TIGER STRIPE: THE VIETNAM CAMOUFLAGE STORY
by Owen Thornton
With historical roots based in the “Lizard” camouflage patterns worn by French colonial troops in Indochina in the years following the Second World War, “Tiger Stripe” has become an icon of the Vietnam War. Most commonly associated today with US Special Forces advisors, Tiger Stripe camouflage saw surprisingly wide usage across an array of forces in South Vietnam – with South Vietnamese Special Forces (LLDB), South Vietnamese Marines (VNMC), South Vietnamese Rangers, Civilian Irregular Defense Groups (CIDG), Mike Force, MACV-SOG, and more. The reputation of Tiger Stripe is such that even the most disinterested person today instinctively associates the camouflage with Special Forces. Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story is the most visually comprehensive book to ever dive specifically into this topic, covering its development and usage leading up to and during the Vietnam War.
Authored by film producer and long-time camouflage collector and dealer, Owen Thornton, Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story will transport you back to the early days of the conflict in Southeast Asia to tell a story through an almost unimaginably diverse gathering of authentic vintage uniforms, original never-before-seen photographs, government documents, and historically significant (but largely forgotten) magazine articles. All told, this book contains in excess of 1,250 images.
Tiger Stripe covers the following topics as it works its way through the history of this camouflage pattern:
Windproof Pattern
Lizard Pattern
Sea Wave Tiger
Bulletproof Pattern
Fat Tiger
Silver Tiger
Okinawa Tiger
ARVN Tiger
Gold Tiger
1969 Pattern Tiger
Other Miscellaneous Patterns and Variants
Hollywood Usage
Women and Kids Clothing
Reproduction Clothing
Modern Tiger Usage
Additionally, in order to provide a more complete context for the use of camouflage by special operations units in Southeast Asia, we offer vignettes into these additional topics:
Beogam
Mitchell Pattern
ERDL
Colors of War
VC/NVA Camouflage
Journalists in Vietnam
Waterproof Jackets
Monster Pattern
Police Tiger
Calling Cards and Death Cards
Black Tiger and ARPA ERDL
Unit Patches and Pins
Blazers
Propaganda
Unit Scarves
Lighters
Bags
Tour Hats
R&R
Photographed by celebrated photographer James Rupley, Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story presents this highly curated collection of camouflage and relevant accessories in never-before-seen detail on large format, full-color prints in a premium hardback form. Tiger Stripe is the next best thing to having these exceptional collector’s grade items in your own personal collection.
Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story
by Owen Thornton
*** This is a PRE-ORDER item. Printed books are not expected to arrive at our fulfillment center until approximately March 2027; however, this date is only an estimate and is likely to change to some extent. We will strive to post updates on the Updates Page of our website, so please check that page if you have status update questions. All images shown as part of this product launch are digital renderings of the current form of the book; however, some changes may be made to the appearance, content, and page count as we work through the print production process. Credit cards and payment methods will be charged at the time the order is placed. ***
Features:
Page count: 750 (approx.)
Each volume is 9.5 × 11.25” (approx.)
Commercial quality, section sewn binding which allows the book to lay flat
Full color prints on premium quality paper stock
Foil stamped, green hardcover
Ribbon page marker
Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story
by Owen Thornton
*** This is a PRE-ORDER item. Printed books are not expected to arrive at our fulfillment center until approximately March 2027; however, this date is only an estimate and is likely to change to some extent. We will strive to post updates on the Updates Page of our website, so please check that page if you have status update questions. All images shown as part of this product launch are digital renderings of the current form of the book; however, some changes may be made to the appearance, content, and page count as we work through the print production process. Credit cards and payment methods will be charged at the time the order is placed. ***
Features:
Page count: 750 (approx.)
Each volume is 9.5 × 11.25” (approx.)
Commercial quality, section sewn binding which allows the book to lay flat
Full color prints on premium quality paper stock
Foil stamped, green hardcover
Ribbon page marker
Signed by author Owen Thornton
Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story
by Owen Thornton
*** This is a PRE-ORDER item. Printed books are not expected to arrive at our fulfillment center until approximately March 2027; however, this date is only an estimate and is likely to change to some extent. We will strive to post updates on the Updates Page of our website, so please check that page if you have status update questions. All images shown as part of this product launch are digital renderings of the current form of the book; however, some changes may be made to the appearance, content, and page count as we work through the print production process. Credit cards and payment methods will be charged at the time the order is placed. ***
Features:
Page count: 750 (approx.)
Each volume is 9.5 × 11.25” (approx.)
Commercial quality, section sewn binding which allows the book to lay flat
Full color prints on premium quality paper stock
Foil stamped, green hardcover
Ribbon page marker
Signed by author Owen Thornton
Includes commemorative Clamshell case
Includes Tiger Stripe Pattern Book of wide selection of camouflage designs
Includes commemorative Magnifying Card
Includes all eleven (11) commemorative PVC hook and loop patches
Tiger Stripe Pattern Book
by Owen Thornton
*** This is a PRE-ORDER item. Printed books are not expected to arrive at our fulfillment center until approximately March 2027; however, this date is only an estimate and is likely to change to some extent. We will strive to post updates on the Updates Page of our website, so please check that page if you have status update questions. All images shown as part of this product launch are digital renderings of the current form of the book; however, some changes may be made to the appearance, content, and page count as we work through the print production process. Credit cards and payment methods will be charged at the time the order is placed. ***
Features:
Page count: 180 (approx.)
Dimensions: 1.75 × 9.25” (approx.)
Full color prints on premium quality paper stock
Ten (10) Patch Commemorative Set for Tiger Stripe: The Vietnam Camouflage Story
These patches are a PVC-type (won't be confused with the war-era sewn-type patches) with hook and loop backing. Width of each patch is approximately 2.75 inches. Height of each patch will depend on the design.
*** Important Shipping Notice: These patches will ship separately from books and other ancillary items; therefore, they will carry a second shipping charge if ordered in combination with a book or other merch order. The shipping is reasonable (both domestic and international) because it is via USPS/regular mail, but please consider this when placing your order.
*** International Shipping Notice: (1) We don’t normally ship patches by themselves internationally, so we have done our best to accurately estimate international costs for shipping. However, if your actual international shipping to your country varies significantly from our estimate, then we will contact you for additional postage or give the the option to cancel with refund. (2) Because these patches will ship via standard mail, we do not know if you will be subject to customs/duties on this item, but if you are, then they are solely your responsibility. No returns or refunds will be accepted for your refusal or failure to pay such customs/duties.
Videos with Author, Owen Thornton
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