Soviet Mubuta/Mubuto uniform

[Kozlov]

Hello,

Anyone know much about these uniforms? (the spelling depends on who you read).

There are some pretty far fetched (IMHO) descriptions of what these uniforms actually are but they appear in a lot of photos of the VDV, so I guess they are some sort of progression from the 1 piece jump coveralls?

Any ideas?

Better still, any ideas where I can get a set?

[NKOMO]

As Andy knows, when I first got my Mubuto uniform, mine was in a bunch of South African gear. Guy told me it was a Soviet helicopter pilots uniform. The first thing I noticed about the uniform was that the underarms and crotch had a mesh type fabric. The second thing I noticed was that the uniform had no makers mark, size, or any other marks that would identify it as being of Soviet origin. The only piece that had a size was the cap and it was stamped "56". It was not until many years later that I learned what these uniforms were. I almost sold mine several times, but thought better of it.
I had always been told that they were used by the Spetsnaz ( I can't remember the teams that supposedly used them) in Afghanistan and in other tropical areas around the world. There is a Russian book that shows numerous pictures of the Spetsnaz wearing the type of uniform in question, so we know they were used by them. Like Andy and I have been discussing, there is little to no information out there on this uniform.
I do know that there are two types of this uniform. The first type has exposed buttons and the second pattern has concealed buttons. Perhaps MASSOUD can post some of the pics from his collection so we can see the differences.
Arch

[Kozlov]

Yes, Arch and I were talking about this privately but I wanted to throw this open to you all in the vain hope someone knows a bit more than the pair of us!

This uniform does appear a LOT in Afganistan photos, and many do say its "Spetsnaz issue" but of course isnt that true of everything LOL.

Outside of Afganistan it seems to appear a lot with the VDV...

For example:

[desantnik]

I have in storage a set that is very similar, but no buttons on the two chest pockets (velcro on all pockets) and originally black (faded to a dull grey) in color. My friend who gave it to me was in naval spetsnaz, then Vympel, and later MVD spetsnaz (Kobra). I don't know what unit it was from, but at the time I remember the uniqueness of the cut compared to all other Russian/Soviet camo I'd seen.

A few years back I lent them to some soldiers who were OPFORing and against my guidance, they washed the uniform and threw it in the drier, shrinking it up so I can't wear it anymore.

Where did you get the "Mubuto" title from?

[Kozlov]

Black! Thats interesting!

How shrunk up is it? If it doesn't fit you it might fit me ;-)

The name "Mubuto" or "Mubuta" seems to be a Soviet nickname from it and various bits I've pieced together from conversations with other collectors suggest this is a name given to it by KGB operatives fighting in Africa in the 70's - I've no idea what the word means, but looks African in origin does it not... which kinda fits.

[MASSOUD]

Actually Mabuta comes from the name MOBUTU who was the dictator of Zaïre from 1965 till 1996.But why such a name was chosen for this uniform?He was strongly anti soviet.....
Here are some pics of the 1st pattern with apparent buttons and of the 2nd pattern with hidden buttons....
*Trousers front :

*Trousers back :

*Jackets front :

[Kozlov]

By the sounds of things it was so named because of Soviet spetsnaz involvement in Zaire...

I have read others suggest wrongly it was because OSNAZ killed Mubuto, but this is incorrect!

Thanks for posting your sets JP!