1970s New Look Army

In 1966 the MOD trialled a new combat uniform.  The cut of the tunic was similar to that of the 1960 pattern jacket, but was produced in a new Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) with matching trousers boasting two thigh patch pockets (later trousers had bellows pockets so the soldier could stuff more in).
In 1968 the jacket received some minor cosmetic changes but was essentially similar to the '66 version.
This uniform, with some minor alterations became the standard No8 Combat Uniform worn by infantrymen up to and including the Falklands War in 1982.

To represent a squaddie of the 1970s takes some planning and sorting out what's available in the 1/6 market.  Barrack Sergeant produced a '66 or '68 jacket in one of their Falklands sets, but no-one has produced correct trousers.  At the moment my squaddie wears later trousers, but as soon as my khaki thread gets here I will alter the pockets and add a field dressing pocket on the upper right front (in a similar location to the WW2 Battledress and 1960 Pattern trousers.

Here are some photos... representing a typical soldier kitted out for exercises either in Germany or in the UK.  His early L1A1 SLR has a Blank Firing Attachment at the tip, as even blanks can cause damage to fellow soldiers.

Parts breakdown as follows...

Figure:          TTL Male Body
Head:           DiD WW1 Tommy head
Hands:          Hot Toys

Shirt:             Dragon (khaki)
Trousers:       Dragon (yet to be corrected)
Smock:         Barrack Sergeant
Puttees:         Dragon
Boots:           New Line Miniatures
Face veil:       Dragon

57 Webbing Set:
                    Dragon
Respirator Pouch:
                    Barrack Sergeant
Shovel:         Dragon
Helmet:         Blue Box (with new chinstrap)
L1A1 Rifle:  RMC (repainted and with Blank Firing Attachment fitted)

I'll update the post when I've made the changes to the trousers.

My inspiration for this figure was the box art on the old Airfix 1/32 Modern British Infantry figures...

(Photo from Airfix Tribute Forum)

I'm trying to get a Tommy Gunn Carl Gustav Anti-Tank weapon to add some oomph to my figures, as SLRs and Stirlings don't add much to the variety of kit our lads carried during the Cold War era.  As a toy it will need some work, but from what I can tell it's essentially accurate as far as the basics go.

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As an aside, I was also lucky enough to win an Action Man 105mm L118 Light Gun.  While it looks okay at a first glance it has issues - wheels are too small, details are basic at best and, well overall it seems a little small.  It might end up being unused... I'm not sure whether it's worth the effort.