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A ME RIC A N SNIP E R F R O M T H E S I L V E R S
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HELMET COMMS
5 The load out that Cooper wears throughout his deployment 7 The radio handset that most individuals seem to be outfitted
scenes in American Sniper employs the use of a MICH 2000 with in the film are closest to the PRC-148 handset linked to
helmet. Many of the eagle-eyed readers (or viewers) out there may have a TEA switch PTT (Push To Talk). These PTTs are widely available in
noticed that it has been anachronistically fitted with an Ops Core VAS countless replica forms, some good, some bad, but prices vary and you
Shroud NVG mount. These were not produced until 2008 and it would can pick them up from many different outlets around the world. For the
have been more suitable (or correct) to have the helmet fitted with a most part though, we noticed that throughout the film, Cooper seemed
Norotos or earlier design NVG mount plate, in place of the VAS Shroud. to be equipped with a simple in-ear headset.
OUR SUGGESTION OUR SUGGESTION
Honestly, there are so many replica MICH If you’re looking to complete the look and have
2000’s on the market, it would be pointless no need for a functioning radio, then a range
for us to suggest one. Although we would of companies manufacture dummy PRC-148s at
probably point you towards Viper Tactical a very reasonable price-point such as FMA or
or Emerson Gear. You can apply a bit of Emerson. If you want something that actually
spray paint here though, as the one used by functions, then TRI Instruments have released
Cooper seems to have been sprayed, most a range of PRC-148s over the years, but they’re
likely with Krylon’s “Sand” colourway. expensive, and can be quite hard to source.
POUCHES BODY ARMOUR
6 As you can see from the photos, the pouches that the 8 PACA-style body armour is commonly seen throughout American
production team have opted to use seem to have a slight Sniper and Cooper is outfitted in one with a distinctive “Punisher”
colour mismatch from the main rig. It is speculated that they are most skull stencilled in black paint. Real PACA armour is rated against
likely to be Chinese made AK magazine pouches that were imported fragmentation threats, 9mm and equivalent bullets. It is mostly used
by the film maker because they looked similar to the ones used at the for covert situations and SEALs often combined this “soft armour” with
time. This would make sense actually, as the genuine pouches would a plate carrier housing a "hard plate" over the top in order to provide a
presently be extremely tough to source. greater level of protection.
OUR SUGGESTION OUR SUGGESTION
If truth be told, this one stumped us for a Look no further than the 8Fields 'Skull Body
while and took a bit of digging around. While Armour' for this. We’ve had a number of
not exactly identical, the Mil-Tec Single AK47 PACA replicas over the years, and the 8Fields
Magazine Pouch is about the best we could variant is not only the most representative of
find without handing over an extortionate the real-deal item, but its also by far the most
amount of money. What’s better, is the comfortable! You can get these from Taiwan
Mil-Tec variant we found is available for the Gun for £25.40, and as the name suggests, it
poultry sum of £8.95 each, again from our even comes with the “Punisher stencil!
friends at Military 1st!
044 W W W . A I - M A G . C O M