Turkish Gear: Vogel Tactical PC
By Diego
Author’s Vogel Tactical PC in the standard army nano pattern. The admin pouch is absent, but the vest did come with these Boran Taktik made magazine pouches. We will cover Boran Taktik in another blog.
Vogel Tactical, which is based in Istanbul, provides the Turkish military, law enforcement and civilian recreational market with tactical equipment. Their offerings include softshell jackets in different colors and camouflage patterns, pants, backpacks, rucksacks and plate carriers.
Vogel Tactical PC in the Jandarma pattern variant
Their plate carrier is a low profile and streamlined design that incorporates pragmatic design cues, despite the cost being a modest 279 TL (40 USD). The vest’s front flap opens up, revealing the left and right cummerbund both attached to the velcro inside, like most other plate carriers on the market. The rear cummerbund interestingly enough has the same design as well and mirrors the front panel and attaches via velcro, which seems less adjustable than bungee cord rear cummerbunds, but the velcro system is significantly easier to manipulate. Its MOLLE webbing is a softer material but usable, and the Cordura body itself is stiff and durable.
The vest fits standard 10x12 SAPI plates snugly and with ease. Inside is the vest’s inner mesh which sticks to the wearer’s body and allows for more breathability and comfort.
A conscript with his privately purchased VT PC
Those who purchase this vest will find a full set of MOLLE attached pouches included, consisting of an admin pouch, 2 grenade pouches, and 4 magazine pouches which look like a rudimentary mimic of the HSGI Taco design. Standard MOLLE can be found across the front and rear panel of the vest and along the cummerbund.
The questionable quality of the magazine pouches is likely why my vest, purchased from a Turkish-French source, came with higher quality aftermarket Boran Taktik pouches that replaced the stock pouches.
Close up of the tag of my Boran Taktik (formerly Hun Taktik) magazine pouches.
Vogel Tactical PC in the Police Special Operations PÖH pattern.
Some conscripts and Turkish Army individuals deployed to Afrin use this vest in the Turkish Nano variant. The other color patterns, such as Coyote Brown, black and the police PÖH pattern have so far not been found photographed in use.
My only point of contention however is the shoulder straps and stitching attaching it to the vest. Although it is triple stitched as it is a load bearing point, the strap is fairly thin and with extra force seems to be a failure point. A widened soulder strap and more stitching would fare well for this vest.
Front of the plate carrier and the stitching. A wider strap and more stitching would make this vest tougher.
Rear of the vest and shoulder strap
Overall, I would sooner save another $30 and recommend a higher quality vest by Anafarta Taktik for example, not to mention the fact that this vest is not necessarily the most “kosher” and that well documented in field use.
For the bargain hunters however, it is a good starting point, and I stress the importance of changing the sub par magazine pouches first and foremost. This is a vest meant to survive the rigors of 5 months to a year of conscription, and does that well. But an intense 48 hour milsim event may stretch this vest’s ability to the limits. It’ll surely survive, but some extra care will be needed. #nofarbzone
Seen here is the VT PC in the experimental Turkish woodland pattern
Coyote brown variant
These also come in a black variant