What is MTP?
The Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) is the standard camouflage pattern of the British Armed Forces.
As part of the British Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Personal Equipment and Common Operational Clothing (PECOC) programme, three new camouflage patterns were considered for issue to British forces. These were a revised temperate Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) using lighter colours, a new three-colour desert pattern with enhanced utility for night-time operations, and a hybrid four colour scheme using two colours from each of the previous patterns for use on webbing in all terrains.
( Source Multi-Terrain Pattern – Wikipedia )
In the last century, webbing and belt kits have been used in one way or another since before WW1 and right up to the present day. The idea behind it was to initially enable a solider to carry ammunition and water, which has evolved through out the century so that a soldier is now able to not only carry water and ammunition, but also carry mission essential equipment and to be able to live for 24 hours, from his belt kit alone if needs be must.
The following are a few variations of the issued kit over the last century.
37 pattern:
The Pattern 37 (P37) webbing equipment was the primary British and Commonwealth load-bearing system of WW2. Unlike American and other nations’ webbing systems, it had larger “general purpose” pouches suitable for carrying magazines and ammunition from a variety of weapons ranging from the STEN submachine gun to the Lee-Enfield Rifle and the BREN light machine gun, as well as anything else that may fit. P37 webbing was made from extremely tough canvas that was extremely heavy and uncomfortable when soaked, leading to an attempt to replace it in tropical climates with the Pattern 44 webbing.
However, the Pattern 44 webbing was almost too lightweight so production of P37 was briefly resumed in the 1950s before being replaced by the Pattern 58 webbing. Some P37 components were used until the 1980s.
For further information: http://www.karkeeweb.com/1937main.html
(Source British Pattern 44 Webbing (1945 – 1966) | KommandoPost.com | KPS Militaria Collection )
44 pattern:
Pattern 44 webbing was an attempt at creating a more lightweight (compared to Pattern 37) load-bearing system for tropical climates. P44 items are made of a softer, lighter material than Pattern 37 webbing and aluminum buckles for additional weight savings. Pattern 44 gear was intended for use in the Far East after VE (Victory in Europe) day, but since the war ended soon after it was mostly used in tropical conflicts after WW2 such as Kenya (Mau Mau uprising), Malaya, and Borneo (source: http://josephs-militaria-and-homefront-collection.co.uk/PAGE49.HTML).
It was widely used in Britain’s colonies and many places with a strong British influence, such as Iraq, used their own derivatives of the system. Small components such as canteen pouches remained in used even after Pattern 58 webbing was introduced.
For further information: http://www.karkeeweb.com/1944main.html
(Source British Pattern 44 Webbing (1945 – 1966) | KommandoPost.com | KPS Militaria Collection )
58 pattern:
In 1958 the British Soldiers started using 58 pattern webbing, developed by a woman who wasn’t involved with the army; she was a working seamstress specialising in ladies’ lingerie, which is where the fast-release clips were inspired.
Despite all this the 58 pattern, was the first to be put with the modern-day belt kit, this consists of ammo pouches, utility pouches, and commanders’ pouches; this is all co-inside with their yoke and large canvas backpack that clipped to the webbing.
The Mark 1 set introduced in 1959 underwent numerous modifications, each of which merited an advance in Mark Number. None did, the Army saving up “Mark 2” for a completely new set of Patt. ’58, which reproduced the final issues of all component parts, but was made in a smooth-coated nylon. Its components achieved COSA listings as “Troop Trials Item”, but it never went into service. Long into the Atomic Age, the Army was forced to a recognition that cotton webbing had a problem – it could not be easily decontaminated under NBC conditions. Mark 2 Patt. ’58 was one solution that was investigated, along with Patt. ’75 P.L.C.E. in the same material and two alternative patterns, “A” and “B”, of what most collectors call “SA 80 webbing”. These were in a new material, akin to “brushed nylon” in texture and, after yet more development, a design emerged as Patt. ’90 P.L.C.E.
(Source Infantry Equipment, Pattern 1958 (karkeeweb.com) )
90 pattern:
Along comes the 90 pattern which was a more up-to-date fabric, using Cordura fabrics, buckles, and fasteners all in olive green originally.
The PLC Bergan came out which was loosely based on the Crusader Bergan.
Seven years after the Falklands War, the first standard issue PLCE webbing was introduced in 1989 as the 90 Pattern webbing and was Olive (OD/OG) in colour.
The original components used Type 58 Pattern C-hooks for the belt attachment, and angled D-rings for the shoulder harness attachment on the ammunition pouches. There were separate left and right pouches. The first utility pouches in production had additional belt attachments for high mounting, similar to the ammunition pouches of the 1937 Pattern Web Equipment or 44 Pattern. Later produced PLCE webbing of the 90 Pattern incorporates ambidextrous yoke fittings and the standard PLCE webbing belt attachments (see below).
The PLCE webbing system was also adopted by the Danish Defence Forces (Forsvaret) in the M84 camouflage pattern and by the Defence Forces of Ireland (Óglaigh na hÉireann) in Olive drab. The Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces now employ the Integrated Protection and Load Carrying System (IPLCS).
Many other countries still issue or have issued similar load bearing systems. By way of example, in its year of introduction to the forces, the United States Armed Forces have adopted the Individual Integrated Fighting System (IIFS).
The newest variant of the PLCE webbing system, of the 90 Pattern, has been in production since 1992 and has the Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) camouflage pattern of the partially obsolete Combat Soldier 95 (“Soldier 95”) clothing system.[3] The official name remained unchanged.
(Source Personal Load Carrying Equipment – Wikipedia )
95 Pattern:
As above but in DPM
In 2004 MultiCam ® started to become more and more widely used by the US Armed forces (we at JayJays® first started using MultiCam®) then in around 2010 the British Army took the decision to change from the current DPM and Desert DPM and switch to the new MTP pattern.
When the new MTP was released, they decided to make PLC Webbing and Bergan’s all in this new pattern.
With the introduction of the Combat Soldier 95 (CS95 or “Soldier 95”) clothing system in 1995, the common misconception arose that a complete revision of the 90 Pattern PLCE webbing system was taking place. The clothing system underwent final development and entered troop trials in between 1992 and 1995. Garments were manufactured for the trials, yet the PLCE webbing system issued, officially remained of the 90 Pattern.
Due to confusion, or for the sake of convenience, individual components of the webbing system, were by 1995, unofficially named, described and specified as the Type 95 Pattern webbing, as having been widely understood to be part of the Combat Soldier 95 clothing system. No official name change had taken place. The only array of PLCE components that could be considered of the unofficial 95 Pattern, are those components produced during or after that year.
(Source Personal Load Carrying Equipment – Wikipedia )
Virtus:
Eight years later (2018), Virtus was invented which yet again led the Belt kits and Load Carriage to all be upgraded.
Virtus is a load carriage system created with a spine-like feature for extra support.
As a result of this, we have been using the Virtus pattern ever since.
Jay Jay’s was founded in 1993 by our team of former Police and Military personnel. We’ve been manufacturing load-bearing equipment and supplying clothing for the military for thirty years. Our innovative, built-for-life products and industry-leading customer service have earned us an outstanding reputation that we’re incredibly proud of. Why not try for yourself?
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