View Poll Results: Have you bought your own kit in the last year?
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65
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Good Quality Kit
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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Good Quality Kit
Saw a Liberal-Democrat spokesman on the news yesterday, condeming the fact that ( according to Government figures ) upto 25% of HMForces have bought kit, as the issue stuff is not upto the job. Personally, I think the figue is somewhere in the region of 75%, but there you go...
Also, how much ofthis "self -procurement is down to lack of quality, and how much to the inability to get it through stores!
Also, how much ofthis "self -procurement is down to lack of quality, and how much to the inability to get it through stores!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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SHAME THEY COULDNT DESIGN A SLEEPING BAG SMALLER THAN HALF A BERGEN! NICE AND WARM, BUT SHOULD BE CONSIDERING IT PROBABLY COSTS A FORTUNE AND CONSISTS OF ABOUT 1000 DUCKS.
IT DOESNT HELP THAT STORES RAN OUT OF STUFF SACKS, SO NOW IT FILLS UP ENTIRE BERGEN.....(WHEN BERGEN ARRIVES FROM CENTRAL STORES)
HOWEVER NEW BATCH OF MICKEY MOUSE EARS IN STOCK SO BETTER HURRY UP IN TIME FOR YOUR GULF POSTING
IT DOESNT HELP THAT STORES RAN OUT OF STUFF SACKS, SO NOW IT FILLS UP ENTIRE BERGEN.....(WHEN BERGEN ARRIVES FROM CENTRAL STORES)
HOWEVER NEW BATCH OF MICKEY MOUSE EARS IN STOCK SO BETTER HURRY UP IN TIME FOR YOUR GULF POSTING
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Purchased the following items that should really be on issue within the last 6 months:
Day sack £64
Metal mug (In lieu of mess tins) £15
Waterproof notebook pens etc £25
Woolley hat (In lue of service headover that is too tight)£5
Bush hat £10
These are just some of the items that spring to mind.
If you want to get rid of the cumbersome sleeping bag buy a snugpak version approx £80. Frees up alot of space!
If you are frequently deployed in field conditions it is difficult not to have at least some of the above.
Day sack £64
Metal mug (In lieu of mess tins) £15
Waterproof notebook pens etc £25
Woolley hat (In lue of service headover that is too tight)£5
Bush hat £10
These are just some of the items that spring to mind.
If you want to get rid of the cumbersome sleeping bag buy a snugpak version approx £80. Frees up alot of space!
If you are frequently deployed in field conditions it is difficult not to have at least some of the above.
Last edited by donald stott; 18th Jan 2003 at 17:47.
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Agree about the Softie sleeping bag, Softie 6 and 9 are the ones to go for.
One tip is that if you get stuff from cotswold camping and tell them your off overseas, you'll get it Tax free and if you order in Bulk you'll also get a discount!
One tip is that if you get stuff from cotswold camping and tell them your off overseas, you'll get it Tax free and if you order in Bulk you'll also get a discount!
Join Date: Jun 2001
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OK - Blunty Stacker alert. I think there are a number of issues that combine and mean we buy.
Firstly, we (MoD) don't buy the best kit and, regardless of what we get, some people will always want the best kit. However, we don't have to have the best, just the right kit for the job. As we all know, we don't usually even get that.
Second - Stores have ALWAYS never had enough. This is often down to poor contracts at the early stages and REALLY p!$$£$ the stackers who have to face the customer - as it is obviously our fault on stn.
On another note - the current sleeping bag is synthetic, hence the bulk. It does, however, give some insulation when cold, unlike the old down bag. Many Regt & pro users of such kit don't use the compression sack anyway. Put it in a bin bag & stuff it into the bergen & it fills all the corners far better & will still squash down the same.
Oh - and it may be legal to admit a fondness for large leathermen, but it is not acceptable to mention it in polite social circles!
Pip pip
Firstly, we (MoD) don't buy the best kit and, regardless of what we get, some people will always want the best kit. However, we don't have to have the best, just the right kit for the job. As we all know, we don't usually even get that.
Second - Stores have ALWAYS never had enough. This is often down to poor contracts at the early stages and REALLY p!$$£$ the stackers who have to face the customer - as it is obviously our fault on stn.
On another note - the current sleeping bag is synthetic, hence the bulk. It does, however, give some insulation when cold, unlike the old down bag. Many Regt & pro users of such kit don't use the compression sack anyway. Put it in a bin bag & stuff it into the bergen & it fills all the corners far better & will still squash down the same.
Oh - and it may be legal to admit a fondness for large leathermen, but it is not acceptable to mention it in polite social circles!
Pip pip
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Correction - A synthetic bag will still offer insulation when wet, as opposed to a down bag that will end up with lumps of feathers.
A down bag will always give better insulation than a synthetic bag of the same size (in dry conditions, so buy one with a Dryloft or similar outer shell). So you can get quite a small packed volume bag that will do for the majority of the conditions you'll encounter.
A down bag will always give better insulation than a synthetic bag of the same size (in dry conditions, so buy one with a Dryloft or similar outer shell). So you can get quite a small packed volume bag that will do for the majority of the conditions you'll encounter.
I bought a snugpack Softie 12 back in 1989. I still use it regularly and of all the kit I ever bought it has to be the star item.
I was out in it during the recent cold snap and was happily bivvying at -8 in it. Despite its age and high useage its performance is amazing.
Its a disgrace you have to (effectively) buy your own essential kit.
Surely a system of a small personal allowance per man could be devised. This would allow individuals to go out and purchase a few items of more Gucci kit that matter to them. I imagine it varies considerably from role to role. 99 Sqn would want some of the finest wheeled luggage available whilst Private Grunt is more focussed on non-melt boots.
Hell, most airline pilots get allowances and tax breaks for buying flasher macs, sunglasses and impressive looking black cases for carrying duty free, butties and FHM in...
WWW
I was out in it during the recent cold snap and was happily bivvying at -8 in it. Despite its age and high useage its performance is amazing.
Its a disgrace you have to (effectively) buy your own essential kit.
Surely a system of a small personal allowance per man could be devised. This would allow individuals to go out and purchase a few items of more Gucci kit that matter to them. I imagine it varies considerably from role to role. 99 Sqn would want some of the finest wheeled luggage available whilst Private Grunt is more focussed on non-melt boots.
Hell, most airline pilots get allowances and tax breaks for buying flasher macs, sunglasses and impressive looking black cases for carrying duty free, butties and FHM in...
WWW
Join Date: May 2000
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Speaking of kit, does anyone know where I could get hold of a pair of Pro Boots? Ive been after a pair for a while and dont really want to pay £150 for them. Already tried telling stores that I will pay them for a pair but "im sorry sir, you are only entitled to a pair of them if you are given a chit from the doc..."
Any help appreciated
Flash
Any help appreciated
Flash
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Flash - for some bizzare reason, there is no provision for the purchase of 'greens' in the system - its not they won't help - they can't.
Also - try looking at www.altberg.co.uk - not an advert, no connection, but bloody good, British kit.
Also - try looking at www.altberg.co.uk - not an advert, no connection, but bloody good, British kit.
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Join Date: May 2000
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There is as much good quality kit about, as there is good quality leadership...
Nope I can't find any either!!
Nee nah... The next train stopping............
Nope I can't find any either!!
Nee nah... The next train stopping............
The clothing stores at the SecOxAirBase do indeed supply, not store! Very helpful and will do whatever they can to oblige. So, playful banter notwithstanding, don't tar all 'stackers' with the same brush!
Incidentally, kit used for flying doesn't have to be 'Gucci', but it does have to be 'approved'. So, for example, CS95 isn't universally approved (as far as I'm aware) as flying kit - indeed, didn't a chap's CS95 belt loops nearly prevent him from getting out of a burning wreck not so long ago?
Personally, I'd be quite happy if everyone wore CS95 for everything except 'ceremonial' occasions. If there was an approved flying suit made out of the same pattern of material for use by aircrew (without the Christmas tree of badges so beloved of many sqns but with, perhaps, just tone-down name-and-flying badge/brevet, national flag and single sqn badge all in NATO green or desert shades), perhaps 'stores' wouldn't need to 'supply' quite so much kit in the first place - just mainly lots of CS95 and CS95 romper suits in 2 flavours, temperate and desert, plus 'matching accessories'! I'm not very fond of the 'prep school rig' of blues, woolly pully and tie - it's a bit too security-van driver-ish for my liking. But better than being mistaken for a railway porter when wearing the old 'Thunderbird suit' as I once was!
Incidentally, kit used for flying doesn't have to be 'Gucci', but it does have to be 'approved'. So, for example, CS95 isn't universally approved (as far as I'm aware) as flying kit - indeed, didn't a chap's CS95 belt loops nearly prevent him from getting out of a burning wreck not so long ago?
Personally, I'd be quite happy if everyone wore CS95 for everything except 'ceremonial' occasions. If there was an approved flying suit made out of the same pattern of material for use by aircrew (without the Christmas tree of badges so beloved of many sqns but with, perhaps, just tone-down name-and-flying badge/brevet, national flag and single sqn badge all in NATO green or desert shades), perhaps 'stores' wouldn't need to 'supply' quite so much kit in the first place - just mainly lots of CS95 and CS95 romper suits in 2 flavours, temperate and desert, plus 'matching accessories'! I'm not very fond of the 'prep school rig' of blues, woolly pully and tie - it's a bit too security-van driver-ish for my liking. But better than being mistaken for a railway porter when wearing the old 'Thunderbird suit' as I once was!
Last edited by BEagle; 23rd Jan 2003 at 04:46.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Beagle,
CS 95 flying kit is being trialed at the moment. You would also need to add 'Jungle CS95' to your list which is much more comfortorable to fly in. Rotary aircrew can be cleared to fly in CS95 in certain environments. Incidentally you may see some pilots during the next few weeks flying in green CS95 in a certain sandpit theatre. Thats cos the idiots we work for didn't buy it a year ago after Saif Sureea. Giving all the American cot beds to personnel on Fresco was also a top idea - well done, promote that clown!
CS 95 flying kit is being trialed at the moment. You would also need to add 'Jungle CS95' to your list which is much more comfortorable to fly in. Rotary aircrew can be cleared to fly in CS95 in certain environments. Incidentally you may see some pilots during the next few weeks flying in green CS95 in a certain sandpit theatre. Thats cos the idiots we work for didn't buy it a year ago after Saif Sureea. Giving all the American cot beds to personnel on Fresco was also a top idea - well done, promote that clown!
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I've purchased the following over the last few years ,
snug pak jkt x 2 £50 each
Buffalo jkt ( the biz)
highlander sleeping bag down to - 20 comfort and half the size of issue crap kit
day sack 35 litre
desert boots
magnums
peak multi fuel stove
tranga stove
fuel bottles
tin mugs ( easier to boil on stove plastic one melts for some reason )
sheemags
polar neck and mouth guards
leather man ( i threw the issue cutter away day one fly with a leather man in the pocket )
mini mag lights
nvg compatable keyring torch
laser pointer( used for pointing out fields on nvg recces)
thermal underwear ( m&s) its briliant and cotton
hally hansen lifa tops ( great wicking )
solar shower
and loads of other bits and bobs
I dare not total the cost but neadless to say i find issue kit crap
even the pro boots rot and split and crack as the leather quality is very poor , and yes i've tried treating them with the recommended polish but matterhorns they are better
At the end of the day comfort and kit reliability are the big issues and neither of those come high on the MOD list , its all on the cheap. Any one found a way of stopping desert kit falling to bits yet
The only problem with all of the above: have an accident whilst flying and your probably not insured and if you live to tell the tale in the **** !!!!
shame really cos it the best stuff on the market and the MOD should wake up and listen to its troops .
snug pak jkt x 2 £50 each
Buffalo jkt ( the biz)
highlander sleeping bag down to - 20 comfort and half the size of issue crap kit
day sack 35 litre
desert boots
magnums
peak multi fuel stove
tranga stove
fuel bottles
tin mugs ( easier to boil on stove plastic one melts for some reason )
sheemags
polar neck and mouth guards
leather man ( i threw the issue cutter away day one fly with a leather man in the pocket )
mini mag lights
nvg compatable keyring torch
laser pointer( used for pointing out fields on nvg recces)
thermal underwear ( m&s) its briliant and cotton
hally hansen lifa tops ( great wicking )
solar shower
and loads of other bits and bobs
I dare not total the cost but neadless to say i find issue kit crap
even the pro boots rot and split and crack as the leather quality is very poor , and yes i've tried treating them with the recommended polish but matterhorns they are better
At the end of the day comfort and kit reliability are the big issues and neither of those come high on the MOD list , its all on the cheap. Any one found a way of stopping desert kit falling to bits yet
The only problem with all of the above: have an accident whilst flying and your probably not insured and if you live to tell the tale in the **** !!!!
shame really cos it the best stuff on the market and the MOD should wake up and listen to its troops .