BSAP SPECIALS

BSAP THE SPECIALS

Police Urban Emergency Unit which was modelled on SWAT formations across the world was based in Salisbury, Bulawayo, Umtali and Gwelo to counter urban terrorism. Operations prepared for were sniper, abseiling, hostage situations and terrorists holding out in buildings or multi story buildings.

Dress is Riot Blues, blue cap, and or blue OTAN/NATO helmets. Small arms and Uzi sub machine guns as well as sniper rifles.

The information was found in the book ‘Contact’.

 

BSAP VEHICLES

The BSAP apart from its normal Patrol Cars and Land Rovers as the war intensifies were issued with various Mine and Ambush Protected vehicles. The light MAP vehicles were also used by farmers, civilians, civilian firms, and other Government Departments.

The BSAP in the towns and cities would also have a certain number of MAP vehicles painted light grey.

All departments of the BSAP which included PATU, Support Unit, The Mounted Unit were issued with these vehicles.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

BSAP CONVOY OPERATIONS

As the bush war hotted up in the late 70s there were a number of occasions of ambushes on the main roads to disrupt communications, commerce and tourism. The Police Reserve were used to man these convoys. On occasion army were used to bolster these defences with troops on MAP vehicles, armoured cars on occasion and also Grey’s Scouts in MAP vehicles would escort and be a quick reaction and followup to an ambush.

The Datsun vanets were armed with a variety of machine guns in turrets.

 

BSAP WINTER AND SUMMER DRESS IN THE TOWNS AND CITIES.

PAINTING BSAP DISTRICT FIGURES

Painting BSAP DISTRICT Figures.

After much trial and error I came down to this set of colours to get the BSAP uniform as accurate as possible.

The Figures.

Using Eureka 28mm figures Aden Range of British Troops I then cut off the bush hat heads or Glengarry to replace with peaked caps.

I purchased  peaked cap heads from Gripping Beast WW1 range.

56 Ammo pouches were removed leaving one in most cases and also removing water bottle.

 

1966 Early BSAP. Riot uniform was used in the early operations by the BSAP but the Dark Blue and Light Grey was not good camouflage in the bush and thus the BSAP went over to camouflage combat uniform.

Riot Uniform

Shirt – Light Grey Humbrol 127

Trousers, bush hat, Peaked cap band – White Ensign Blue Grey.

Peaked cap – Humbrol 26 Khaki.

Boots – Humbrol 70

Cap Badge – Humbrol 54.

By the late 60s Rhodesian camouflage was introduced but in those early days the shirt was green. These uniforms were used in the districts and in the bush.

 

In later years camouflage was worn on a regular basis in the Districts and bush. From 1977 onwards rifles were camouflaged.

 

Camouflage shirt, trousers, combat jacket and combat cap.

Base colour:- Humbrol 83 plus a touch of Humbrol 103.

Green:- Humbrol 86.

Brown:- Humbrol 29.

Rolled sleeves Humbrol 83 and 103.

Webbing:- Humbrol 84.

Sleeping Bag:-  olive drab or Dark Earth.

European Patrol Officer – Humbrol 61Flesh.

African Constable –  Skin colour:-Humbrol  29.

Rifle.

Rifle – Gun Metal Humbrol Met 201.

Rifle furniture – Humbrol 70.

Rifle Camouflaged

Rifle:- Base colour Humbrol 76 plus HM5 authentic humbrol, stripe pattern 83.

Rifle strap:- Humbrol 83 and Humbrol 103.

Figure Base.

Figure Base:-  Humbrol 93 and Humbrol 103 high lights.

 

BSAP setting up a Vehicle Check Point near Bulawayo 1980

 

CHIBAYA MOYO-BOOK.

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

From Burma and Malaya to Beitbridge and the border mountains. From 1RAR to 6 (Indep). Chibaya Moyo strikes to the heart of the RAR story.

Order your copy now for Christmas. A great deal at £10 + p&p.

Contact ironhorse1@btconnect.com to place your orders.

Rhodesia Regiment – Book

I think I am going to spoil myself and get a copy of this.

 

Christmas Special:
‘Rhodesia Regiment 1899-1981’ definitive history book.
UK ONLY £39.50 inc. P&P.
Enquiries by email ONLY: g.van-tonder@sky.com