Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR is a fireproof combat shirt from the American company Massif, the official clothing supplier for the US Armed Forces.
Modern field uniforms made of synthetic materials mainly meet the following requirements: protection of the body from damage, wear resistance, comfort during prolonged wearing, ventilation, effective participation in heat exchange, protection from precipitation and bad weather, and the like. But the synthetic materials that are part of the uniform have one significant drawback - they are not resistant to an open flame, and melt at high temperatures.
If you burned the edge of a nylon lanyard with a lighter, you saw how the nylon fibers fuse into a homogeneous black mass. The same will happen with the uniform on your body if exposed to an open flame or high temperatures. The melting of the material causes an increase in burns, and the remains of plastic make them difficult to handle and impair healing. To avoid this you should use fireproof clothing.
Until recently, adding fire resistance to the list of requirements forced tradeoffs in ventilation or comfort: fire clothes were heavy, tight, poorly ventilated, and rarely used in place of uniforms. Until 20 years ago, fireproof clothing was mainly associated with overalls, which had to be worn over field uniforms where there was a fire hazard. Wearing it for a long time was rather difficult due to stuffiness, overheating, sweating and moisture condensation on the inner surface.
But with the development of modern refractory materials, this has changed. The Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR is just good proof that fireproof clothing can provide effective protection from open flames and high temperatures, without compromising ventilation, thermoregulation, and long-term comfort. The following features help in this combat shirt:
- High stand-up collar.
- Two arm pockets with YKK zippers.
- Velcro for placement of insignia.
- Stationery pocket on left forearm.
- Elbow reinforcement with SuperFabric to protect against abrasion and flame.
- Main torso material: 55% Cotton, 30% Rayon, 8% Spandex, 7% Polyester.
- Main material of sleeves, side panels: 93% Cotton, 7% Spandex.
- Fire resistance according to ASTM standard (F2302-03).
- Available colors: Multicam, OCP (US Armed Forces only)
The Army Combat Shirt (ACS) Type II FR is the second generation of the Massif combat shirt, with major changes to the collar and chest and abdomen. We will get acquainted with these changes in today's review using the example of the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR in the Multicam color.
The torso of the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR front and back is made of fireproof ventilated material in Khaki color. It is composed of 55% cotton, 30% rayon, 8% spandex and 7% polyester. This material absorbs excess moisture well, distributes it over a large area and accelerates evaporation. Therefore, wearing a combat shirt under body armor reduces overheating in hot climates and at high levels of physical activity.
The neck, shoulders and arms are protected by a reinforced fireproof material in a Multicam camouflage pattern. It is 93% cotton and 7% spandex and provides protection against minor injuries, open flames and high temperatures. Thus, the most exposed areas are reinforced for better protection, while those under the armor are lighter to improve heat transfer and comfort. All materials are classified as Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE) - they do not melt or sustain combustion.
The collar of the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR has been increased compared to the previous generation of this model, and now its height is 5 cm.This allows you to cover a large body surface with fireproof material and protect it from burns and temperature damage. In addition, it protects against sunlight, rainfall, insect bites and the like.
To improve heat exchange and evaporation of excess moisture, a vertical zipper 15 cm high is inserted in front of the gate. There is a slight bend in the base material in the upper part of the zipper, which does not allow the slide zipper to contact the skin of the neck and chin.
The shoulders, as well as the combat shirt, are equipped with flat elastic seams so that they do not rub or cause discomfort during prolonged wearing of body armor, shoulder pads, unloading systems or other items of equipment. The seams are also spaced. and pass in areas less exposed to mechanical stress.
On the left shoulder of the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR there is a Velcro panel with an area of 10 cm x 16.5 cm (width / height). Unit chevrons, means of distinction, or moral patches are usually attached here.
At the top of this platform is a 2.5 cm high vertical flap, under which a black infrared marker is hidden. Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) markers are used to identify Allied forces during night operations using night vision devices (NVGs). The valve has Velcro, which allows it to be fixed in closed and open states. You will need it when you want to remain invisible, or vice versa, trying to warn about your presence.
Under the Velcro, behind the 16 cm high YKK zipper, there is a patch pocket measuring 15 cm x 20 cm (width / height). Here you can place flat little things that you need constant or relatively quick access to.
On the right shoulder, the combat shirt already has three Velcro, and not one large panel, as on the left side. Each of these stickies has a clearly defined role. Top Velcro 9 cm x 5.5 cm (width / height) is provided to fix the flag. The middle section measures 5 cm X 5 cm (width \ height) - a chevron with a rank. The bottom strip measures 13.5 cm X 2.5 cm. Designed to fix the patch with the user's last name.
Under the Velcro there is a pocket similar in structure and purpose, as on the left hand. Under the YKK zipper, there is a place for flat essentials: maps, notebooks, documents, and the like.
The Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR elbows are protected by SuperFabric. It is a semicircle with a radius of 13 cm, divided into several segments. The density of this material is significantly higher than that of the rest of the shirt, so this section will protect against friction or punctures when you are lying on your stomach. At the same time, SuperFabric is a fire retardant material that will not melt under the influence of an open flame and will not burn your elbows.
On the left forearm is another pocket for stationery. An overlay measuring 7.5 cm x 14 cm (width / height) is divided lengthwise into two vertical channels, which can easily accommodate pencils, pens, markers or chemical light sources (CLS).
The cuffs of the shirt are adjustable with Velcro and can be adjusted to the desired degree of protection and thermoregulation. The tightened cuff better protects against wind, dirt and dust, insects. An open one provides better air flow, convection and rapid evaporation of moisture.
I mentioned earlier that the second generation Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR changed the width of the front ventilated inserts. They became narrower compared to the first generation, and their place was taken by the side sections in camouflage. This change will be relevant for you if you are using compact body armor (plate socks). Previously, when using minimalist or skeletal slabs, ventilated inserts in Khaki peeped out from under them, which contrasted against the rest of the camouflage gear. This unmasked the user. Now, even if your slabs are stuck with just an inch sling, only the side sections of the camouflage shirt will be visible from under it. They blend in better with the rest of the gear in Multicam, but don't attract attention from afar.
In general, the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR is suitable for the hot season for those categories of users who face increased risks of fire: ground combat vehicles crews, mechanized infantry, aircraft and helicopter crews, combat ship and boat personnel, marines , sappers, machine gunners, the like. On the manufacturer's Youtube channel, you can even read the reviews of representatives of these categories who had to use these combat shirts.
Thanks to punisher.com.ua for the Massif Army Combat Shirt Type II FR sample provided to us for review. You can always find out the latest information about the availability and cost of a shirt on the pages of the store.
Source: https://secretsquirrel.com.ua/snaryazhenie/ohliad-sorochky-massif-army-combat-shirt-type-ii-fr/
Author: MAD
