Riker87

You are absolutely right, Paul.

Thank you Paul, today I've got a lette from Cuba of my main "source" with many good news for the next year (when I'll travel again to Cuba) I will try my best to find someting you are interested. The shoulder boards were made by the soviets. They are showing the letters: FAR (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias). Pictures of them, you find here.

The shoulder boards are soviet, only the stars are cuban made. Until 1988 the Cubans used the same soviet shoulder boards, which were adapted how you've described. From 1988 until ca. the mid 90s, the Cubans used this shoulder boards too, but modified. They've cut the straps of the shoulder boards off and slided them on the straps of the new beige shirts, which are still in use. Here a picture of this modified shoulder boards on the new shirts, which were introduced in 1988. I could take some photos in the Army Museum of Dresden (ex East German Army museum of the NVA): And here a picture of a MININT uniform which is actually in use:

You're welcome. No, this version was only in use from 1976 until 1988. I name this era "the soviet era" because in this time the Cubans used many soviet parts and equipment for their uniforms (for example the collar tabs, shoulder boards, green shirts etc.)

Hi Paul, I hope this picture will it explain better than me in words.

Yesterday my Coronel's service uniform of the Boarder Guards has been arrived from the USA. It's the same model like in the army. Only the buttons have a silver colour. The Cuban Boarder Guards belongs to the Ministry of the Interior. That's why the hat badge shows "MININT" - Ministerio del Interior. More pictures of it you'll find the next days on my site cuba-militaria.

A few days ago my Cuban Battle Dress Unit of the 80s has been arrived from the UK. I've searched a long time for it. Now it is almost complete. I only need an olive drab cap. And here are the suitable soviet made laced combat boots: More pictures you'll find here. The english text will follow the next days.

Yes, I have: a 80s BDU and a Boarder Guards service uniform of the 70s/80s too. I will upload some pics of them here on gmic.

I've got my sources arround the world. And I've got the luck to know some guys in Cuba.

Thanks Paul! This epaulettes will slide onto the shirt.

Hello guys, here my new "General de Brigada" sleeve epaulettes. They were worn by Brigadier General José Quevedo. This insignias in this form were introduced in 1988 and they're are still in use. I think my epaulettes were produced in the first half of the 1990's. Another interesting cuban Militaria you'll find on my side.

No problem Lion101. Can you upload some pics of your items?

Yes, but it's the same camouflage type, only different colours variants. The Cuban internationalists in Angola and Mozambique had three colour patterns. You find them here.

Hello Gentlemen, here is my new uniform of the "Brigada de la Frontera" (without patch yet). The actual "Cuban grey lizard" has a lighter grey, dark green and a dark brown than older models like in the 70's and 80's. The letters and numbers have the following meaning: B-1 = batallón #1 (battalion) C-1 = compañía #1 (company) P-2 = pelotón #2 (platoon) 74 = número del soldado

You're welcome. I don't understand this situation too. But it's ok, so we've got an exotic area of collection. :-) What's your another cuban items?

Yesterday my book has been received (very fast, only 3 weekdays!). This book is an absolute must for every Cuban militaria collector! It's very manageable and very good structured. Thanks for everything, Aivars.

Thanks Paul. I've got many other items, which I found in my Cuba vacations this year. ;-)

Hola Lion101, I've got this patch too. The meaning of "Cátedra Militar" is military professorship. And "M.E.S." means "Ministerio de Educación Superior". The M.E.S. was found in july 1976.

I bought this jacket last week in Cuba. It's from the mid - late 70's (the time when Cuba introduced the new soviet rank insignia's system). The cut is extensive the same like uniform jackets from the 60's (look my jacket of 1965). Only a few changes. For example this jacket has no stripes on sleeves and the pockets have no press buttons. The epaulettes are sewed.

Hello Eddie, the following information gave me my "source" (he is officer in the army): 1 bar - until Primer Teniente 2 bars - until Capitán 3 bars - Mayor and Teniente Coronel 4 bars - Coronel 4 + 1 bar - General de Brigada 4 + 2 bars - General de División 4 + 3 bars - General del Cuerpo About your question: I don't know.^^ Saludos Manuel

Hello guys, I'm back from Cuba and I have many, many new militaria items. Here are my new ribbon bars: And the back side:

Eddi is right, the ribbon bar in the middle is the "Medalla Conmemorativa 30 Anniversario de las FAR". "First issued commemerative medals are always first on ribbon bars if mounted correctly." That's correct, but Cubans aren't so strict in these things like the red Prussians. @ Paul: Thanks. The next february I fly to Cuba, Let's see what I can get in my hands.

Yesterday my second Major's jacket of the FAR received. It's from the mid 70's (the time when Cuba introduced the new soviet rank insignia's system). The cut is extensive the same like uniform jackets from the 60's (look my jacket of 1965). Only a few changes. For example this jacket has no stripes on sleeves and the pockets have no press buttons. The epaulettes are sewed. And here are another epaulettes (possible for the field uniform).

Here my new uniform of the "Brigada Especial Nacional" of the Ministry of the Interior.

The cap band is very strange. The inside looks like the branch insignia of a judge advocate. For me, it is indefinable. But one thing is certain: it's not Cuban.