Army Kit.

**nasher546** · 05-04-2009, 16:27

Thinking this morning about when I was serving, and how much money the guys used to spend on buying various bits of kit to make life easier when they were on ops or in the field. Over the fullness of time this must have run into thousands and thousands of pounds in the Royal Welch/Welsh alone. I did spend quite a lot of money on various things however one of the best bits of kit I had was loaned to me by Paul Gwilym, (a HALO jacket). I was wondering what fellow forum members thought was the best bit of kit they ever brought? By the way, thanks Paul, that Jacket did the business for me in Fermanagh!

**ap1** · 05-04-2009, 16:37

Good topic Paul.

For me, a Cyclops Roc Bergan.....bought after wearing those ironing board bergans in the Falklands, I thought "Enough is Enough", it cost about £80 in 1985, with a 70ltr capacity, and after having it reinforced by some Reme bloke(Design fault, the join between the shoulder straps and the bergan had a dodgy connection), it did me a treat on Brecon and Cop in 87-89.

Second best bit of kit...metal mug, bought prior to the Falklands, cheap and cheerful, but allowed me to ditch the dreaded messtins.

**jcj** · 05-04-2009, 18:51

Three bits of kit made all the difference for me. First when the dreaded canvas capes were replaced by ponchos. Second when I “acquired" a Bergen and I could bin the 58 large pack and finally when I bought myself some bungees, this was before they were issued.I agree with Al, my metal mug was a godsend.I also remember being issued with 2 blankets U/S in training in lieu of green maggot and freezing my nuts off on Battle camp in SENTA Jan 67.

**jeffdj** · 05-04-2009, 19:19

Best bits of kit Metal Mug and a packet of fags what else do you need

jase hill · 05-04-2009, 21:59

Remember being in the back of a land rover in the 80s trying to drink a brew which proved unsuccessful due to lack of suspension, I then glanced at Robby Hunt who was happily enjoying his tea from a baby beaker. No spillage. Them new beakers are everywhere now. Oh and the second best bit of kit for me has to be the bivi bag. Cant understand how we lived without it.

**Rog Ball 01** · 05-04-2009, 22:14

I think the best piece of kit was the 58 webbing, which replaced the 37 webbing - no more blanco and brasso work on a Fri night before OC's inspection on the Sat morning.

**chow** · 06-04-2009, 00:14

Best bit for me,sad i know.
my brush and polish kit.
still have te brushes,marked polish and shine in marker pen.
as i said ...sad lol..

sox3044 · 06-04-2009, 06:42

has to be my softy sleeping bag and softy jacket bought especialy for bosnia, the amount of room they saved in your kit to get other essentials in was untrue. O and my trusty frying pan and burner. I could have a hot brew with in 2 mins. I also managed to aquire a cammo poncho years b4 we where issued that was a good bit of kit.

**davidrmac** · 06-04-2009, 11:27

Good thread Paul ,
There has to be several bits of good kit , they were ;
Scotchbright , cleaning the gas parts on the GPMG was a doddle with this .
I think the next item was called Amarello or something like that , you just painted it on your best boots and they were immaculate . Problem was that Mouse could spot it at twenty paces .
I also had a cut down KF shirt which consisted of a collar , the shoulders and two buttons . This was for wearing under the jumper when in long sleeve order . We were on the ranges one day and in long sleeve order when at about 1200 , Mouse Cooper ordered everyone to change dress into short sleeve order . I avoided him as much as possible and when he eventually caught up with me and asked why I was not in short sleeve order I had to come clean . Fair play , he laughed , then he 252d me for defacing military equipment . Good times .
Of course , most things that were luxuries then are common now , like space blankets , NI boots , lightweight combats , skiing goggles when commanding 432s in Soltau , tent poles for building bashas and who can forget the ten man ration pack teabag for cleaning your mess tins . For christsakes why did we go through all that ? Little luxuries but , they made our lives a lot easier .

**Fortyfive** · 06-04-2009, 15:38

I lost my boot brushes when I left Crickhowell to join the Battalion in Tidworth in 74. I was on guard with Paddy the taylor & went into the clothing store where I saw a pair of brushes & i asked if i could have then & I still have them. & as for the metal mug I got mine from the ordinance depot in Hereford when I did a run there from Lichfield depot