Canadian Cold War re-enactment information

[Stuart Fedak]

Text removed as information is no longer current

[chris vickery]

Stuart
I am sure ou know that the Iltis was really only around almost when the Cold War was finished, aka 1990 and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
So technically the Iltis did see some service during the dying days between 1984-90 while the conflict in Bosnia was in the early 90's.
What are you looking for information on, kit? Uniform etc?

[Ed Storey]

Stuart:

Cold War Kit is too broad a term. The Cold War lasted for 50 years and saw a clothing evolution from WWII Battle Dress to OG107 Combats. What you are looking for is 1980s combats and field equipment. There is no book on this topic although John Cameron's on-line MP Museum has a lot of information that you can draw upon. Perhaps you might be better off getting a maniquin and dressing it in the clothing and equipement of the era and standing it beside your Iltis rather then attempting to play the part as a re-enactor.

ED

http://mpmuseum.org/

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

It seems to me I have seen a small CF issue handbook that showed most of the 80s combats. If anyone has a spare copy, I would appreciate picking one up.....
Stuart

Are you talking about the little handbook for the new webbing? I have a copy of that kicking around downstairs somewhere, but have never seen one covering the combat clothing. Seems like everything you needed to know was on the label inside the uniform.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Chris,

Yes, the Iltis came into service during 1984, 1985 and 1986. By the end of 1986, the entire Iltis fleet was in Canadian service.
Cheers!
Stuart

I thought the M151A2 was still in service into 1987 in the Tow missile role with the Cdn airborne, waiting for an Iltis platform. Did there end up being an Iltis Tow launcher?

Re the best before date of the Iltis, I was in Cypress in 89, and the Iltis was pulled from service then and replaced with the Pajero. It was already passing it's best before date, or so the LCMMs thought.

[rob love]

So looking at that, I would say the Iltis were not fully implemented until 1988. The Iltis you show the history for appears to have sat in a supply depot until it went to a work center for conversion. It was then issued for the first time to the Airborne in May of 88.

I take it this means the M151A2 remained in that role until about that date as well. I recall the parts still being actively in the supply system around 88.

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by rob love

So looking at that, I would say the Iltis were not fully implemented until 1988. The Iltis you show the history for appears to have sat in a supply depot until it went to a work center for conversion. It was then issued for the first time to the Airborne in May of 88.

I take it this means the M151A2 remained in that role until about that date as well. I recall the parts still being actively in the supply system around 88.

Hopefully Steve Hawken chimes in. His 151 was a Missile Launcher Carrier, and IIRC was still in the system until 1990.

EDIT, I don't have it handy but I actually found the publication that showed how to prep the TOW M151A2 for parachute operations which features none other than Steve Hawken's M151A2. It was dated for the early 90s as well. As a side note, most of us dream of finding an in service pic of our rigs and here Hawken gets a whole publication showcasing his.... some guy's luck eh.

[Harry Moon]

There was a small Cold War event this past weekend at Fort Rodd Hill in Victoria BC. Hosted by the Victoria Esquimalt Military Re-enactors Association. I'll look for pics.

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Also, most, if not all the uniforms and other kit used in Bosnia was typical Canadian Cold War issue.

Cheers!
Stuart

Actually, this isn't entirely accurate Stuart.

In the tail end of the "Cold War" circa 1990 was 82 Pattern Webbing, Steel Pot Helmets, Four Seasons Jackets, and if you were a Reservist likely still carried an FN Rifle.

By the time we rolled into Bosnia, we had Kevlar Helmets, Tactical Vests (albeit terrible ones), Goretex Boots, Goretex Jackets, and carried C7A1s.