British Disruptive Pattern Material – DPM
Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) is a multi-coloured fabric, from which camouflaged smocks, jackets, hoods, trousers, caps, pouches, packs, and rucksacks for military use were produced. Developed from the “brushstroke” disruptive pattern of the Smock, Denison, Airborne Troops, the four colours officially adopted for Woodland DPM are »Mid Green«, »Dark Brown«, »Black«, and »Dark Sand«.
The used “Jacket, Combat, Lightweight, Woodland DP, 8415-99-503-8774”, pictured above, was made from British S95 Woodland DP material. Matching paints for this particular jacket are PRIMAcryl 13.684 »Natural Burnt Umber«, Revell 3610.9 »Anthracite Grey RAL 7021«, Vallejo 71.118 »Grey RAL 7027«, and Humbrol 151 »Interior Green«. Depending on the scale of the miniatures to be painted, these paints need to be desaturated and muted to account for aerial perspective.
Inside the pocket flap, hidden from sunlight, the disruptive colours of the “Jacket, Combat, Lightweight, Woodland DP, 8415-99-503-8774” reviewed above have faded much less. While Humbrol 151 »Interior Green« is an excellent match for the faded »Mid Green« on the exposed surfaces of the combat jacket, Revell 36.363 »Dark Green« – while it is a little too bluish – better matches the original »Mid Green« still found on less exposed surfaces; keeping in mind that the jacket must have been washed repeatedly during its time in service and some fading is sure to have occurred here, too.
Painting British Woodland DPM
- Green
- Intermediate Green, AK Interactive 11149
- Interior Green, Humbrol 151
- Dark Green, Revell 36.363
- Brown
- Red Brown, AK Interactive 11434
- Natural Burnt Umber, PRIMAcryl 13.684
- Sand
- Deck Tan, AK Interactive 11114
- Grey RAL 7027, Vallejo Model Air 71.118
- Black
- Brown Black, AK Interactive 11418
- Anthracite Grey RAL 7021, Revell 3610.9
Tropical, Desert DPM
Tropical, Desert DPM is a two-colour disruptive pattern material, from which desert combat uniforms, personal equipment, and combat body armour vests were manufactured. The new and unused “Jacket, Combat, Tropical, Desert, DPM, 8415-99-978-6903” above, made by Cooneen Watts & Stone Ltd. in 2007, shows no signs of fading. Colours on the exposed collar and chest perfectly match those on the hidden surfaces of the folded jacket, and inside the pocket flaps. Matching paints for this brand-new jacket are Humbrol 121 »Pale Stone« and Vallejo 70.921 »English Uniform«.
Painting Disruptive Patterns
- 1968 Pattern Woodland DPM
- 1968 Pattern Woodland DPM, late production, ca. 1975
- 1985 Pattern Woodland DPM
- Soldier 95 Pattern Woodland DPM
- Soldier 95 Pattern Tropical, Desert DPM
In the British Army, DPM has been superseded by Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP), introduced in 2010.
Bibliography
- Camopedia: DPM – Disruptive Pattern Material
- Forces 80: Combat Uniforms of the 1980s, Part 1: DPM Uniforms