Introduction

So far my airsoft loadouts have been a little hap-hazard, and I haven't made a faithful effort to portray a real military unit. But, in conjunction with South Yorkshire Airsoft opening it's new Close Quarter Battle site in March, I thought it was time I tried putting together a uniform based on an actual military unit.

MVD Spetsnaz

In keeping with the Russian theme of Team AKA, I decided to go for a counter terrorist look of one of the Spetsnaz units of the Russian Interior Ministry (MVD). This seemed very apt for the CQB environment, and it would also allow Team AKA to stand out a little from the usual UK Police and US based SWAT impressions that will undoubtedly be present at the new site.

As it happens I  was able to put together a rather informative and useful series of research photos on which to base my loadout. But the challenge would be to achieve something similar on a very tight budget (this would not be a 'geardo' stitch-counting exercise in authenticity).

Above: Various reference pictures from the many I have collected while researching my intended loadout. I have also drawn on a particularly useful game mod - called 'Udmurtia Spetsnaz' - which depicts the MVD, it's uniforms and weapons, in detail.

Initial purchase

I decided to start with what must be the most identifiable feature of Russian Spetsnaz tactical gear - the helmet. For some years now the Russian army and para-military units have been using a rather distinctive series of ballistic helmets, quite different from the US SWAT-type PASGT helmet that we are familiar with. The Russian counter-part is much rounder and in some ways much more similar to an open faced motor cycle helmet.

And this is where I took my inspiration for a cheap and easy alternative; I decided to buy a normal motor cycling helmet and disguise it by covering it with a piece of Russian camouflage material. Cheap and easy! 

Above: On the left is the 'out the box' Viper RS-04 motorcycle helmet (£29), compared with the real-deal Russian Army ballistic helmet on the right.

Not-so 'stinking badges'

As well as the helmet, I  have started to collect together one of the other more distinctive parts of the loadout - the insignia.

Now, I have a bit of a aversion to using real military insignia. I just do not feel happy about wearing the badges that real soldiers have to work hard to earn. Call me a bit of a fuddy-duddy, but I think it's ingenuous.

Above: The first sample of our team badge arrives from the embroiderer, and very pleased we are with it too. On the right you can see the artwork for the full set of Team AKA badges (minus name tags) which will compliment the MVD Spetsnaz loadout nicely.

So, for my MVD loadout I have created a completely fictional set of Russian Army like insignia for Team AKA. And today I picked up the first sample of the main Team AKA badge, which is based on the Russian Army shoulder crest.

SHOPPING LIST

Thought it might be useful to include an outline of what I intend to procure for this loadout. Of course, certain items may change as I go along - but I will update this list as I go along.

• Helmet - Viper RS-04 open faced open face helmet (£29)
• Helmet cover - Russian VSR camo material, harvested from old camo trousers (£0)
• Goggles - Low Profile Bolle X800s (£39)
• Face Mask -  Foggy Integral Anti Fog Mask (£11.91)
• Black BDUs - Bulle (Flecktarn.co.uk) V2 Enhanced BDU Shirt & trousers (£18 each)
• Assault vest - Bulle (Flecktarn.co.uk) Black Urban Assault Vest  (22.50)
• Holster - Black Bulle (Flecktarn.co.uk) Drop Leg Tactical Holster (£15)
• Badges - Custom designed and embroidered Team AKA badges (TBA)
• Weapon (Primary) - JG AK47 'Spetz' - downgraded for CQB (£122)

That's it for the moment - but, as I said, this will no doubt change as teh project progresses.

In Part Two...

In part two of this series I shall be finishing off the helmet cover, looking at alternative headgear and picking the right safty eyewear for this loadout. 

Read the next part of this series here: Creating a loadout: Russian MVD Spetsnaz (Part Two)