Tiger Stripe: A Camouflage History

In the dense jungles of Vietnam, survival depended on more than courage—it depended on concealment.

Tiger stripe camouflage was not just a pattern. It was a weapon.

Forged in the chaos of unconventional warfare, tiger stripe became the signature of elite units, reconnaissance teams, and warriors operating deep behind enemy lines. It broke the human silhouette, disrupted recognition, and gave those who wore it a critical edge in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth.

But the story of tiger stripe is more than fabric and color.

It is a story of adaptation under fire.Of innovation born from necessity.Of men who operated in the shadows—and the tools that helped keep them alive.

In Tiger Stripe: A Camouflage History, David Burnell takes you beyond surface-level descriptions and into the real-world evolution of one of the most iconic camouflage patterns ever created. Drawing from historical research, field application, and a lifetime of operational experience, this book explores:

* The origins and early development of tiger stripe patterns

* The variations used by U.S. Special Forces, MACV-SOG, and allied units

* The practical function of camouflage in jungle warfare

* How pattern, scale, and contrast impact real-world concealment

* The legacy of tiger stripe in modern military and civilian use

This is not a catalog.This is not theory.

This is the reality of camouflage as it was used—under pressure, in combat, where getting it wrong had consequences.

Whether you are a student of military history, a camouflage enthusiast, or someone who understands that details matter when lives are on the line, this book delivers a clear and grounded look at one of the most respected patterns ever worn in war.

Some patterns are designed.Tiger stripe was earned.

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