SimonLMoore

Reviving an old thread I know, forigve me. It would appear these (and the matching trousers) date back to around the early to mid 1960s. They are indeed flight deck protective clothing. I've attached some photos from the period. Unfortunately the most distinctive identifying elements are hidden beneath the surcoats but elements such as the buttoned lower pockets, large double-button flap at the collar, elasticated outer cuffs etc. are visible.

Hi Chaps, sorry I seem to be spamming the forum with queries at the moment but I'm wondering if anyone out there knows the date of introduction for the Mk. 4 helmet modified to take the perspex riot visor? It's something I've not been able to turn up in any of my books or online, including a search of this forum so would be grateful if anyone knows or could point me in the right direction. Secondly I'd be interested to know was the modified helmet issued outside Northern Ireland to anyone's knowledge? Cheers in advance!

Very tidy, nice to see!

Thanks for the info chaps, I've been over the pack again and can't find any trace of manufacturers stamps anywhere.

I decided to purchase one of the belts offered by Silvermans as they aren't too expensive and I could combine postage with another item so here are some photos. In this instance I think the loops might have been added after initial manufacture. As you can see it has a pair of D rings at the back, the original is plastic, the other a metal replacement.

It is indeed an oddity, I take it then the Belt Waist (Adjustable) follows the Mk 2 1958 pattern exactly? From photos I've seen of the latter I can't pick out any differences. I will admit I plan to use it as a stand in on my nylon set until I find an example of proper vintage.

Hi Paul, thanks for that, as I say I have the earlier pack frame with the D rings to take the shoulder straps, will put some photos up when I get it in order. I know what you mean by the nylon webbing loops on the waist belt but the difference I'm referring to is on the back, the one Silvermans sell separately from the rucksacks have two D rings on the back whereas the type I've seen and the one they sell attached to the rucksack when bought complete has straps and buckles on the back to attach to the frame. It's possible the belts they're selling separately have been modified or are for a different purpose?

I've been reading back through the forum and that does seem to be the case, thanks for that. Likewise would be very interested to see the manual for each set of equipment.

Hi Chaps, hoping someone might be able to advise, looking for advice on the RM arctic rucksack waist belt, I've recently purchased a ruck on the earlier yellow frame and I'm looking to pick up a suitable waist belt. Silvermans sell what they say are the belts which look right save for having two D rings on the back rather than strap and buckles to attach to the frame as I've seen on other examples, are these belts Silvermans have something completely different or a variation? Either way I'm looking for the right belt for a pre-'83 rucksack.

Hi chaps, would be interested if someone with a nylon 1958 pattern belt in their collection might be able to compare it to this 1995 dated Belt Waist (Adjustable). Are there any difference in detail of construction etc? I'm just intrigued if this belt is, essentially, the same as the nylon 1958 trials pattern as a point of interest.

A shame really as they could have done with making the pack a bit more voluminous and providing a better system of carriage but there we are!

Not that I can see Paul, the dimensions seem around the same, there is one other slight difference I've noticed, the hooks to attach to the yoke are the other way up, that is they hook down onto the d-rings as opposed to up and under them as on the issue packs.

Forgive my ignorance but which system is the '75 pattern? I'm aware of what many call '72 pattern but not '75 pattern, could anyone give me a description or share a photo? It's possible I know it but by a different, incorrect name!

Thought this might interest some on here, picked up at Stoneleigh last weekend, a 1957 dated trials 1958 pattern pack with the press stud to secure the quick release shovel/pick axe handle carrier. I'm afraid it proved rather difficult to photograph the markings.

As said here are photos of my nylon version of this pack and a photo of the same pattern in use during the '90-'91 Gulf War.

Resurrecting this thread once again, sorry I did not previously respond to the above reply, thanks for the info! It seems then that it might have been a trial item not introduced officially but picked up and produced by private companies. The photo I linked from the IWM shows fixtures and fittings as you say clearly taken from the '44 Pattern webbing so it looks like it could well be a trial item however versions I've examined have different ends to the web straps and sometimes different (American style) clips, weight of webbing material etc. The pack board and straps are based on the design of the field pack introduced by Australia during their involvement in Vietnam or perhaps even vice versa. I've recently picked up one of the nylon versions in a fairly light green with tan straps. I have a photo of one in British Army use, in the Gulf of all places in 1990! When I get chance I'll post photos of the pack and the photo of it in use.

Thanks for linking these Clive, I've not come across them when searching the forum. I knew of the rather cryptic/unhelpful nomenclature the Navy used at times but as you say from a casual glance the part number system does look rather baffling!

Thanks Clive, now I know, brilliant reference! And thanks for an answer to the cotton glove question Neil :-D

I'm intrigued, what identifies them as RAF? I'm still a relative newbie to most of this!

A pair of 1968 dated CB gloves, I noted there's no mention of 'outer' in the nomenclature, were these worn with inner gloves or did that have to wait for the introduction of improved NBC kit in the early '70s?

Not really uniform/clothing but in the absence of a personal kit section of the forum... I'm interested to know from those on here who served in the '50s to '80s period was it common to carry extra first aid items in addition to the issued field/shell dressings? Even just a tin of elastoplast? I'm basing this line of though on photos of Fusilier Payne's kit from WW2, he had provided himself with a small first aid kit consisting of bandage, elastoplast and lint and I can imagine the practice of supplementing issue first aid items continuing post-war but as usual I don't like to assume. Was a general issue first aid kit introduced in this period? I know of the jungle J-Pack but thinking of a more widely issued item. Many thanks in advance!

As far as I know it's entirely coincidental.

Just resurrecting this thread as I think I have an answer to this after some digging, it's one of these; http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1360021180 What one of these is in real terms however I do not know, trials pattern? This was indeed carried by General Moore in the Falklands, I've located at least one photo showing the pack. The back is similar to the Australian packs issued from the late '60s with a pack board, two padded sections and padded shoulder straps.

I will, thanks for the heads up.

On the look out for the Mk. 2 (button front) version of the blue RN foul weather jacket. Here's hoping someone has one spare!