Yep, the same happened in modern armies the world over , I believe. It certainly was the way things happened in U.K. sleeping bags and bivvies? They were for softy’s. The lack of decent kit, made life quite miserable during ‘exercise season’ in BAOR. (Peace time Germany). I see the kit used now and I’m quite envious. What hasn’t changed in U.K. , is the lack of respect the civilian population has for it’s servicemen. It’s scandalous. They deserve so much more. It’s great to see the US population being respectful of their Armed Forces. Will U.K. ever catch up? I doubt it. Thank you for the vid.

@@jimbojet8728 wow, really? I personally think there needs to be balance. Here in the US, people treat veterans with, what I can best describe as, reverence. Now, I'm not saying there should be some form of respect. But, if you put up a label "veteran", people automatically take you at your word, and will use what you say, or do, as some sort of measuring stick. I don't agree with that. We veterans are simply a cross section of Americans. We're no better, no worse, than anyone else. Have we had some unique experiences? Certainly. But that doesn't necessarily entitle us to some elite, God like status. I know hundreds of us that continue to do good work as a civilian-far more good than they likely did in the military (let's face it-we don't get to do what we want in the military, that's how it works). There's also some that are absolute scum. Just like any other vocation. I think, at least here, many people try to capitalize on their veterans status. I, personally, fine necessarily agree with that. Sadly, our status has become political here too. Many, many times, certain politicians have called us "trained killers", "American Taliban", "domestic terrorists". Sad, but true. They also assume everyone in the military fights in a war. So, everyone is a killer. But even close to true. Anyway, godspeed my friend. I trained with the Brits in the 90s, that was a cool experience :)

@@oldsoldier181 yes I was/am a British Soldier and proud of the fact. I don’t want anything special, other than to be taken care of or perhaps helped is a better term, when my service is no longer needed and I am sick or injured because of my service. Most people in the U.K. simply feel that servicemen volunteered and were well paid. That should be enough. It really is pathetic here, almost the complete opposite of how it is there. Unfortunately the public is now getting what it deserves. Fewer young men and women are joining up, our military numbers are pathetically low. Sometimes I wonder why on Earth the Chinese don’t just walk all over us? We aren’t even part of Europe at the moment? I do understand that would end up a global war, but food for thought hey? Good luck and stay safe my friend.

@@jimbojet8728 One thing we have here is the VA, which is health care after service. Many of us take advantage of it, and its little or no cost to us. If your issues are service connected, it is free (and, the older you get-like me-the more you realize you REALLY abused your body as a young man!). The VA health care service gets a bad rap here-but, honestly, it has helped thousands of us, myself included. I wont necessarily call it a benefit, as its govt run, and certainly has its issues. But, for those in need, its here. And, as I said, I havent had a bad experience yet. Take care my friend. Today, here in the states, we are celebrating veterans day. Unfortunately, I am on a liquid diet until Saturday, as I have to go to the VA for minor surgery. Of course, lol :)

@@oldsoldier181 one thing we have here is free health care for all, always! Everything health related for everyone is free! From birth to death! Glad you’re taken care of that way though.

sounds like a business opportunity for you

I agree... I'm 56 and remember a few in my neck of the woods - that actually sold real SURPLUS. Now it's basically places that just sell cheap copies of items made in China by ________ ... and the price isn't always cheap. The sites I've found online that DO sell the real deal capitalize on that as well. Perhaps in England where this gentleman is surplus is readily available and affordable. Here in the States, it's a status symbol of sorts... and are charged according for it ! Right now I want a genuine, US GI standard alice clips canteen carrier... $20 used. Those British military Crusader Canteens and cups are highly sought here in the States, even as status symbols... Genuine military, not made in China

@@baronedipiemonte3990 I bought a full suit of that weird, grey digital camo that doesn't seem to blend in anywhere at all from Goodwill for the princely sum of eighteen dollars and I live in the UK lol Cost sixty dollars to send it home though, with some other choice keepsakes haha

@@baronedipiemonte3990 I also have a brilliant US army canteen pouch in the same camo from a supplier in Germany. Fifteen bucks and use it all the time.

Yep, used to love wandering round the Army & Navy store, and the Famous Army stores in the town centre of a weekend. As a youth the stuff was fascinating, picked up some great bits for my time in the scouts. All sadly gone now

@Dan Didnot Lol, if your under that much water it's not going to be waterproof, although it may be flat.... grins

Not really pointless, it lasts longer due to the middle layer being bonded to the inner and outer membrane so there is no friction. Not really sure how altitude would have an affect.

Thanks for the info 👍

Yep I do the same thing.

@Dan Didnot not when your riding your Harley across Dartmoor in sideways November rain its not. Are you English?

I kind of have that look too lol after 20 years in.

Your my sort of women.

Ours hang in the wardrobe when not in use, with the compression bags attached.

Zoe Hancock -😎👍, that's the perfect scenario for longevity, hang them from that strap on the end. If you can hang them rather than keeping them in the bag you avoid even moderate compression👏👏👏

Brilliant move. I have a five man mess kit for hiking and camping but for lightweight, go cat go. Canteen cups and a canteen cup stove. I have regular LS1 cups and stoves or an LS1 Arctic canteen cup… my wife even likes them when we day hike. She gets weird when I drink the leftover water that Wigglesworth, our wonder corgi, didn’t finish. But she’ll kiss me again, eventually.

Do the RAF still give their lads Wicker picnic Baskets with porcelain teas sets for venturing outside the Wire.

I still have and use the Crusader/Vulcan that I bought in '87. Heavy even when empty but bombproof.

Easier to find on the carousel at Brize also 😉

When the British Army changed from the green to DPM Bergens my mate , who was in the surplus trade, tried to source the green ones for sale in his shop. He was told the entire EWS (Emergency War Stock) of 250,000 bergens , a quarter of a million, had "disappeared " and no one in the MOD could find/locate them ! Often wonder where they went !

@@clivedunning4317 Sorry, I can't account for the other 249,999, but I'm still in touch with my old QM from those days, I'll ask him......he does have suspiciously large garage!!!!

@@Revup1 Great reply , laughed my socks off !

When we transitioned from ‘58 to PLCE we were initially excited because of the material it was made from - i.e. it wasn’t going to shrink as soon as it got wet. Unfortunately the early kit with the bergan and rocket packs wasn’t much use… it didn’t ‘mould’ like the ‘58 kit did and ‘making it fit’ was a real challenge. Having said that the bergan, although a super cheap version of the Berghaus Crusader, was a massive boon over the crap large pack which wasn’t too much larger than a pillowcase!! Years later it seems that the kinks have been ironed out, somewhat. This channel - and Nicks natural delivery will never get old… it’s absolutely riveting viewing. 👍🏻

Yep I got an mtp windproof smock- I dyed it black- perfect fir outside usage! 👍

Have both woodland and desert DPM smocks, no MTP yet, made well, holds up to use, stands out from the Herd of fasionistas' at 1/2 or better , the $$.

i managed to get one of those too-weight heavy but soo warm

Loads on marketplace, too! 😉

If you don't pull the trigger on ebay then hit me up. I've got a spare that I'd let go. 4 piece set with 9 buckle compression sack and woodland bivy. Tags are still minty. I can't tell that it was ever even slept in. No evidence of any kind of body odor. I'd do $250 + plus shipping through paypal. I've got no problems sending pics or a video either. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the one you get. I'm still waiting for some real cold weather to test out the black bag.

@@hiddenvalleybushcraft5683 some of the kit I got issued I think was from WW2 :P

permethryne