What is the best piece of kit ever issued
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: One Three Seven, Disco Heaven.
Age: 65
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
18 Posts
Best was the Long Johns I was issued with to go South in Dec 82. Still got them, and wore them out in the Cheviots at the weekend, warm as toast. The SLR, when I got my hands on one, always felt comfortable with it. The pair of work shorts I was issued with in Belize in 81. I think they were actually Royal Engineer issue, we all had them over at the Williamson site. 6 month tour, cut down, never washed, thick with diesel, petrol, grease and other assorted crud. Made a nice wee fire after my last day at work there.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Tin-opener
The wire-saw
The reflector mirror with a sight
V-force bunny suit
Silk inner gloves
The Chinese copy of the AK47 with the folding stock - oops, not issued: bought in Africa for £12!
but la creme de la creme
aircrew socks - 20 odd years on, I still enjoy them.
I was given some Gucci Army boots a couple of years ago - they are now wearing in nicely and so much better than Boots DMS
The wire-saw
The reflector mirror with a sight
V-force bunny suit
Silk inner gloves
The Chinese copy of the AK47 with the folding stock - oops, not issued: bought in Africa for £12!
but la creme de la creme
aircrew socks - 20 odd years on, I still enjoy them.
I was given some Gucci Army boots a couple of years ago - they are now wearing in nicely and so much better than Boots DMS
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Still got my boot socks after 21 years. Impossible to wear out
The Sanders offficers oxfords were brill
Officers brown gloves. Left my set in a car I sold. B*gger
not issue but my swiss army knife still going.
Biscuits. Brown
That Kendal Mint Cake that came with the Hexi stove never tasted good though
The Sanders offficers oxfords were brill
Officers brown gloves. Left my set in a car I sold. B*gger
not issue but my swiss army knife still going.
Biscuits. Brown
That Kendal Mint Cake that came with the Hexi stove never tasted good though
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: The Fletcher Memorial Home
Age: 59
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I'd vote for Boots - High leg (gardening, bondu bashing, and all round outside mucky jobs) and the old blue denims. For some reason the green denims never felt the same!
Honourable mentions to the DPM jacket and trousers, and the knife/fork/spoon sets.
With regard to the PT undergarments for the WRAF, when I was on GST1 it was pointed out by one of the blokes on the course that these items were "B" stores, that is they had to be exchanged for a new pair rather than just discarded. The conversation then worked around the subject of disposal of the returned items, with the suggestion that there were boxes of used pairs probably in a hangar at Stafford awaiting someone to suggest what to do with them!
Honourable mentions to the DPM jacket and trousers, and the knife/fork/spoon sets.
With regard to the PT undergarments for the WRAF, when I was on GST1 it was pointed out by one of the blokes on the course that these items were "B" stores, that is they had to be exchanged for a new pair rather than just discarded. The conversation then worked around the subject of disposal of the returned items, with the suggestion that there were boxes of used pairs probably in a hangar at Stafford awaiting someone to suggest what to do with them!
Originally Posted by mr fish
........... lemon powder.
You're wierd.
Cots, camping. Fit nicely in the Lynx with room underneath for life's little essentials; gat, webbing, yellow handbags etc.
For US kit it's got to be the poncho liner. For such a thin piece of material to keep one as warm as it does amazes me, very durable as well.
If the lowest bidder developed it, I'd like to see the upper end model at work.
If the lowest bidder developed it, I'd like to see the upper end model at work.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. The best bit of kit ever issued was the No.4 Mk.1.
"The Lee Enfield Rifle is the reason we still speak English."
2. The next best bit of kit was Black Bodge Tape.
3. Third on the list is that Compo Can Opener widget and the Compo Sausages to which it gave you access.
I was rather fond of the previously owned "Trog Boots", Seaboot socks and ragged old "fishtail" Parka held together with black bodge tape I was given to wear out on the Line at Waddington. Nicely non-military, our kit made us look like a gang of Irish Navvies.
"The Lee Enfield Rifle is the reason we still speak English."
2. The next best bit of kit was Black Bodge Tape.
3. Third on the list is that Compo Can Opener widget and the Compo Sausages to which it gave you access.
I was rather fond of the previously owned "Trog Boots", Seaboot socks and ragged old "fishtail" Parka held together with black bodge tape I was given to wear out on the Line at Waddington. Nicely non-military, our kit made us look like a gang of Irish Navvies.
Boots also get my vote. Original pair of DMS issued in 1979, worn for most of 22 years service and now still going strong in garden.
Honourable mention to pair of green gloves with brown leather palms I got in Falklands in mid 90s which are also still seeing service when trimming hawthorn hedge and cutting back rose bushes.
Honourable mention to pair of green gloves with brown leather palms I got in Falklands in mid 90s which are also still seeing service when trimming hawthorn hedge and cutting back rose bushes.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
PT undergarments for the WRAF, . . .
had to be exchanged for a new pair rather than just discarded. The conversation then worked around the subject of disposal of the returned items, with the suggestion that there were boxes of used pairs probably in a hangar at Stafford awaiting someone to suggest what to do with them!
had to be exchanged for a new pair rather than just discarded. The conversation then worked around the subject of disposal of the returned items, with the suggestion that there were boxes of used pairs probably in a hangar at Stafford awaiting someone to suggest what to do with them!
Remember they were all put in large, clear, polybags? One of the local rag and bone junk shops in deepest Lincolnshire used to buy the bags and offer the garments for sale from the bags. Even used to have lots of firemen's blues surplus from when they went to green.
G*d it makes me itchy to imagine ........
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: bored
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll second SA-80 sling, and add the SUSAT. Also Arctic goretex mittens.
But my favourite bit of kit was an "exploding" briefcase for OTPs issued in Bosnia. I used to pray that some orrible scroat or serb would open it at checkpoints but despite my best efforts to make it temptingly visible none ever tried.
But my favourite bit of kit was an "exploding" briefcase for OTPs issued in Bosnia. I used to pray that some orrible scroat or serb would open it at checkpoints but despite my best efforts to make it temptingly visible none ever tried.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,097
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree the compo can opener, irreplaceable.
Blue cotton pyjamas issued when going to Aden - 1963.
Boots Cold Wet Weather, (Cobbly Wobblys) - issued as above, the soles and heels fitted by screws, when worn out just screw on a new set.
Woolly pulley with reinforced elbows.
Omega watch.
'H' series 8 man compo pack.
Best of all, my lovely Browning 9mm, constant companion for three years.
Blue cotton pyjamas issued when going to Aden - 1963.
Boots Cold Wet Weather, (Cobbly Wobblys) - issued as above, the soles and heels fitted by screws, when worn out just screw on a new set.
Woolly pulley with reinforced elbows.
Omega watch.
'H' series 8 man compo pack.
Best of all, my lovely Browning 9mm, constant companion for three years.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: bristol
Age: 56
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
airborne artist
When you started your reply with BS, I thought you were disagreeing for a moment, but then it clicked that you had shortened my name (well I hope that's how it was
).
I agree that the SLR was accurate to some extent (mine kept me constantly in the top three of the Sqn shooting team), but then it did have the problem of having to be broken to be cleaned. Also, as I was also a huge fan of the .303, then I guess I was also aware of another very accurate weapon.
That said, as stated above, I loved my SLR, and it never let me down (despite its antique age, and worn appearance).
Thinking back to the worst bit of kit I can recall, the '85 issue DPM uniform with the totally non showerproof material, and the stupid pockets spring to mind, along with the associated MK1 boots combat high (shin splitters), which had a long lasting, and damaging effect to my legs right up until this day
.
).I agree that the SLR was accurate to some extent (mine kept me constantly in the top three of the Sqn shooting team), but then it did have the problem of having to be broken to be cleaned. Also, as I was also a huge fan of the .303, then I guess I was also aware of another very accurate weapon.
That said, as stated above, I loved my SLR, and it never let me down (despite its antique age, and worn appearance).
Thinking back to the worst bit of kit I can recall, the '85 issue DPM uniform with the totally non showerproof material, and the stupid pockets spring to mind, along with the associated MK1 boots combat high (shin splitters), which had a long lasting, and damaging effect to my legs right up until this day
.