The funny thing about soldiers is the old kit is always the best kit. I remember wanting a rucksack with the sleeping bag on the bottom, then getting it and wanting the old rucksack back. You should hear all the complaining about the Tac Vest now. I say given em a P64 webbing set in training, they will not complain then.
Picture of the day
- Thread starter jwhc
- Start date
The funny thing about soldiers is the old kit is always the best kit. I remember wanting a rucksack with the sleeping bag on the bottom, then getting it and wanting the old rucksack back. You should hear all the complaining about the Tac Vest now. I say given em a P64 webbing set in training, they will not complain then.
We were issued the '51 pattern web gear. It was archaic when it was first adopted and didn't improve with age. Getting up in full marching order was a major chore and totally useless for any extended use, an exercise in military folly inflicted on long suffering soldiers.
I've got books on the historic packs worn by British forces since Napoleonic times. You can bet it was designed by parade square Officers at Whitehall who never had to wear it in the field.
I've got books on the historic packs worn by British forces since Napoleonic times. You can bet it was designed by parade square Officers at Whitehall who never had to wear it in the field.
I remember the '51 pattern very well. It was basically an update of the WW2 P37 webbing. If it was good enough for dad, it was good enough for me.
The last piece I saw in use was at the Detention Barracks in Edmonton where the inmates were put to work polishing the metal, then dulling it down afterwards.
The last piece I saw in use was at the Detention Barracks in Edmonton where the inmates were put to work polishing the metal, then dulling it down afterwards.
Its funny though, one of the things that has never changed is the demand for the coveted jump ruck. For the life, of me why they don't just bring those in for general issue I will never know.
Kampfhamster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Switzerland
Depends, compared to what we had in basic in 2002 the swiss kit nowadays is miles ahead. And when I have a look at what my dad had to use in the 80's I'm glad not having had to serve then.
- Location
- Leduc County, Alberta
The 64 pattern ruck with A7A straps for the sleeping bag carrier was the cats ass, far and away better then the bunch of coat hangers spot welded together that replaced it. I took anything of value strap wise from the 84 Pattern for Ironman 97 to make my dream ruck.
The 64 pattern ruck with A7A straps for the sleeping bag carrier was the cats ass, far and away better then the bunch of coat hangers spot welded together that replaced it. I took anything of value strap wise from the 84 Pattern for Ironman 97 to make my dream ruck.
The only thing bad about the '64 rucksack was the plastic fastener for the quick release shoulder strap that kept breaking. We tried to get them to make just that one part out of metal, but they wouldn't agree. It was all plastic or nothing.
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
Spare a thought for Poor Old Sparky.
The radio gets heavier as the day goes on.
Gotta stay close to the Leutnant, and he thinks he's bulletproof.
And that Luftwaffe buttmuch who think's he's Goering's Gift to Der Funkerfraulein won't take a hint and feck off already.
The radio gets heavier as the day goes on.
Gotta stay close to the Leutnant, and he thinks he's bulletproof.
And that Luftwaffe buttmuch who think's he's Goering's Gift to Der Funkerfraulein won't take a hint and feck off already.
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
Spare a thought for Poor Old Sparky.
The radio gets heavier as the day goes on.
Gotta stay close to the Leutnant, and he thinks he's bulletproof.
And that Luftwaffe buttmuch who think's he's Goering's Gift to Der Funkerfraulein won't take a hint and feck off already.
the woman in the back looks like she is on a stationary bicycle... peddle generator I suspect.
Could be on a bike...but I actually have the receiver unit that is on top in the foreground. That is the first time I have seen the complete equipment package and the way the receiver is connected to the lower unit. However the lower unit is obviously a power pack of some sort...my heavy receiver cable (which you can see in the photo connecting the receiver to the lower 'box' is fed from a transformer that takes two types of batteries each with a different type of connector...one is an open spade ('C') ended the battery type connectors are 'pins' that plug into female terminals. I believe that the transformer...and very probably the batteries..are in the lower box. They are remarkable compared to comparable allied units..the receiver for example is contained in a sealed 'box' and the steel cover has compression clamps securing it when attached..also has a rubber seal to maintain a watertight condition. Impressive engineering! Chassis is beautifully build of aluminum or similar alloy.
I have grown to hate passionately Canadian military signals equipment (except field phones) ...too many dials that seem to accomplish nothing other than keep the signaller occupied. Carried, ran, walked, climbed and cursed 25sets for many many hours under radio silence only to discover when you did need the thing for one simple signal...the damn thing didnt work!!!
I'm ex RCSigs. Before things changed at Vimy Barracks, there was a good museum of signals equipment from WWII. The German stuff was way ahead of ours in quality and efficiency.
I was a Lineman/Cable Splicer, but we got exposed to some radio stuff as well. I was always amazed at how archaic, clumsy and cumbersome our kit was compared to the German.
I was a Lineman/Cable Splicer, but we got exposed to some radio stuff as well. I was always amazed at how archaic, clumsy and cumbersome our kit was compared to the German.
Hey!!!!! That's my story and I have told it a million times over.
Glad I was not the only one.
I was the biggest guy on Basic, had to hump a 25 Set and a C2.
Actually, those 25 Sets got me into Amateur Radio years later.
We used to have a lot of nicknames for Sigs!!!
Let's see,,,,
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My Dad was a radio man in WWII Had a lot of hearing lose he blamed on the radio. Is that still common? (all the guns going off around you probably had a lot to do with it as well)
He never talked much about those days.
Actually the only thing he had much to say about was the Canadians were fed through the Brits. It was really bad I guess.
He never talked much about those days.
Actually the only thing he had much to say about was the Canadians were fed through the Brits. It was really bad I guess.
that IS a big load.... I managed (was instructed) to carry the wireless sets occasionally as a private... I continued as a Sect comdr, Pl comdr and Coy cmdr. .. in fact I dont remember ever being in the field without carrying a radio and a C1 until after I finished being a Coy comdr. And after that I didnt have to carry it so much ... but did learn to sleep with it. We were reminded that nothing said "Target" better than two men running around in close proximity on the battlefield... the man in front with a map case, binoculars and a pistol and the out of breath man following closely behind with a 6 foot whip antenna waving back and forth!
Fortunately I didnt have to carry a C2 with the attendant ammo weight but did carry a C1 and certainly envied the SMG.
One of the earliest casualties in Sicily was the CO of the RCR, LCol Crowe, who was going forward because he lost all comms. and got into a shooting match.
Yes ... undependable and archaic for sure. However as I mentioned .. I really liked the old field phones! You could drive a tent peg in with one. Drop it in a river ... shake it off and it still worked like a 'Bell Canada' business line.
