Cold war re-enactor kit

[45jim]

We used to soak the whole thing in liquid waterproof treatment provided for combat boots. Unfortunately, the only thing that happened when wearing this crap was sweating, you were guaranteed to get wet while wearing it - raining or not! We used to leave it folded in our mess tins (also not used) for inspections and use American wet weather gear.

[jeff davis]

In 1982 We Were Issued with the CF Poncho When Deployed for the C.F.E Flyover. RCR 31 Bravo Track Commander Sgt Mcandrews
Driver Cpl Nick name Smoke ,The Poncho was a Much Desired thing to the Reg force Guys
Jeff Davis

[rob love]

If there was an acceptable way to keep rain out of those rain suits, I never found it. The poncho, as mentioned by Jeff was the preferred method of staying dry along with the American rainsuits.

Perhaps if you wanted to make a display of useless/non-working items the CF has issued, you could make the rainsuit the center of the project. Around it you could put things like the Beta light, the $16 plastic watches that often did not work right out of the box, and a package of Macaroni and peas, which was supplied as a Breakfast entree.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Poncho vs rainsuit. I found the former left a waterlogged dripline on my shins. The latter at least had sleeves and measure of watertight sides/bottoms. The 50's oilcloth ones were and are dynamite! There was another style I saw once, but can't describe.

- The 70s US issue rubberized rainsuit was great for breaking the wind on blustery days. But it was waterproof, and heated up inside. Sean Maloney's book on the Brigade in Germany mentions how badly the field clothing was, and how many guys bought/stole US rainsuits, liners and pants just to stay dry.
- The 70s Canadian issue plasticized nylon rainsuit was the opposite. Many guys complain that it let in as much water as it kept out. The QM issued white spray cans of silicone waterproofing to try to get around the porosity. I recall the hood buttoned on.
- The 80s Canadian issue rainsuit was better on all accounts, but suffered from the bad rep' of its predecessor. IIRC, the hood was permanently attached.
- The latest issue Goretex rainsuit is one of the best things the Army ever adopted (from the Air Force).
- I had a fantastic Arid CADPAT rainsuit in Afghanistan that was a fabric and vinyl coating. The QM lady (a civilian contractor) didn't recognize it, but thought it was a very early style that had been reissued roto after roto.

[Scott Bentley]

Heck the American Jacket Liner and Rain Jacket (AKA Poor Mans Gortex) were still in vogue well into the late 90s. I still pack the liner around, as pound for pound its pretty effective snivel kit, although the troops ridicule me for wearing it. Funny how times change.

Stuart, if you don't already have one, the Horse Blanket Poncho Liner is another great item to showcase. I don't know how the CF could take something so nice like the US Poncho Liner and turn it into the most inflexible POS.

[rob love]

Let us not forget the $2 arctic sunglasses in a cloth case that broke no matter how you packed them.

Or the incredible shrinking toques, that if you were not careful they would shrink so small they wouldn't even be of use to the Shuar tribes.

And God couldn't even help you if you were to put some bleach in with the combats.

[Robert Bergeron]

Hey guys ,

Nobody mentionned the rather well named ''funny hats '' we had to wear in the field .

How about the 12 pound rubber boots ( so they seemed when recovered in mud ) now replaced by the Goretex boots. ?

Robert

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

I had a fantastic Arid CADPAT rainsuit in Afghanistan that was a fabric and vinyl coating. The QM lady (a civilian contractor) didn't recognize it, but thought it was a very early style that had been reissued roto after roto.

IIRC, we were issued those jackets brand new in Kabul, early 2005. When I returned to Kandahar in 2006 we were issued something similar to the current jacket. The most peculiar part was getting Arid CADPAT LBV's in Kabul. I'm talking the same fishing vests we had in Yugoslavia. Somehow, even with the newer (albeit still crappy) Tactical Vest in the system for a number of years, some bozo in procurement managed resurrect the even worse Load Bearing Vest from the 90s in Arid. There was a collective "WTF?" as we were standing in QM and the Bin Rats brought those out.

[universalgrl]

Don't forget the ham and egg omelets, rusks, and those green pieces of flying junk called griffins.

[maple_leaf_eh]

The US Ranger blanket is dynamite - soft, durable and squishy. The CF issue horse blanket was crap - stiff, never-to-be-used so it never wore out, and crisp. The excuse I heard for the fail was fire retardancy and made in Canada.

BTW Scott, I have a set of US liners for winter pants. Four Yankee folding dollars at some surplus store. I like them a lot! So much I split the outside leg seam and sewed in full length zippers. No need to take off my boots for donning and doffing.

Speaking of Cold War accessories, don't forget the pale yellow Melmac cup, plate and bowl. Either carry them in the gas mask bag, or some form of drawstring bag. No need to replace the KFS. The nesting Canadian set made by Heritage in Perth, ON are as good as any kitchen utensils. The only ones I like better are the set I stole from the German mess hall at Camp Butmir in Sarajevo. A big bowl and a comfortable handle.

Boots, Rubber, Clumsy - when I was a very youthful soldier I had a summer callout in Alert as a construction worker. Every building had a cloakroom inside the double doors. The trick was to spray paint your boots some exotic pattern so they wouldn't get switched. If you had a choice, always take about 2 sizes too big just to keep the zippers from blowing out.