Australian, British & Canadian Infantry Kit, 1985

[@guerrillashadowman]

The British kit looks so much more modern than the Aussie and Canadian kit, even with the aged 58 pattern webbing kit.

[@estianburger8709]

Indeed, but then you compare these to the SADF and the differences would be striking, at this time the SADF already moved to the Pat 83 battlejacket and chest rig.

[@Veritas419]

Disparities in defense budgets on display

[@thomasb5600]

That might be because Falklands war happened recently and the Australian kit got upgraded in 1986.

[@zhukie]

@@thomasb5600 Yep. Up until 1986 it was pretty much the same as Vietnam issue

[@carterjones8126]

From what I can gather, it seems that until the 1980's in most countries; only specialised units would be issued camouflage uniforms. The British Army was one of the first to use camouflage uniforms widespread. This might be because they'd had a long time to develop their DPM camo. Seeing as it's based on the ww2 Denison smock used by the paras (Perfect for fighting in Western Europe against the Soviet threat) A camouflage like DPM wouldn't help much in Australia i imagine.

[@andrewcombe8907]

I served 1986-1992 Australian Army Reserve. The giggle hat (bush hat) was worn in the bush in the 1980’s not the Slouch. I was issued one slouch hat for parades. Also the Y yoke was not a common piece issue. We got H pattern suspenders. The older sweats replaced the bum pack with Bren magazine pouches from the 37 pattern webbing as it caused less swinging of the web belt as the bum pack when full swung badly. The M65 field jacket was only worn mid winter. The Pistol Belt was a pain as the keepers popped open while crawling or in contact drills. The Boots, GP were initially quite waterproof but when their leather softened they were quite porous. The boots were also hard wearing and caused some serious blisters on the soles of the feet known as “hot spots” and I suffered these when in the Sydney University Regiment, an infantry unit. Although not shown here the bum pack usually contained a 24 hour ration pack, hexamine stove, Smock Tropical rain coat (also known as smock psychological), boot polish, rifle cleaning kit and other personal items such as a housewife sewing kit. Note also the SLR carried by Australians did not have a sling attached except when carrying items with both hands eg: jerry cans or stretchers. The sling wasn’t affixed to avoid making noise or snagging in thick brush.

[@MsandMrspinact]

Nailed it, although you lost me at SUR 😉

[@christaylor6846]

@@MsandMrspinact 😆

[@andrewcombe8907]

@@MsandMrspinact the red and black mafia.

[@andrewcombe8907]

@@MsandMrspinact I got my hot spots when I was a Corporal on IET and we were made to do Exercise Hardcorps at the end of two weeks out bush in Singleton. After 30km including the 10km sprint up Range Road my heels came off with my socks. It was agony.

[@Kalaswalia]

Smock psychological because it offered only mental comfort rather than actually keeping the wearer dry?

[@a51541476]

Rfn Moore: One thing is missing from the depiction of Canadian infantry kit in the mid 1980's. One needed quite a lot of gun tape (OD green coloured duct tape) to secure the 64 pattern pouches to the web belt. Without this gun tape, the 64 pattern pouches would tear off the belt and could get lost. The day when I was issued the replacement 1982 pattern webbing was indeed like Christmas. The 82 pattern webbing was a tremendous step forward, even though it too had a few flaws of it's own. Regards, D.A. Stolovitch, CD Captain 2 Military Police Regiment / Canadian Forces Military Police (Retired)

[@lib556]

True. When issued 64 pa web kit in Basic, we didn't bother/weren't allowed to tape the pouches. Mainly because Sect Comds were navy and airforce... Next year at the Infantry School, different story. Scads of guntape.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks for this advice. The pouches are attached with gun tape; doubled around the velcro/touch and close belt loops, essentially to make them solid belt loops. It's simply not visible in this video but can be seen in the video where I discuss the equipment in detail, I should have mentioned it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/apvNiqeGeLiof80

[@robertdion848]

It was indeed like Christmas. But the novelty wore off quick when the 82 pattern showed it’s flaws in the field. If I had to choose would keep the buttpack from the 82 and incorporate it into the pattern 64 . But it does all works better with the help of gun tape . I miss those days . But I don’t miss running double time in the humid Canadian summer . It doesn’t matter what web gear you were wearing

[@thecanuckredcoat4142]

I'd add in that at the time some units (i know those served with units that did and those who o didn't) have older small packs issued and p37 pouches sewn on the sides. Though notable most of the units I know of that did were militia so they did a bit of their own thing.

[@Great_Sandwich]

@@lib556 Good ol' gun tape. Fixed everything.

[@indoman8887]

Australian army 69 - 75 with three years service in two Asian countries. In the first, you could (unofficially) make your own mods to your webbing as long as they didn’t impact on the amount of ammo you could carry. In my case, I got rid of the harness and like many people, the bum pack as well and by doing this, I could move the basic pouches around to the side of the body, instead of having them in the front and having to lay on them. This improved access to the ammo pouches and allowed me to carry four water bottles, which I hung from the belt with the hooks supplied in the water bottle carrier. I did not use the clips to attach the bottles directly to the belt, because they took up excess space, whereas with the hooks, the bottles hung below and free of the belt. On return to Australia, the army issued an upgraded Austpack that allowed you to attach two water bottles to the pack, and with extra room now on the belt, I attached two Bren gun pouches as a basic replacement for the bum pack. I just liked to carry a lot of water. As an aside, after the Brit parachute regiment headquarters at Aldershot were bombed by the IRA in early 1972, one of the battalions were sent out to Singapore, where I was based at the time with the 28 ANZUK brigade, for a cooling down period. ANZUK was a combined Australian, New Zealand and UK force that included all three branches of the armed forces of each country and the local commanders decided to send a mix of Aussies and Kiwis to the UK on the empty planes returning there. We ended up in Aldershot, where we froze our balls off, because we had no winter gear at all, not even a jumper, until the Brits came to our rescue. The paras really admired our GP boots, so myself and many others, handed ours over to Brits we had met during our stay when we left. We weren’t popular when we got back to Singapore, but CO managed to see the funny side of it and he, RQM and RSM covered up for us.

[@aymonfoxc1442]

Those are some nice anecdotes mate.

[@1feral1]

Very well presented. Australia: In the field, the puggaree was removed from the hat, KFF gr II. Giggle hats were also common. Canada wise, at least in my Unit, by late '84. We had the new '82 Ptrn webbing and rucksack. In the nearly 19 yrs I served, I was never issued the heavy weight combat pants. In colder months in the field, we wore the 'wind pants', which were heavier but made of the OG107 parka material, non insulated. I went on to be poached by the Australians, did another 18 yrs with them before retiring nearly a decade ago. EDITs to add if ya wanna pick my brain on any kit form Canada and Australia, get back to me if you like.

[@pepelemoko01]

if I remember there was a compass case on the top right of the webbing and a bayonet frog for the SLR,on the back between the bum bag and water bottle.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Interesting point on the pug, I was discussing this with another chap who joined in 1986 and it's odd because the 1993 regs certainly state that the pug should not be worn on the grade II KFF but photos from the mid to late 1980s commonly show the pugaree worn on the field, if you drop me an email I'll happily share the photos I used for reference. Regarding the Canadian trousers, thanks for the tip, that's good to know as it's difficult to tell for certain from photos, I'll have to root out a pair of the 'wind pants'.

[@lib556]

@@RiflemanMoore Simon, the pants are the earlier, reinforced variety (they match the combat jacket which is also early issue). One didn't really see the old pants much after the 60s. The jacket was still kicking around with some old timers. It could be sotted by its lack of drawstring.

[@lib556]

Hi Wes. The pants were the really old 60s ver with reinforced bum and knees. These all but disappeared in the early 70s. It has been my pleasure to advise Simon on some aspects of Cdn kit via email. He was kind enough to give me a shout out on one of his vids. A bit disappointed that he has slipped back into attaching the respirator bag to the belt as no infantryman did that... Another email is needed... 😁

[@RiflemanMoore]

@@lib556 Many thanks for this, the information on the trousers from you and others is really useful, I'll be keeping an eye out for some of the later lightweight and windproof examples to improve this. I had copied the respirator haversack on the belt from a period photo but had forgotten our discussion, thank you for the reminder. I shall double check as the photo likely doesn't show infantry.

[@SuperFreejohn]

How surreal, I went to school with you and to see you pop up completely randomly is brilliant. Good to see you doing well.

[@abchaplin]

I served in the CF from 1973 to 2000, mostly as a driver/signaller, then as an FOO, and never had a problem with the '64 Pattern webbing -- my mileage varied, I suppose. The Canadian heavyweight trousers were no longer on issue during my service, but people swore by them. I was told that you could sit on cold, wet ground in damp weather (think Op CORPORATE) and not aggravate your piles. The Mark III boots were made in Canada, but the sizing went from the North American standard to UK sizing because the equipment which was to mould the soles was sourced from overseas (Japan, ISTR). It led to some sore feet until people figured out their new boot size. About DPM v. monochrome camouflage in the mid-1980s: the Director Land Requirements stated in an informal setting (the Shilo officers' mess) that he had recommended that the CF retain for the time being the Olive Green 107 combat clothing for the field. It was as effective at ranges over 50 metres as DPM and was cheaper, and he warned the officers assembled that, with the return to "distinctive environmental uniforms" for sea, land and air forces, it meant that those assigned "Land" uniforms were going to be wearing a "disruptive" pattern jacket on garrison duties. The reason for this was really to build morale among the ranks, who all hated the 1968 pattern of work dress. Troops derided the jacket as "duck hunters' rig." I still wear mine, it's quite useful when chopping wood or gardening in cool weather.

[@georgesgohier484]

The heavyweight trousers had a rubber membrane on the seat & knees.... Better winter kit, with windpants. made those old pants obsolete

[@TheTiacat]

And the boots, don’t forget the “garrison” boots.

[@georgesgohier484]

@@TheTiacat they certainly were a piece of Shite, but those were armed forces wide, and certainly not infantry gear....Feckin Doc Marten knock offs - i could never lace up that top...and they were cripplers

[@TheTiacat]

@@georgesgohier484 We got the paratrooper knock offs with the toe cap, the real tall ones

[@georgesgohier484]

@@TheTiacat like i said....Doc Marten knock offs.... The real para boots were fine

[@bigbrowntau]

Thanks for this, really interesting to see the differences. I was in the Australian army in this period. The jumper was very popular in the south of the country, but we never saw the jacket unfortunately. We also sometimes used scrim netting as a scarf, but our scrim was much more green, with the occasional black patch. I'd managed to score an old parachute smock, and that was brilliant to use. Huge pockets that were just under the pouches, much easier to use than the pouches themselves. The closures on the pouches were great to open, but terrible to get closed again. Most of the time we were just in shirts though even in heavy rain, due to the heat. The Army was just about to switch to the Auscam camouflage uniform, and the F88 (Steyr AUG) rifle, so we were going through a transition too. I found the Y part of the webbing at the back to be very uncomfortable, and way too high, so quite a few of us modified it.

[@pwillis1589]

I still have my combat jacket issued to me at Kapooka in 1985. It was huge on me and I never used it. It came with a quilted inner liner that buttoned in. It fits me now as I have put on 20 kilos. It is in mint condition.

[@gorbalsboy]

Small point Simon , the Cape carrier was usually clipped onto the yoke which allows the side straps clipped to pull the carrier into the body this made the CEFO much more tight to the body especially when wrapped up with bungees,great vid as ever ,thanks for doing this ,it's a pity you couldn't serve ,you would have made an exceptional officer

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the pointers Graeme, much appreciated, I'll have a go at that method whilst I still have the set out and thank you also for the kind words, again, much appreciated!

[@mickhall88]

Surely you mean an exceptional SNCO Graeme? I can't recall ever encountering an exceptional officer 😆

[@njmaxton4530]

Agreed. The clips for the cape carrier to attach to the belt were used to attach to the yoke straps Made it more secure. And then bungee the whole lot to the kidney pouches.

[@NickfromNLondon]

The poncho was folded and fixed under or behind the kidney pouches with the bungees. Putting the poncho carrier on top stopped it swinging about and better supported and integrated the (not very) large packs when carried

[@njmaxton4530]

@@NickfromNLondon yes. Not possible to wear the large pack or Bergen with the bum roll on top of the kidney pouches

[@vixenator7657]

12 years as a Canadian infantryman using the 64 and 82 pattern webbing. It was fairly common for troops to use the robin hood hats or the Green toques in place of the old M1 brain bucket where possible. As was previously noted, the 64 pattern webbing had a distressing tendency to have the Velcro straps fail when wet. Gun tape was very popular to keep things together. Along with the old smg mag pouches for carrying spare ammunition and mags as you noted with some using the C2 MAG Bar's for additional capacity. One quick note was that the respirator bag was also commonly used to also carry our melmac plates along with the gas mask. The 82 pattern was a step up in a lot of ways but the rucksack frame was garbage, and was often ditched in favour of using the old 64 universal frame with the 82 pattern main bag strapped to it. The old combat uniform was very comfortable and was amazingly quick to dry. A real plus in miserable conditions.

[@alancranford3398]

Thank you for this overview of three national field uniforms. I like to have the complete set displayed so that I can see how each piece of kit fits into the whole. This helps me understand your videos showing each piece in detail.

[@muwuny]

Is your Australian SLR airsoft? Just a note, Australian-made SLRs have different shaped cuts on the receiver to British ones. Australian SLRs copied the receiver cuts from the Canadian design with a curved section above the pivot point screws, while the British SLRs have a 90 degree squared off section. You can see the difference between the British and Canadian SLR receivers to see what I mean, Australian one should match the Canadian one.

[@TheLoachman]

I was issued the Canadian heavyweight combat trousers sometime in the 1970s, and only wore them once. I don't remember ever seeing anybody else wear them. They were stiff and scratchy. Everybody wore the cotton/nylon twill "wind pants" instead, generally over the regular combat trousers. One of the flaws of the combat jacket was its lack of integral windproofing. The insulated liner was windproof, but not the jacket. The US field jacket had it the other way around, which was far better. I've ranted about the stupid magazine pockets before. We had been issued the 1982 pattern web gear by 1985. It corrected some of the flaws of the 1964 pattern, but introduced a lot more. The current tac vest is also garbage. Can you open the 64 pattern belt buckle single-handed yet, Simon?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks for the heads up on this, it's hard to pick out in photographs, the advice is much appreciated!

[@johnraptis8953]

@@RiflemanMoore i want photos of Canadian Army in 1980s here

[@terrywarner8657]

@@RiflemanMoore Agree on the comments about the Canadian heavy trousers. There was a third issue of so-called wind pants which were useful as shell for winter wear over the summer-weight combat pants. The wind pants have tapes for waist closure and were nylon fabric not cotton blend.

[@crackmonkeynet]

@@terrywarner8657 The original "wind pants" we were issued in the reserves were the cotton suckers , the nylon were pretty darn good

[@donaldneill4419]

Very well done; I joined the Canadian Army in 1984 and this is pretty much exactly what we wore. I had a good laugh when you mentioned that the mess tin carrier was used not for mess tins, but for rain gear; exactly right (I also know a chap who made a practice of using his gas mask satchel to carry a sweater and a half-dozen Mars bars, but that didn't turn out so well during an exercise in Gagetown that happened to involve a lot of CS...). And yes, the Y-yoke webbing was awful; the suspenders cut into the shoulders and the belt sagged (the old rucksack had the same problem). The replacement with new-pattern webbing a few years later was a godsend. Very good overview. I do miss the FNC1!

[@bernard7766]

I was in Gagetown in 1979 and I used the gas mask satchel to store cheese and bread. After a CS attack, you could see them flying and the worst after recuperating them they were tasting CS gas.

[@JayM409]

The grenade pouch held two cans of Coke perfectly. The only time I used the Mess tins was on JLC.

[@bradmoore320]

I was in the RCR 85-92 and never saw 64 pattern webbing. We used the 84 pattern which was quite good with the butt pack. The bush hat was always worn in the field with the exception of a life fire section attack, the beret everywhere else. At the Airborne Regiment the 64 ruck was used because the new one couldn’t handle hitting the ground on the tether line. Rain gear made you more wet from it sweating then the rain. Norwegian socks were the best if you good get them, and the us panco liner in woodland was worth training for

[@terry9325]

When I was serving in Singapore in the late sixties we where issued with jungle boots which where green canvas and rubber soles they were laced and reached halfway up your calf ,we were also issued with a blow up type of mattress and a square piece of nylon sheet to make a Basher with , I think the blowup mattress came from the American kit that they where using Vietnam at the time ,we use to use them as Li - lows in the sea when we had the chance to , they weren’t favoured by us because they use to squeak when laying on them ,so you can imagine the noise that would make when laying up in the jungle at night ,plus it was just more kit to carry on your backs

[@georgesgohier484]

ONE of the problems with the 64 pattern canadian web gear was that; when the velcro fasteners got wet....they could release. Lots of troops in the field would leave a trail of kit ....like Goldilocks and her breadcrumbs. Something not covered was the Rucksack, and the Cargo Pack. Also, a backpack was issued to carry the NBC Bunnysuit..... which most people would use to carry their personal gear

[@JimmyChem]

Dammit, especially when crashing through dense bush! One would emerge missing half their equipment!

[@NickfromNLondon]

Boot Combat High was first issued with a seam around the back and just above the heel to reduce cost. This caused tendonitis from pressure during boot runs. Many weird and wonderful lacing patterns to minimise this pressure were used by different units. Revised boot came out without seam and lacing reverted to cross lacing though some retained the diagonal lacing.

[@faeembrugh]

Those high boots were rubbish! Old-style DMS boots were often better in many ways (except in extended wet conditions) . I usually wore a pair of German para boots which were great and easily obtained from the local surplus shop although they were often in mismatched pairs so you had to rummage through the stock to find two that were roughly matching. All rather ridiculous really...

[@joebarta7629]

My service with the Canadian army spanned the '51, '64 and the '82 pattern webbing. I also went over to Britain to train with our sister Regiment and used their '52 pattern webbing. The '64 pattern webbing was designed for use with APC operations the idea being maximizing the ability to egress the APC with a minimum amount equipment hanging on the soldier that could slow him down. we were able to carry 2 magazines in each side pocket of the jacket or shirt and a magazine in each breast pocket of the jacket. The pockets were all designed to fit the magazines. It was a good idea in theory but there were issues and quite frankly being in a light infantry unit it was not adequate to our needs. The '82 pattern webbing was an improvement but it still had its issues with fit and complexity. My favourite webbing was the '52 pattern webbing which for the field I was able to customize the configuration to my own needs and the needs of the tasks I was involved with at the time. My only complaint with the '52 pattern and it was common with the British '58 pattern was of the webbed cotton material used which when it became wet added to the weight and made it stretch and sag.

[@joncawte6150]

If you carried your poncho role on top of the kidney pouches with NBC kit in it, you could, really, only us a 58 pattern large pack or GS bergan, you couldn't tab comfortably with a large ( berghaus) bergan on in that configuration. NBC kit would go in an acquired 2nd roll and slung underneath the kidney pouches, attached correctly to the loops on the belt and ammo pouches. The poncho would go in a 2nd roll above the kidney pouches and the would all be held together by bungees. The poncho roll was known as a bum roll for obvious reasons. The 2 large pouches at the back were known as kidney pouches, again, for obvious reasons. And the pouch on the right ammo pouch was used for the SLRs blank firing attachment when it wasn't fitted to the rifle.

[@anthonymorphet9328]

If you could scrounge one then a second water bottle would also get added.

[@gundog4314]

On those LC1 suspenders, we used to buy our own set of suspenders and cut the clips off. Ran a piece of 550 cord through the clip hole and tied the suspenders to the belt. In turn all the alice clips were removed and tied on as well. Made it much more comfortable and nothing ever fell off especially during airborne operations.

[@digidraxe8052]

I was in the Canadian Army for more than 40 years, including throughout the 1980s. I was never issued a pair of heavyweight combat pants and did not realize they existed before seeing your video. The standard combat uniform was the lightweight pants and shirt (blouse) you referred to. I cannot recall the exact material used, but it was a manufactured poly type fabric that was alarmingly flammable, was not very durable, and also alarmingly, became increasingly transparent with wear. It was too hot in summer because it did not breath well, and too cold in winter. The shirt and jacket lower pockets each had two sewn in sleeves designed to hold a magazine for the FAL (called the C1 in Canadian service). If I recall correctly the pants pockets did as well, but of that I am uncertain. The top pockets of the shirt and jacket were each sized to perfectly fit a FAL magazine. With respect to headwear, we wore our berets in the field, and only put on the helmets when required to. We did have an issue combat cap, but although it was almost always worn brim down by the combat troops, many of the support troops wore it brim up. In the latter configuration it resembled a Robin Hood and looked hideously goofy. Thus it was perpetually out of favour with the army's leadership and seldom authorized for wear. The 64 pattern webbing was pathetic. The material was too light and often sagged and twisted out of shape. The pouches were small, attached by velcro, and had to be secured by gun tape (a high quality olive drab duct tape). We were always looking for the older webbing's pouches and small packs to use instead of, or in addition to, the 64 pattern trash. The boots were decent, but too hot at the height of summer. Our rain gear was atrociously ineffective and was routinely replaced with a US rain jacket. The 1980s were probably the low point of Canadian combat clothing and equipment. It progressively improved through the 90s until in the 2000s, our gear was first rate and continually being improved.

[@slackerjo]

The CAF was totally broke in the 80s. It was a tough time.

[@Qochoc]

I was in from 79 to 83 and agree with everything you said, plus the rain gear made you just as wet due to the sweating from the gear that didn’t breathe, the mags in you shirt would bounce against your chest as you pepper potted over hill and dale, I volunteered to be the the C2 gunner as you got the bra to carry the mags and you could save your chest, then after my rad course I was usually carrying the sterling smg and the radio and thus those mags didn’t fit anything, most would scrounge kit from other countries either army surplus stores or on joint exercises just to get practical gear, I also remember the suspenders always twisting up and having to take them apart just to get them straight….the only pouch that really worked was the compass pouch…I too had combats that became transparent but it was the armoured crew suits that could be considered hostile to the observer

[@GARTH257]

i was british army 82-85 and was so glad when puttees stopped being issued and the higher combat boot came in.

[@GallifreyanGunner]

The '64 pattern webbing was still in widespread use by Canada but the '82 pattern was coming into use by the time period you depict. It's a mixed-bag as well but, in most ways, fixed a lot of the shortcomings of the '64. The pack being a major point of contention, with many preferring the '64 pattern pack frame to the integral one the 82 had. I liked it and have acquired, over the years, a complete set of surplus 82 pattern kit, which I still use for camping.

[@clunkCA]

I’ve also got a mostly complete 82 pattern kit. It’s honestly awesome. The ruck is great and surprisingly light for having the integral frame. The blouse has problems with the breast pockets though. I used to put my multi tool in there but it would always fall out whenever I bent down since it just had 1 button. Overall it’s some good kit and I take it hiking a camping quite often. I could definitely get better kit at the outdoor store but it would cost an arm and a leg and not look as cool.

[@bernard7766]

I started in 1976 with the ww2 webbing in the reserve and I prefer the 1964 webbing. We were putting the FN magazines in the shirt lower pockets (4 in each), the rain coat in the grenade pouch and foods in the other pouch.

[@gregordavey1135]

In relation to Australia there was a magazine filler which fitted on the top of the magazine and enabled you to use clipped ammunition which was issued in bandoliers ( like those in the world wars ). We used the 'giggle hat' M1 helmets were only issued for grenade practice. In the mid 1990s we were issued with an additional slouch hat for 'bush wear' (Much better and more effective than the giggle hat). Theoretically the bush slouch hat was not worn with a pugri but in practice they were worn . On occassion, as artillery, we also wore blue berets. Officers still wore peaked caps on many occassions. Initially we were issued with the pale khaki jumper which had a v neck and you buttoned the shirt should straps through the jumper, which had slots.We were then issued 'Howard Greens' (jerseys heavy wool )- although of much better quality wool than the British version and a much longer fitting. Eventually two of these were on issue one for parades and the other for bush wear . The bumpack was pretty useless and like all of the M56 flopped around . I had the Bren pouches for both 'kidney and ammunition pouches. There was also a big pack with a section at teh bottom for a sleeping bag and a section at the top often used to carry the ANPRC25 radio. or extra rations . It was covered with strips of webbing belt to allow you to attach extra water bottles I generally carried 8-10 bottles

[@JayM409]

We had those Mag chargers in Canada as well. Having a built-in mag charger as part of the weapon was a great feature of the FN C1A1

[@gregordavey1135]

@@JayM409 Hi Jay These were not part of the weapon-Forgotten Weapons has good pictures of these Canadian ones. They Australian ones were presssed metal items which we fitted on top of the magazine itself(when off the weapon). 7.62 was issued in may forms but one was in bandoliers in five round charger clips. Expensive and not teh favourite form forthe bean counters !They preferred cardboard boxes full of single rounds !

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

A thing i’ve learn about the canadian army. The army establishment is often so desperate to ensure that items of individual kit are “not american” that they will willingly saddle troopers with substandard kit for decades on end simply to uphold this principle. Case and point load bearing equipment since the 1960’s.

[@nickysimi9866]

Only for them to adopt the stuff like m1 helmet, with not only mitchell pattern, but m81 woodland too 😂😂😂

[@mikmike5475]

I used to wear the Canadian shirt coat for field exercises as a young cadet. I wore the Canadian boots in the early 70s in the regulars. Rather than getting the cobbler stitch extensions to my DMS boots.

[@DavidFraser007]

We had an Australian Lieutenant on detachment with us in West Germany in the mid 1980s. His light green kit really stood out on an exercise, you could spot him a mile away. But other countries were still running about in green kit at that time, the Germans, Dutch etc. They had an aversion to camouflage combats, the Dutch government didn't want their soldiers to look aggressive, would you believe. Regarding mixing 70s and 80s combats, we all tried to keep out older jackets, the 1980s design was bad quality, like something from a dodgy market stall.

[@swcarp]

That green kit soon blended in with its surrounds after a couple of days , nothing like grime

[@pshehan1]

In the later 80s Australian soldiers were issued with camouflage uniforms but the pattern and colours were different to those of the Americans and British which were designed for European conditions for the expected showdown with the Warsaw pact. The Australian colours were more subdued and the pattern rounded blotches to blend with the Australian landscape.

[@DouglasSpende-xm5kf]

My mom was Candaian so was her entire family! My dad US American MARINE 1950 korea and 1965 1968 Vietnam! He worked with you Aussies! You guys gave him a hat like that he gave it to me after he passed. My Candaian family Served in WW1 WW2 and KOREA. You guys have great uniforms! I was a US MARINE FORCE RECON SNIPER IN 1987-1991! I had all Vietnam era Allis Web gear pouches and canteens M-14 mag pouches and canteens and the 1985 M-12 nylon holster and mag pouches.

[@PatGilliland]

I was a Canadian reservist from 1980-84. On the whole you are spot on with the uniform. However, due to the budgetary issues at the time, all the 64 pattern webbing was given to the regulars and we made do with the 51 pattern gear. It was not as bad as one might think with the Bren pouches capable of holding 3 cans of soft drink each or heaven forbid beer. We also still used the mess tins and carrier - stowing other bits inside as desired. They had to be wrapped in paper towel to stop them rattling. The plastic canteen was ok, but you had to be careful not to fill it right up in winter or it could freeze and split. We regularly practiced with magazines and boxed loose ball in the coat pouches and I don't recall it being particularly difficult. The longer FN C2 LMG magazines were more of a hassle but again the 51 bren pouches could hold them easily. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your breakdown.

[@dennis2376]

I served at the same time period, were you issued the cargo pack and the normal back?

[@enfieldnelly]

I joined the Canadian Army Reserve ("Militia") in early 1989, in a field engineer squadron. We were lucky enough to get '82 pattern webbed gear issued, although with unit modifications including the addition of a '51 pattern ammunition pouch, elimination of KFS carrier, and the mess tin pouch used for field message pad, flashlight, and leather gloves, as no mess tins were ever issued - We just had to use the canteen cup for everything.

[@JimmyChem]

During the 80s in the Canadian infantry, I spent a lot of time in surplus shops acquiring better webbing and pouches! The issued equipment was really pretty awful. The FNC1 rifle, however, was great along with the automatic C2. I still have an affinity for 7.62 over 5.56.

[@mafmaf6417]

Joined the CAF in 85. When I got to Wainwright we received brand new 82 pattern web gear and ruck. Nobody had 64 pattern gear, at least I do not recall seeing any, even once I got to CFB Calgary. The combats were also different, the colour seemed to be of a deeper green. They did fade with time but not that bad as depicted. We also had the Airbourne style chin strap for our helmets. Speaking of helmets, we did not wear them if we didn't have to. We also called the larger web pack the ass pack.

[@jonathanwest759]

Outstanding video; thank you. Wondering how New Zealand gear compared.

[@aymonfoxc1442]

One fellow recounted a bullet shortage and being ordered to practice shooting by pointing their firearm and saying "bullets".

[@fatmanfaffing4116]

I served 1977-85 and never wore my 'slumpy', slouch hat, on exercise. Only troops in the Northern Territory or Far North Queensland wore them as far as I can recall. I never did in the Engineers (or Army Reserve Infantry) and never in the MPs. Hats, Utility Jungle Green, or bush hats (giggle hats to the Brits) were the go. I never saw a Y harness like your model wears. Always the H harness. Not saying we didn't wear them but never saw one. There was also an older issue JG trouser with one large pocket on the left side and a strap and buckle waist fastener but they were old issue. The model is wearing the standard issue. Nothing was ever carried in the pockets on actual patrols as it dug into your leg when you went to ground. Perhaps a map from time to time but I never used them. Our compass/FAD pouch was carried on the left shoulder harness with a taped on first field dressing often carried on the right. Some units did it the other way around, some had SOPs, others it was up to the individual. The 'smock' is the Coats, Mans, Field OG M65, commonly called the 'Bush Jacket'. There was a liner issued to Warrant Officers and senior NCOs... or at least it seemed you had to be a WO to have one hehehe. The jumper was the Howard Green, similar to the UK issue but with epaulettes for rank sleeves. Boots were laced straight as you show with a single lace which was wrapped around the top of the boot and tucked into the wrap; rarely if ever came loose. Trousers bloused with lackey bands scrounged from the troop clerk. BTW on parade the chin strap was worn under the bottom lip. Great to see these videos recording this stuff for future study.

[@alainrouleau]

All very interesting, thanks. I was an infantryman in the Canadian army reserve from 1982-89. Wore both the 64 & 82 pattern. Brings back all sorts of memories, lol. Few things I remember... Helmets were pretty heavy. Field dressing is just as I remember and always a distinctive look for Canadian soldiers. Front pouch was often used to carry a personalized cleaning kit for the FNC1 rifle. You know, small screwdrivers, oil bottle, cotton swabs, etc. As for clothing, don't remember people actually wearing the heavy trousers. We just called it combat pants, combat shirt, and combat jacket. As for the mess tins, an order came down sometime in the 1980s? Saying not to eat out of them for health reasons. That's when we got issued a melmac plate. And people used the pouch for the pretty much useless raingear. As for the gas mask & carrier. Usually it was separate and used with its own straps. The idea being you could take off your webbing & helmet but still walk around with just your gas mask & rifle in case of emergency.

[@robertdion848]

Great video. As a former Canadian Soldier I can tell you . That I was envious of the British Camo and web gear. Keep these videos coming

[@JayM409]

I bought a British camo jacket in Wainright in 83. I was never allowed to wear it, however.

[@newy2242]

i never had an issue with the Mk1 combat boot issued to us in1982 in Northern Ireland just after the falklands conflict, my personal webbing ( for excersise only ) consisted of 58 pattern belt , yolk left ammo pouch , right ammo pouch , 4 water bottle pouches and on kidney pouch , and bum roll carried above the rear pouches as it kept everything nice and tight to the body so no sores or blisters from rubbing webbing, unless resperator was carried then it was 3 water bottle pouches. my combats were all 79 pattern from first nissue as they were so good i never needed to exchange them, some lads did get the soldier 95 issue ( as seen in your pics ) but they were thin and ripped on barbed wire to easily. the new issue of the ballistic helmet was very welcome as it was a better fit and never bounced around on your head unlike the tin pisser, as for SLR it was a brilliant weapon that never let me down personally , Then we recieved the sa80 what a pile of crap but thats another story.

[@politenessman3901]

RE the Australian Kit, generally the Bush hat was worn rather than a grade 2 slouch hat and the webbing worn is what I would call "Kapooka" (basic training) webbing, certainly in the infantry individuals heavily personalised their webbing - as a machine gunner (M60) I carried 2 x Bren pouches on the left front and when I became a Sig I replaced the bum pack with 2 more Bren pouches (as they worked better with the ALICE pack, the toggle rope was more commonly attached to the plastic 'cap retention' loop on the left water bottle and generally we had the 'H' style harness.

[@RARDingo]

Attaching the toggle rope to the water bottle was strongly discouraged in infantry units. It was too easy to get the rope snagged & lose the cap & usually the contents of the bottle too.

[@politenessman3901]

@@RARDingo No it wasn't and you've never carried a water bottle if you think a 'snag' will pull the cap off.

[@politenessman3901]

@@RARDingo Bullshit. anyone who has even looked at the threads on a plastic issue water bottle knows that isn't going to happen, I have not in over a decade of service seen a water bottle cap come off unless deliberately unscrewed. Given the level of bullshit you are running here, I doubt you served at all, let alone in the RAR.

[@RARDingo]

@@politenessman3901 My previous statement is both accurate & proven. Canungra '86 #2 gunner had that exact scenario happen. The retainer broke, the cap came loose, he lost the cap & the water from his canteen. I have never been part of any unit that encouraged using the cap retainer as an attachment for a 9' toggle rope. Not in 1RTB, not Singleton, not 1RAR, 2/4 RAR , 8/9 RAR or 10IRC. All discouraged this practice & diggers found doing this were frequently reminded through additional PT. That's without even mentioning the common sense fact that it is much easier to unsnap your rope from the proper clips attached to the ammo pouch, rather than fuck around unscrewing water bottle lids.

[@politenessman3901]

@@RARDingo Look, we both know you are bullshitting, the threads on an issue WB cap are not getting pulled off of the bottle before the retaining strap breaks (at one of the loops where it retains either the cap or goes around the neck). Secondly the sort of force required to do that would be obvious to the soldier and would easily pop the snaps on a basic pouch that retains the toggle rope in the beginners method, that you pretend was required and since the pouches are worn to the sides (to allow you to go prone), that places the toggle rope in exactly the best position to get it caught on things, whilst pushing the water bottles back to the kidneys (putting a toggle rope mounted there in a location where it is unlikely to catch on anything). I never needed to access my toggle rope, let alone in a hurry, but if you are unable to unscrew a water bottle cap, your bootlaces are going to be way beyond your abilities. Now, I have demonstrated that you are full of crap and why you are full of crap, so just run along and lie to people who don't know you are full of crap, you bore me.

[@michaelamos4651]

British kit definitely looks the most modern but some how the Aussie kit looks the most user friendly. As for the poor Canadians. Great video Thanks. Like the longer format

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Great study Simon!

[@Logbeef]

Love these type of videos great overview 👍👍

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

I joined in 88 TA infantry. SLR with full plastic furniture. 58 pattern webbing. Still had the steel helmets. Then went onto SA80 the new Kevlar helmets, PLCE webbing a vast improvement in comfort and functionality. 58 pattern could be quite good if you got it right with a few modifications.

[@padraigcurran3236]

Another excellent and high quality video Simon. Cant lie though, would have loved to haven seen the Irish 85 pattern in there! 😂 keep up the great work.

[@lib556]

Another great, detailed video. I'm very impressed by the rifle details and assume these are on loan from hard core collectors. I'm always happy to provide advice on Cdn kit of that era (proper email to follow). A couple of quick points: a. respirator being attached to the belt. Tsk tsk. You've reverted back to that which seems to indicate you may have received bad advice from some non infantry type. In my 35 years in the Canadian infantry, spanning 4 regiments, we NEVER attached the respirator pouch to the belt (64 pat, 82 pat, LBV...). It was always slung separately under the web kit. Although, maybe the Vandoos did... who knows about them... 😁 b. the changeover from 64 pat to 82 pat webbing happened in 1985 which makes this a transition year. When I graduated training and was commissioned in summer 85, we were still wearing 64 pat webbing (earlier my whole platoon had been wearing Israeli Kevlar helmets... a story for a different time). However, the bn I was posted to, had already 100% converted to 82 pat web kit in time for Ex RV 85 that summer. I was first issued it in Aug 85 on arrival there. c. Helmet. Bang on... except for the chin strap... in 1985 (and back as far as 83 or earlier) we had a cloth chin cup style strap with a snap closure that replaced that one in the video. That strap was still worn in conjunction with paras who had a separate, additional chinstrap attached to the liner of the helmet. Unlike ours, this Airborne chinstrap was not fastened by a snap. By 85 I'd guess half of the soldiers in our bn had US woodland covers like the one depicted. Older soldiers had the old 'Vietnam era' vine and leave covers. I swapped my woodland for an old one in an effort to look like I had more TI (time in) and I couldn't grow a good moustache yet. I wore that old cover until we were issued new Kevlar helmets with CADPAT covers in 97.

[@JayM409]

Nice catch. Be on time, Mask in Nine.

[@shawnflynn1713]

I really love the detail you put into this video. Really cool.

[@rexmundi3108]

Just wanted to share a story, not a veteran, though quite a few members of my family are and were. In the late 80s I was living in Halifax Canada and in the winter I wore a Canadian Army surplus combat parka, much like the heavy jacket shown here but to the knees and a darker green with a detatchable internal wire rimmed hood. You could close it down to a view slit, great in a raging snow storm I loved that jacket. I often got comments from servicemen near the base : "Where did you get that???" They were still issued the old Korean War era pattern. Very 1950s, fur edged hood. I got it years before they did as surplus out of Alberta. So implementation was not even close to being coordinated. Damn, that was a great jacket. The only problem was that the inner zipper went a bit low, should have ended at the waist. The draw string and buttons were more than enough but that low zipper was prone to separation. The inner segnmented ammo pockets were perfect for concealing beer. Not sure if that was intentional.

[@JayM409]

The inner pouches were for carrying FN magazines.

[@althepal6818]

Gas mask was normally worn with independant straps under the webbing. So, you would never remove it even in resting time.

[@thomaskavanagh549]

Unique perspective here I served UK (TA) infantry, and then immigrated to Canada where I joined a reserve unit. Late 1980's. Using this Canadian kit was like going back in time, (boots notwithstanding) however, the ration packs were a 5 star gourmet feast in comparison to the brit ones. you didn't mention that, even though the bum roll / poncho roll is carrying the noddy suit, it's regulated position was under the kidney pouches. Large amounts of bungees in use to stop it bouncing round when doubling. The first thing I did with my Canadian webbing ?...went to the surplus store and bought more pouches (along with my UK water bottle holder)

[@piobmhor8529]

Ex-Canadian Infantry (1970s and 1980s). Spot on about the 1964 pattern webbing. It was all I knew until we got the Alice kit in the late 80s. The shoulder straps were too narrow and the square buckle on the front broke quite often with regular use. We were allowed to modify it while we were in the field, and I used a 1951 pattern Bren Gun ammo pouch where I usually carried a wooly pulley sweater and an apple or orange. Carrying full magazines in the pockets was uncomfortable and cumbersome to get at in a hurry. Not a very good design I agree.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Other than the previous comments about the scrim (around the neck) and giggle hat (bush hat) ... Bum pack sometimes substituted with British 37 pattern bren pouches - water bottles occasionally attached to sides of bum pack with a smaller US pouch on the belt... Bayonet frog too. Field dressing taped to front suspender on left side. Wrist compass. Fingerless gloves for Puckapunyal in Winter.. cavalry assault troops (later scouts) wore black beret with badge like the vehicle crew ... 320850 1979-1988

[@Lodymir_Elensky]

Just found your channel, great content.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Really enjoyed the video, I read through a lot of the comments and agreed with nearly all of them on our Australian gear. I started my service in 1981 and hated the "webbing" kit more than anything. I was lucky as a medic not to wear it a lot until I went back to the infantry units in the late 80's and then the new gear started to filter in from then on. Of course, there is a tale in that new gear. I was actually digging through some old storage boxes and found my last set of "webbing" that I wore as an infantry medic. And marveled how serviceable it still looked. Now everyone wears the chest rig. I have wondered how they would do the Fire and Movement drills we were taught at Kapooka. Anyway great video, I have liked and subscribed, cheers

[@davidbell8320]

Still got my 58 pattern webbing, it's in the garage, nice video.

[@johnmarston9999]

Important question where did you get your slouch?

[@eduardvanpraag3023]

One question the gasmask bag of the canadian soldier is Dutch army? I was in the Dutch army and we had these.

[@66kbm]

That is correct. At this time the Dutch Army used a variant of the Canadian C3 Respirator and carrier.

[@boffinboy100]

I'm having trouble sourcing CAF kit - if you're at HG in Sept I'll be asking you a few more questions :)

[@therabbitcanada]

when I joined the CF in 1986 we were issued the old pattern webbing, and then about a year later turned it in for the new version (at that time lol). Have a set if you're interested

[@benutzer1423]

Very nice, informative and interesting video but I got a question. Wasn't a new camouflage uniform (Auscam, DPCU) issued for the Australian Armed Forces in 1985 or did it came later? If he already mentioned this somewhere in the video, I apologize.

[@gf8650]

Auscam was introduction in 1989 to whole of Army. A trial version from 1982 was getting around with some troops, this was a cotton pattern with extra large pockets to what was finally introduced .

[@benutzer1423]

@@gf8650 Alright, thanks for the info👍

[@markfranich4757]

One of our regular cadre staff was wearing the trial auscam at my ares annual camp in January 1983. The cut was like a safari suit. An alternative green shirt also worn into the eighties was the pixie shirt which was worn untucked, had two large slanted chest pockets and small sleeve pockets

[@keithorbell8946]

The way you’ve attached the ‘58 pattern poncho roll looks odd, if you put grenade rings on the rear yoke straps, or the flattened rings attaching the rear straps to the C Hooks, you can clip the spring hooks to them and the the side straps of the roll when attached to the top of the ammo pouches help to compress the roll.

[@m0jeo]

I recall seeing a lot of 70s and 80s combats soldiering past the turn of the millennium back in my time in the Army.

[@lunarmodule6419]

In 86 Canada got new web vest made out of nylon. It was bigger, with large quilted straps and belt. We also got a new larger rucksack.

[@sarcasmo57]

It was super interesting. Something I never realised I would be interested in.

[@patdennison4508]

I Served with the British 58 Pattern and the new Nylon pattern. The new Nylon was so much better to use. The 58, when wet, was twice as heavy. The pouches were not that secure neither. I found the DLR to be very reliable and packs a punch. I did like the SA 80, A1A1, but the SA80 A1A2 was even better. We could carry more Ammo with the SA80 being 5.56, (or for the Yanks 223) compared to the SLR 7.62/44.

[@RARDingo]

Re. Australian kit;- we generally would prefer wearing a "bush hat" rather than the fur felt hat, except in hot, dry, open country. Webbing would more likely be "H" pattern & is missing a bayonet + scabbard & we would also tape a field dressing at chest height on a shoulder strap. Compass pouches were rarely used except by Section Commanders. We would also duct tape over all the brass clips & fittings to reduce shine. Our jumper was known as a "Howard Green" it had elbow patches & pen pouches on one upper arm. For cold weather operations we would swap our jungle greens for either British or New Zealand kit. During this time we were field-testing the "Aus-cam" camoflage clothing & the Steyr-Aug rifle.

[@sampointau]

I have a problem with the Australian kit, having had it issued to me between 1981 and 1989. No, we generally didn't get issued US Alice style "Y" yoke, had an Australian designed and made "H" pattern yoke. The small pouch attached to the right front ammo pouch was generally carried on the upper left (for right handed) or upper right (For left handed) front of the "H" yoke and when issued it contained a field dressing (If a compass was carried it was generally either kept in the top left pocket on a lanyard or in another small pouch but fitted on the buckle side of the right ammo pouch). This allowed 2 extra water bottles to be carried, generally to the left and right web strapping on the side of the bum bag. You also had a hutchie or shelter pouch that was fitted to the right of the right ammo pouch forward of the Canteen, in the same position on the left side an issue Machete (Golok Format) could be carried to be used for cutting bush, digging shell scrapes and digging field toilet holes. The only different pouches carried were if the soldier was armed with an M203 or M16 they did use the US army pattern M16 pouches. Also didn't have US M65 jacket issued. You did have a "Grade 2" or bush slouch hat, but generally wore a giggle (soft brimmed) hat made from the same jungle green cotton material as the pants and shirt.

[@bradjames6748]

God those FNs were heavy, would go thru an engine block though

[@HunterLord458]

It's strange that for once New Zealand was ahead of Aussie on the kit. Didn't last long though, and we've been behind ever since

[@damolux3388]

I was issued that exact set of webbing in NZ in 1998. Australia had since replaced theirs with a slightly better set up. When Timor kicked off we started getting new webbing (chest and belt). The belt webbing was a bit of a joke, light weight and very flimsy and with silly clips that really needed both hands to do up.

[@SmokinLoon5150]

Job well done. Thanks for sharing!

[@rafaelmarinic4688]

Fantastic video!

[@althepal6818]

What you think was netting was actually a large cotton scarf made of the same material as the long john underwear! Ery useful piece of gear!

[@CJBrunt]

Strayan 1983-onwards: the US nylon Yoke harness was rare and privately bought/traded, the issue Harness was a cotton web H-pattern with 2 rear straps. It was designed to hold a sleeping-roll on a 'spider' harness hanging off the shoulders but nobody ever used this. The HowardGreen jumper and M65 were only issued in the South, in the North there was still the lighter khaki v-neck 'cricket-jumper', by the 80s they were scarce and passed on from previous owners. The KFF was usually worn without the puggaree and chinstrap, either down south for rain or north for sun in open country, in close country it was the cotton bush-hat. The pistol-belt was usually padded, usually with green felt pads held on by black electrical tape, or in Townsville a local saddlery produced a horse-leather belt pad that had slots for the pistol-belt modified with a velcro buckle on a wide strap that was universally purchased.

[@CJBrunt]

The H harness was hooked to the bumpack, or in the north where jungle training was more common it was replaced by one privately bought large 37pattern square pouch with the harness linked directly to the pistol-belt as with the cloth linkage between the belt and harness on the bumpack the whole webbing bounced around too much.

[@davidbrennan660]

Great video, some good work here.

[@rico_cavalierie]

Canada having the heavy barrel and bipod variant of the FAL was known as the C2. For the kit the C2 gunner would have to wear a "Bra" with 4 pouches for the 30 round magazine. I still have scars on my chin from hitting the ground and the mags being pushed up into my face while pepper potting (advance to contact). The choice was breathe and get hit in the face or not get hit in the face but good luck breathing with your bra being too snug.

[@brendanmorrissey2104]

You know, l haven't heard the phase " pepper potting " in years. Thanks for reminding me of the good and bad times.

[@FlashPan73]

Looks like a few countries had a jumble sale approarch to kitting out the troops :)

[@peterking8586]

It was standard to use a parallel lacing pattern on the boots. This could be easily cut if the solider had a foot injury. It’s rumored that during WW2, in the jungle, the Gurkhas would sneak up and feel your laces and if they were crossed (as the Japanese did) they’d slit your throat.

[@filupe01]

You might be interested to know, but I have official documents showing that Australian GP boots were modelled off of earlier Canadian boots. I find it interesting that the CF put up with their Patt 64 pack (essentially a clone of the US Lightweight Rucksack) for years, way after the Australian Army adopted internal framed rucksacks (Auscam pack).

[@toughspitfire]

My Dad entered the Canadian Airforce right around the time the C7 began to replace the C1's, so he actually trained on both rifles in his career.

[@owen1079]

Amazing how much/fast the Australian kit changed from mid 80's (that still looked Korea/Vietnam), to when I went in 15 years later.

[@TheNorwegian]

Didn't Australia pretty much adopt US ALICE gear with some smaller changes?

[@owen1079]

@@TheNorwegian yes I was issued 99% plastic clip ALICE gear and a few older steel clip pouches. Then MOLLE began to replace it. But ALICE bongos (webbing) will never fully go away I think lol.

[@TheNorwegian]

@@owen1079 Yeah I've seen various pictures of basically US ALICE gear, but in Aussie camo , and with slightly different mag pouches (since the ALICE ones were for M16 mags, and Australia use the Steyr AUG which I think has custom mags)

[@TheNorwegian]

(For that matter - I served in the Norwegian army in 1996-97. Some of the stuff we got issued, was original US M1943 stuff, even with the original US DoD stamps still on them...)

[@davecowan6665]

Australian webbing never looked like that after Kapooka

[@Shelldrake489]

In the depiction of the British army 58 pattern kit,why is the poncho roll worn over the kidney pouches instead of under them ? Is this a personal choice ?

[@VanguardRT]

I served as a reconnaissance patrolman in1985 in Lahr Germany. We has the '64 pattern webgear until the newer '82 pattern was issued. Lots of memories of of that terrible design. If your webing got wet and you has not gun taped the Velcro fasteners, pouches would fall off, especially if you had to do any amount of running.

[@dingerbell100]

We never carried our Respirator Haversack/Pouch on our webbing. We always used the integral strap & it went on over/under our Webbing. Once you had completed a Porton Battle Run you understood why. You can’t dig in in NBC State 3 with your Respirator Haversack & contents attached to your webbing under your weapon fwd of your trench facing out over your arcs. Follow the NBC IA & you will understand why … it’s the same reason why it does not work fitted to your webbing whilst mounted in any kind of vehicle. As others have already stated … with 58 Pattern Webbing … if fitted the Poncho Roll to the top of the Webbing it was fitted the other way around … yours is back to front … this allowed the side straps to pull the sides into a more contoured shape & exposed the securing pouch for the Pick Helve … the shaft of the Shovel or the Pick could then still be secured to the back of the Yoke & Webbing there (Covered in hessian Sand Bags). By the mid 1980’s many blokes had ditched the Kidney Pouches in lieu of extra Water Bottle Puches … especially the 1944 Pattern ones & if lucky the 1944 Pattern Aluminium Mug which was on issue with the 1944 Pattern Water Bottle as Arctic Kit/Cold Weather issue items. More water & a metal mug were more useful than 2 mess tins to an Infantry Soldier. Civilian day sacks were also becoming more popular like the Berghaus Canvas Monroe 35 … later replaced by a nylon version. So called “Para Bergans” were also popular instead of the hated & useless Large Pack (the large bergan being the most sought after) & the Berghaus Roc was the best civilian alternative on the market … unless you had the money to spend on the Berghaus Crusader … which eventually became an issue item for 3 Cdo Bde Units & an Arctic/Cold Weather issue Item (also an Op Banner Issue item … as with Chest Webbing at the beginning of the 1990’s).

[@lance7556]

I've been assembling a US Army kit circa 1985 and it is quite interesting to see the similarities

[@PokeEyeSlapSlap]

I joined up as a 16 Yr Old Jnr Soldier in the 80s down in Shorncliffe Kent, 6 Months Basic then onto Depot PoW Div at Lichfield for another 6 Months. I was in the last Platoon in the Army to Pass Out of Infantry Training with the SLR. A fine fine Weapon it was too, better than the shit that followed. If a 7.62 Round from the SLR hit you, then you weren’t getting up from it unlike the 5.56 SA80 with varying degrees of stopping power. Remember shaving those KF Shirts down so they didn’t itch as much too. Great times.

[@stevestruthers6180]

I served in a Canadian Army reserve armoured recce squadron from 1979 - 1981. The Canadian combat uniform circa 1985 as you have shown it is 100% accurate. When I was serving, we wore exactly the same combat clothing. As armoured recce troopers, we pretty much never used the US M1 helmet and wore berets instead. The major difference in my unit is that we were not issued the '64 pattern webbing and neither was the other squadron of our regiment. Instead, we wore the earlier '58 pattern. However, the commanding officer of my squadron did use the '64 pattern, and it was believed he somehow acquired his webbing privately, through an army surplus store possibly, although it seems more likely that he managed to requisition it from QM stores at a nearby army base and his request was granted. As an aside, the Canadian Army didn't start receiving its new combat helmets until 1997. The helmets are the CG-634 helmet which is based on the French-made Gallet TC-3. We had the FN C1A1, but used it mainly for range practice and public parades or ceremonies such as would be held on Remembrance Day. Our primary issue weapon was the C1 SMG, which was the Canadian version of the British Sterling SMG. Given that we were mounted in jeeps, it made more sense to carry the much lighter and more compact SMG. It was interesting seeing the differences between Australian, British and Canadian kit and you did a great job of showing both the differences and the similarities.

[@crackmonkeynet]

BCD?

[@stevestruthers6180]

@@crackmonkeynet 'C' Sqn 1H.

[@JayM409]

By 1985, Most units had already transitioned to the newer 1982 pattern web Gear. When I received the New pattern in 1985, they did not even want the 64 pattern back, so I gave it to my son to play with. I used a pair of 51 pattern pouches to carry FN mags. The helmet cover I was issued was Oak leaf pattern, reversible to an arid pattern. The early 82 pattern had problems, mainly concerned with quality control, but most were sorted out. It came with a tri-fold shovel intended to be attached to the back, but the shovel was garbage and didn't survive even a single day in the field. The metal bent like paper. I never saw the heavy-weight trousers and did not know they existed until now. The rain gear was flimsy garbage. We all bought US rain jackets and jacket liners

[@mickmorrissey16]

In the 80’s most infantry soldiers bought their own equipment, the sort after item was the 37 Pattern , Bren gun pouch. Often used to replace ammunition pouches. I also used them to replace the bum pack. I don’t think the Alice harness was issue. Most blokes used them though.

[@JayM409]

A lot of soldiers had one set for unit parades, and the other for the field.

[@rjacob1857]

I was in the Canadian army wore the 64, 82 patern web gear and the tactical vest 😊

[@sonnyjim5268]

I was an Cdn infantry man in the early to mid80’s and you are right, we hated that kit. The Velcro used to attach the various items would degrade so we had to add tape to keep the pouches from falling off. Annoying when you had to take them off. What was the Aussie helmet?

[@The_Saxon_of_Riverstone]

In 1985 we always have the mess tins and we packed this with rain poncho. Also we did not have ammo pouch we used the pockets..

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

What’s crazy about this time is, Canada would begin to take computers and cameras into the woods and capture the color spectrums of the Canadian woodlands and have a pattern developed which would become the camouflage uniform of CADPAT revolutionizing camouflage and in some ways and causing detriment in others

[@deananderson7877]

The Australian rifle sure looks like the FN I used in the Canadian army. The British helmet was so much more lighter and more comfortable

[@davydatwood3158]

I feel like I'm a young'n in this audience - I was 9 when these kits were in use! But very interesting to see the formal comparisson; I have half-remembered images of seeing soldiers as a kid, and since there was a lot of training not too far away from where I grew up, sometimes you'd see other nations' troops too. This was super interesting, and I'll have to poke around on your channel. One question: you mention that the UK was introducing the L85 but you didn't mention the Canadians introducing the C7. I thought the C7 entered service in '84? Though I certainly don't have any personal experience - like I said, I was 9 in 1985. Cheers!

[@JayM409]

It took years for the C7 to be issued the entire Forces. As the Quartermaster of my reserve unit I had a copy of the issue priority. Canadian forces Europe 1st (about 1986). Then Regular Force combat arms in Canada, east to west. Then regular force non-combat arms, east to west. Followed by Reserve combat arms, east to west, and then non-combat arms, east to west. As a reserve signals unit in Esquimalt (Vancouver Island), we were dead last, getting ours in Fall of 1990. 741 Communications Squadron, 1981-2003.

[@davydatwood3158]

@@JayM409 Very cool to know, thanks! I figured a Canadian solider in 1985 still carrying the "old" weapon was very plausible. But I'm sure the British had a similar roll-out situation with the L85, so mostly I'm just curious why the video mentions the "new release" for the British but not the Canadians. At this point I'm kind of thinking that it's because the L85 is so strongly associated with the British, whereas when one imagines a soldier with an AR-15 based weapon, one tends to think of Americans. So probably it just didn't occur to the scriptwriter.

[@stevenhoman2253]

Hi, having just listened to the introduction, my immediate thoughts, were. 1, Canada would have had an emphasis on cold weather fighting, and European conditions primarily, Where 2, Australia would have focused more on regional dessert and tropical kit. I look forward to the events unfolding.

[@althepal6818]

Cdn reserve unit did not get up to date kits. So, it may explain the unusual older. Magazine pouch. A regular forces member would have to buy it in a army y surplus.worn only in field exercise as regulation was strict in garrison.

[@DonPerrin]

Around 1988, we Canadians got new webbing that we all thought of as excellent. It vastly improved life in the field. Then came the C7 (our copy of the M16) but that was much more controversial!

[@haleymadimckenzie]

Fantastic video. My father wore much of the same equipment in his time in the Canadian forces although he was issued the pattern 51 webbing which is far superior to the 64 from what veterans have told me.

[@darrenashton2485]

What type of helmet would the Australians have used at that time Simon??

[@OldFellaDave]

We had the old US M1 style, but no-one ever wore it ;)

[@darrenashton2485]

@@OldFellaDave with US woodland cover David??

[@MrBlunders70]

@@darrenashton2485 No, usually individually made covers for the M1 helmets, don't think we ever had an issued cover for it.

[@filupe01]

There was an issued cover, a rubberised, wavy cut affair much like the vehicle Cam nets, OD one side and Dark Earth the other, made by Barracuda of Sweden - these were sometimes seen. More often than not, they were individually made from old hessian and scrim with black tape to hold it together. Later on, with DPCU coming in, some purchased commercial M1 DPCU helmet covers from companies such as Combat Clothing in Southport, or made their own through old shirts etc. Many did not even bother.

[@24934637]

Ah.....58 pattern shrink to fit webbing. Still got my set of it somewhere!

[@peaceraybob]

I was a Sapper in '85 and well remember the trousers. They were a real bitch to properly starch and iron. The GPs were popular but, again, a real pain to keep clean. After going to so much effort to put a good shine on them, I got yelled at more than once for dancing away from pouring concrete, road-tar and the like. Never wore the slouch-hat except on parades, the bush-hat being the preferred headwear for out bush. Heh, I never saw a helmet until changing over to the Navy a decade later. Have you done a video on the extraneous crap we'd carry? Stuff like the pay-book in the left breast pocket, for example.

[@Great_Sandwich]

"A search was conducted but nothing was found." This was a phrase every Canuck became familiar after having been issued the atrocious, utterly despised '64 pattern webbing. The concept was that all operations would be mechanized, and thus "no need" for extra cargo space on the webbing to carry frivolous things such as rations, or ammo. The reality was that severe budget cuts resulted in this kind of horrendous cost-efficient compromise. (The pockets were craftily designed to accommodate the rifle mags. Except they weren't designed for easy extraction.) VELCRO was the world-changing invention which fastened all pouches to the belt. Result: Even a in a mild rain, the velcro would unfasten, resulting in numerous lost pieces of kit. We all ended up duct taping the things sealed once, and for all. On exercise, after the attack, riflemen would lament to the loss of valuable equipment, go back for a fruitless search, and upon return to base fill out a "lost kit report" concisely summarized but the phrase: "A search was conducted but nothing was found." A truly embarrassing era for a proud force that served with distinction in all major wars.