatable chamber and additional stabilizing chambers underneath and nylon covers. The boat comes with the original sea anchor/brake (specification no. MIL-A-3339A). The boat is in decent condition, holds air, but is intended for collector's purposes only and is not recommended for regular use on water. The boat can be inflated using a car pump.

Special Forces shoulder patch (without arc) from the Vietnam War. Variant with a hemmed edge.

Original Unused (NOS) Blood Chit South East Asia - West Central Pacific. Each copy has its serial number. Year of production 1967.

Unopened C ration accessory pack.

Used 1Q field bottle from 1969. The cup is from 1945. The cover has a nylon trim.

This T61-5 body armor, officially designated MIL-A-43197, represents a fascinating chapter in military equipment history. Developed in the mid-1960s, the T61-5 was designed to be a more ergonomic and flexible successor to the older M1952A model. Its innovative construction featured over 100 individual titanium plates, intended to provide superior protection and comfort.

Although it officially became the U.S. Army's standard-issue vest "on paper" in 1965, it never saw widespread adoption in reality. With the escalation of the Vietnam War, the T61-5 proved too expensive and complex to manufacture for mass deployment. The Army instead opted for a simpler, cheaper, updated version of the M1952A (the "3/4 collar" model).

Despite being an Army design, the T61-5 found its primary use elsewhere. It became characteristic equipment for the U.S. Navy's "Brown Water Navy" units operating in the rivers and coastal areas of Vietnam from 1966 onwards. It was also used by some U.S. Army mechanized infantry, armor, and armored cavalry units between 1969-1971.

Key Features:

• Official Designation: MIL-A-43197

• Common Name: T61-5 Composite Armor

• Standard Publication Date: Feb. 10, 1964

• Construction: Composite material with over 100 titanium plates

• Historical Status: Superseded, cancelled in 1972 with no direct replacement

• Primary Users: US Navy ("Brown Water Navy"), US Army mechanized units in Vietnam

This vest is an exceptional and rare collector's item, documenting the push for innovation in personal protection during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.

Unused M6 bayonet from Milpar. Condition see photo.

Utility Fighting Knife from Camillus. The blade is not sharpened.