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SILV E R SCRE E N F R O M T H E S I L V E R S C

ZERO DARK THIRTY

THE MOVIE THAT SPAWNED A THOUSAND LOAD OUTS… ZERO DARK THIRTY, RELEASED IN 2012 TELLS THE STORY OF
THE HUNT FOR THE WORLD’S MOST WANTED MAN, OSAMA BIN LADEN AND OF MOST INTEREST TO MANY AIRSOFTERS,
FEATURES A FULL ACTION SEQUENCE DEPICTING THE INFAMOUS RAID ON HIS COMPOUND IN PAKISTAN.

Movies featuring military raids and in particular SEALs in action are not rare, in fact over the last decade or so there have been a heathy handful of action
movies released. In this case however, there’s a high level attention to detail and authenticity, not only in the action played out but also in the gear,
equipment and kit used by the actors. When viewed in conjunction with the popular book, No Easy Day, by former SEAL Mark Owen, you really can get an
intimate insight into the world of the US Navy SEALs and the elite within the elite that is DevGru, or SEAL team 6.
It is presently unknown exactly how accurate the account given is based on the true events and of course, there are a good number of conspiracy
theories in circulation. No matter, the SEAL load out continues to be as popular as ever and at any given airsoft site, you’ll no doubt find somebody kitted
up in something at least inspired by this elite and illustrious unit.
Replicating a Navy SEAL look isn’t a cheap one, but we’ve done our best to keep the pricing down. That said though, you can still expect a hefty outlay.
However, should you choose to follow the path laid out here, you can rest assured that you will be investing in some awesome equipment!

UNIFORM CHEST RIG
1 The uniform used by the US Navy SEALs in ZD30 is the Crye 3 It's not uncommon to see the London Bridge Trading 1961 chest
Precision NC suit in AOR1. AOR1 and AOR2 are two types of rig in use still, usually over the top of an armour vest. In some
camouflage specifically designed for use by the SEALs and although instances, this rig can be seen used by actors in ZD30 and it gives you a
commercial versions like the broadly named “Desert Digital” and the US great option to make the load out more practical for use. Again, like the
Marines Desert MARPAT camouflages appear similar, there are discreet rest of this load out, this is a super-expensive bit of kit if you're looking
and subtle differences. You'll struggle to find a real set of SEAL-surplus to source the real deal item in AOR1. Thanksfully, since this film's release,
in AOR1 and even if you do, the asking prices are eye-watering and it will a handful of manufacturers that like to replicate these sort-after items
set you back a pretty penny and is currently such a collector’s item, you quickly jumped on the 'SEAL wagon' to quench the desire for SEAL kit. One
could be forgiven for not wanting to ruin it on the skirmish field. brand in particular has really gone to town getting the detail just right!
OUR SUGGESTION OUR SUGGESTION
There's really only one clear winner when it A few years ago, your only option here would
comes to replica Crye Precision equipment, be to hope you lucked upon a replica from Toy
and that’s the guys and girls at SEMAPO Soldier Workshop, but as we've just mentioned,
Gear. SEMAPO have very quickly established the replica market has seen the demand and
themselves as a premium manufacturer, with responded. In our opinion, you’ve got two solid
a number of the AI team making use of their options here. The first is (you guessed it) from
equipment. Having owned real-deal Crye SEMAPO Gear, but is on the expensive side
Precision equipment, SEMAPO’s replica really ($200 +shipping). Alternatively, you can pick
isn’t far off, but the price point reflects this. up the Flyye Industries model for around £80.

HOLSTER POUCHES
2 Throughout the screenplay you can see a couple of fabric drop 4 Any pouches that aren’t integrated into the LBT rigs used are
leg pistol holsters in use, but if you read through “No Easy Day” generally MOLLE Crye Precision, Eagle or LBT pouches that can
Mark Owen comments that most SEALs prefer to use a belt mounted be fitted to rig as and where required. If you watch closely, a number of
holster. You occasionally see a Blackhawk! SERPA holster in use, holding basic, olive green MOLLE pouches can be seen in use during the screen
a Sig P226 but more often you’ll see a Safariland 6004 retention holster time. These are blended in with a good dose of dust, an effect you can
mounted directly to the belt of the wearer. achieve by lightly spraying the pouches with tan coloured spray paint.
OUR SUGGESTION OUR SUGGESTION
Because there is such a wide range of This is a hard one if truth be told, as a lot of
variants throughout the film, we’d honestly the pouches are rather hard to ID. Personally,
just say go with what you have here to save we would go with the plate carrier + chest
on spending more money. If you want to rig combo detailed above, but if you want
perfect the look though, you can’t go wrong to simply build a plate carrier set up, then
with the aforementioned Safariland 6004, an assortment of pouches from a range of
wrapped in an AOR1 fabric wrap. manufacturers wouldn’t look out of place.

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