Our friends in Finland, Varusteleka Oy, are expanding their Särmä TST clothing system by adding the M04 desert / arid pattern option starting 14 August.
According to Jari Lane, the pattern was developed based on Finnish M05 geometry but color matched to the desert / arid environment. The pattern was initially fielded to Finnish troops serving in UN and other international missions in 2003 as a test run and has evolved to its current form and is part of Finnish field gear.
The Products launched on August 14th:
“the pattern was developed based on Finnish M05 geometry but color matched to the desert / arid environment.”
That is clear. The shapes are definitely m/05.
“The pattern was initially fielded to Finnish troops serving in UN and other international missions in 2003 as a test run and has evolved to its current form[…]”
Indeed, we had the k/04 test pattern that evolved into the m/05.
The difference between the two is that k/04 has more solid shapes and half of the pattern is “shifted” vertically by a half pattern tile height. Many of the wormy branched shapes were “closed off” to form blobs.
Fun trivia: k/04 was used as a base test design for Luxembourg’s camo uniforms with MARPAT colors.
I’d be very interested in seeing an intermediate version of the Finnish camo (in-between the Woodland and Desert versions). Since Varusteleka can now make whatever coloration they want, it shouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility…
I dig that idea so hard I have a shovel in each hand.
Problem is they use Finnish issue materials for most of what they make with camo and other stuff. Given what I have read about their owner and the amazing nature of the company it would not surprise me though. Funny thing is the pack I posted a few days ago on addicts was made to be a more versatile woodland M05. Not sure I succeeded but I sort of attempted what you are talking about with a pack.
“Funny thing is the pack I posted a few days ago on addicts was made to be a more versatile woodland M05.”
Sounds interesting, could you provide a link?