Agreed

anyhoo...

Where could I get a correct pattern lifchik except E-Bay (there don't seem to be any there)?

Same goes for an Afghanka - Collect Russia has the only one in stock I've seen but 120$ seems pretty expensive considering it is not (apparantly) that rare and only 20 yrs old (more expensive than ww2 stuff).

Any help apreciated!

Lifchika's are hard as shit to get. I was hunting for one for a long time until I just settled on a chicom for now. You could try the Red-Alliance forums as there's always tons of people selling really cool stuff.

There is also a store called Front of Russia that had a lifchik for like.. 60 bucks?

I've only seen the first pattern Lifchik for sale once or twice. The second pattern Lifchik is pretty easy to find.

It's best not to worry about the first pattern Lifchik. After all, what's wrong with the more common belt loadout or RD54?

An Afghanka suit will be a fun hunt for you, but the price of $120 isn't too bad and will definently save lots of searching time.

Of course, I should mention I have an Afghanka suit in the mail right now, a $60 one. ;)

This is the first pattern lifchik, notice the similiarity to the Chicom.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/913...ernlifchik.jpg

Some people have all the luck!

How is it possible to tell a 80s Chicom from a modern repro? Also (to hijack my own thread) which type of redstar belt is correct for afghanistan? Are you sure the later lifchik wasn't used since I have seen some that were stamped before 1989.

Thanks

The later Lifchiks were produced in late years of the Afghan war but still never made it out there.

I had a big shipment of Chicoms a while back and I wondered the same thing. The question is, if a Chinese chestrig was reproduced in China, is that really a knock off? ;)

The standart Soviet Army belt is perfect.

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...g?t=1270664963

In regards to the camo question I thought I might expand upon what has been said. Please do not think these items were in any way common issue for your average soldat.

Late in the war a select few officers were issued TTsKO:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...afghan9zm1.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...JdqFKo/757.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...ecolorsuu6.jpg

Flight crew also had their own version of TTsKO uniforms:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...Y/34407458.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...l33NI/b233.jpg

Last but not least the Border Guards used their "Specodezhda" camo in Afghanistan:

http://b.foto.radikal.ru/0601/883b7de36882.jpg

http://yangi-kala.ucoz.ru/_ph/23/2/964566618.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_45MxfqZ13so/Rj...m8Mka8k/32.jpg

Very nice pics bud!

VDV give this site a try. http://www.frontofrussia.com/army.html

Found this one a while back and they occasionally get some great stuff. They may have what you are looking for.

Chalcus.

Please DO NOT use Front of Russia they are notorious for not sending or crediting back for items. Once the money is in their hands there is 0 buyer protection. Once upon a time some people had success buying from that E-shop but in recent months I have heard nothing but complaints!

I was not aware. I have not purchased from them in a long while. Thanks for the heads up.

C.

On the site he posted, I found an Arrid Region Pattern

http://www.tridentmilitary.com/New-P.../rusdesert.jpg

From my understanding that is one of those experimental patterns that never made it to field use. I have yet to find any references/photos with it in use. Plus it is VERY inappropriate for a Afghan war impression.

Actually there is a picture with it in use, if I have time I will dig it up, but that pattern was used.

Interesting but I am certain it wasn't used during Soviet times maybe in the early 90's during the turmoil in the Eastern Bloc.