|
Post by 137e R.I. on Mar 8, 2011 23:30:42 GMT -5
I thought this might be interesting.....of your main/favorite impression, what is, in your IMO, the single most worst part of the gear/equipment?
My main/fav. impression is 1940 French, and I have to say that I believe the worst piece of gear has to be the m.1935 2-liter bidon (water bottle). About the only redeemable thing about it is that you have about half a US gallon to drink from in case of thirst or when you're in an arid environment. Otherwise, that half gallon is a lot of weight! If carried on a sling it's not to bad, but hooked onto the ammo belt and ammo pouch as to new m.1935-36 equipment regulations, it really weights you down on one side and pulls on the equipment belt. It also sits on your waist and bangs you on the hip or the top of your bum as you walk. Worse still, if it is less the completely full, the bidon makes a loud sloshing sound as you walk/march. I can only imagine that a squad or platoon strength number of troops with half full .35 bidons would have sounded like Niagra Falls.
It's no wonder that when French troops dropped pack when going into action, they often dropped the water bottle as well, preferring for the medics to carry them.
What do you think is the worst part of your main/fav. impression, be it US, UK, Ger. It, Jpn, and others?
-yb
|
|
|
Post by whatthecrunchyo on Mar 9, 2011 0:14:02 GMT -5
Breadbag for the Germans. It always slides to one side of the belt and gets bunched up when in the prone. Plus it rotates around when you put stuff in it. Apart from that, it's ok, but it just really irritates me.
|
|
hicks
Private First Class
Posts: 35
|
Post by hicks on Mar 9, 2011 1:16:46 GMT -5
As it stands the worst is the German gas can,heavy,bulky,noisy,pain in the a%%,it is use full only in the fact that it will keep your toilet paper and ciggys dry,several discussions with vets who were issued them mention that they were despised by one and all.whatthecrunchyo,the trick to getting a bread bag to behave is to keep the belt high(around bellybutton hight) and tight (close fit, not cut your circulation off tight)this will keep the bag from migrating around your waist (it also keeps it from smacking you on the buttocks when running,also fill it with something,anything to give it some weight .thought this would help.
|
|
|
Post by starsandstripes on Mar 9, 2011 1:37:53 GMT -5
For us GI's it has to be the m-28 pack system. That thing is Satan in a canvas disguise. It is complicated to use and quite useless as a backpack for what a person would need a backpack for. It also pulls the cartridge belt up so high during extended periods of wear and turns your belt into a bra.
|
|
dbloge
1st Lieutenant
Posts: 1,130
|
Post by dbloge on Mar 9, 2011 2:08:02 GMT -5
I agree with Hicks, it has to be the Gas mask container for the reasons mentioned. An honorable mention needs to go out to the e-tool for being a little heavy and for the handle sticking in to the ground at bad times. Pehaps thats why lots of reenactors wear neither, or they are just lazy or cheap.
DL
|
|
|
Post by nix284 on Mar 9, 2011 3:09:39 GMT -5
Of US gear the M28 pack has to win. That said a close second has to be the t-handled shovel. When worn on the pack it is not too bad, but when worn hanging from the belt that "t" will catch on any and everything as you move.
|
|
bluedevil
S/Sgt.
If men were angels, no government would be necessary-Federalist 51
Posts: 355
|
Post by bluedevil on Mar 9, 2011 5:21:53 GMT -5
The m1928 system...how we won a war with flaps and straps is beyond me.
|
|
|
Post by starsandstripes on Mar 9, 2011 5:32:30 GMT -5
Seriously, that POS is a testament to the adage, "remember your equipment was made by the lowest bidder..." It amazes me at how simplistic and functional all of the rest of the american ww2 gear was and then they come up with something like that...crazy.
|
|
Thumper
Forum Admin MP & POTW MP
Posts: 4,314
|
Post by Thumper on Mar 9, 2011 6:33:27 GMT -5
I have to disagree on the '28 Pack. Now yes, the flap system was very outdated and designed more for Boy Scout style camping (not moving around at night etc) but the strap system I have to compliment. It takes some effort to adjust it properly, but once properly adjusted I find that the '28 Pack wears very well and aligns the back to where you do not slouch. This helps with fatigue, so long as the pack is not overloaded. I have noted on numerous occasions when I have been to events that required some marching or above normal physical effort, that I fared better when wearing the '28 pack than I did without it, or with a Musette or even just the M36 suspenders. This is just my opinion, of course, but it is one aspect of the '28 pack I really appreciate. And all this experienced while carrying a BAR with full ammo belt. I became fatigued faster without the pack, than with it!
|
|
|
Post by Boogiewoogie on Mar 9, 2011 7:19:57 GMT -5
The envelope style bottle carrier,and entrenching carrier of the P 37 British kit.
|
|
jupp72
Private First Class
Posts: 35
|
Post by jupp72 on Mar 9, 2011 7:33:33 GMT -5
Those verdammt gemashen, which I'm convinced were developed as some sort of punishment. I always bring along a pair of needle-nosed pliers to help grab those tiny straps.
To stop the bread bag from migrating, try wearing one loop around either side of the bottom Y-strap.
|
|
Phantom9
1st Sgt.
Stop Beating a Dead Horse
Posts: 645
|
Post by Phantom9 on Mar 9, 2011 10:03:20 GMT -5
I have to disagree on the '28 Pack. It takes some effort to adjust it properly, but once properly adjusted I find that the '28 Pack wears very well and aligns the back to where you do not slouch. I agree with Thumper. It works great aslong as you know how to set it up right. You just need to adjust all the straps and your belt the right way. As along as it doesn't weigh a ton, I love wearing my haversack. Normaly I carry my blanket, shelterhalf, and dry clothes in it, and have my personal items in a gasmask bag or my pockets. Tyler
|
|
|
Post by gliderridermedic on Mar 9, 2011 14:04:06 GMT -5
Personally I hate the medic yoke. It's just uncomfortable. It's one of the main reasons I rapidly lost interest in doing an aidman impression.
|
|
kjair
Sergeant
Posts: 214
|
Post by kjair on Mar 9, 2011 15:07:55 GMT -5
I nominate the Brit/Commonwealth water bottle. While I like the shape, and the volume of water it holds, it's almost impossible to put the thing back in it's carrier (either type, the "skeleton" or the "sleeve") quickly.
A close second is the German canteen. It's too small and the shape is awkward, and having the cup strapped to the top means you have to unstrap it to get the stopper out. At least (and this is the only way it noses out the Brit canteen) you can snap it back in place quickly. Of course, it bounces, slides all over the place, and slaps your thigh, but at least it doesn't take two guys to secure it.
|
|
prgeyer
M/Sgt.
1940 is the Wave of the Future!
Posts: 578
|
Post by prgeyer on Mar 11, 2011 15:23:30 GMT -5
For '40 BEF kit, it has to be all the anti-gas gear. The chest respirator restricts breathing, and makes going prone extremely difficult. The gas cape on the back is just a lousy place for it. Plus, when it's all strapped together, you're nothing but a tangle of webbing straps and strings. Admittedly, the canteen is a pain, but with practice it gets easier - I just unhook the whole carrier from the braces, rather than trying to just extract the bottle from the carrier (and then having to cram it back in).
For the German kit, I'll agree with the gas mask can. But I also strongly dislike the entrenching tool. Whenever you have to go to one knee, the handle always sticks into the ground. The fact that this type of entrenching tool was used almost universally among European armies is a wonder to me.
Peter
|
|
|
Post by 34thtcflyboy on Mar 11, 2011 16:42:36 GMT -5
Leggings would be glaringly obvious, however useful they may be it seems like the combat boot is just a no-brainer in comparison. Why someone didn't come up with it sooner is beyond me.
|
|
|
Post by sturgill on Mar 11, 2011 18:08:02 GMT -5
Leggings would be glaringly obvious, however useful they may be it seems like the combat boot is just a no-brainer in comparison. Why someone didn't come up with it sooner is beyond me. Ditto. The '28 pack has nothing on leggings. They aren't horrible once you're wearing them, but they are an absolute pain to get on. -Shawn
|
|
|
Post by redjoshman on Mar 11, 2011 18:54:05 GMT -5
For me the worst piece of kit the I have had ever to deal with was the "Assault" Jacket. It is heavy, bulky and hot. All the weight goes on your shoulders, even though it should distribute evenly. The slits for the eyelets to be usable are poorly placed and too small and the eyelets the themselves are poorly spaced. The bottom pockets on the vest if loaded are heavy and swing around allot and the "grenade" pockets just suck.
I love the M1910/M1928 Pack system as, probably as I have gotten mine perfectly adjusted and have figured out how to pack it comfortably for myself.
Leggings, I guess since I have had to wear them all the time this past summer, I guess I have gotten use to them so they are no longer that much of a pain in the butt.
A close runner up though to the worst piece of field gear I have had to deal with is the M1936 Suspenders and and M1936 Pack. It sucks on a long march or running around "in battle" when fully loaded, luckily when I use one I don't have to wear it all that much except on marches because I generally use it with my Airborne Impressions, thus allowing me to keep allot of my items in my pockets.
-Josh
|
|
|
Post by Canuck on Mar 12, 2011 7:53:39 GMT -5
Entrenching tool carrier for the British 37 pattern web. John
|
|
Trotsky
Sergeant
Ready, Aye, Ready!
Posts: 203
|
Post by Trotsky on Mar 14, 2011 9:31:33 GMT -5
P37 Waterbottle carrier, hands down. The sleeve is an absolute pain to use.
The entrenching tool carrier is pretty bad, but the waterbottle is just so inaccessible.
|
|