The Russian Soviet VDV Paratrooper Canteen Mess Kit.

In this video, I discuss the features, capacities, and weight of the Russian/Soviet VDV Paratrooper Mess Kit and then cook lunch using the kit.
UPDATE: The link I mentioned in the video is no longer available.

[@derektodd4126]

Mine came covered in cosmolin and a warning to clean, so is definitely surplus. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.

[@karltaylor5643]

Got a cpl. One of the best designs. Slight modification the canteen can be used to distill some water.

[@DanH34]

Thorough and thoughtful. Excellent video, ingenious equipment.

[@Ty_The_Bonsai_Guy]

Nifty little kit. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidderby3628]

Greatly enjoyed several of your videos on the mess kits but the Russian one is so far the one I've really enjoyed the most thank you.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thank you very much! its a great little kit. Its all-in-one little package. Thanks for your comment!

[@MG-wi1eq]

Awesome mess kit. I might pick one up.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

It's worth it to have one in my opinion. Its functional and a great piece of cold war history. Thanks for watching!

[@rockeysingh8841]

Hi John, Like your video. Russians still make the most practical, fit for purpose, and heavy-duty, long-lasting military field kit. Simple in construction, multi pieces which nest together smoothly and easy to use. Well done Brother. By the way, I think you did a great job of not rushing your words, easy tone of voice, and slow enough for viewers to follow. Great job all around. Now, where can I get one of those?

[@martinadejaquiz2482]

i do too... i like the kit. i like the 1-qt. big pot. i also agree knorr is better than mountain house and less expensive. excellent review and field test cooking / thx & thumbed it up!

[@kxd2591]

Thanks for posting. Very glad to hear the "numbers". So many reviewers leave these out. And may I suggest, try letting the water come to a boil before adding the Chicken and Broccoli. Then stir until it reaches a simmer. And I speak as someone who can burn water to the bottom of a skillet. lol.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Glad you found my video useful! As for the Knorr food, I was just following the instructions in the package. There's a few Knorr fans on here that would lose their minds if I didn't follow the instructions! Lol :) Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@darrenerickson1288]

Are you sure it was exactly 1 quart and not 1.05 quarts? ;) (because Russia was metric then I’d expect the capacity is the virtually equal one liter.). But thanks for the review - really informative.

[@bjj685]

Really nice kit John. I bought one after watching this video and I am very happy with it. Mine didn't come with the bag which I am trying to buy separately. Now I just got to go to the woods and cook myself a meal. thanks for sharing

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I hope you continue to enjoy your new kit! Thanks for watching my video and for your comment!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Ive been using this kit for a couple years now and the only complaint I have is the size of the mouth opening on the canteen. Hands down my favorite kit.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I agree with you. The canteen would be nicer if the mouth was wider for filling. But as a whole, it's a nice, compact all in one kit.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

John Sherwood I actully wish some one would remake and improve this, Ild pay good money for a newer version.

[@walterseigler3139]

This mess kit can also be used to purify water. mine came with a diagram that uses a lid with a hole on the canteen and the pot has a hole just under the lip near the handle for a tube to fit into. fill canteen with water from Creek or pond add lid with tube and insert other end of the tube into the hole in the edge of the pot put cup full of water or ice or snow on top to use as a coolant and place canteen in edge of fire and this distills water. I am supposing from the diagram I received that I will have to drill the hole myself in the pot and use a cork drilled out on canteen and provide my own piece of tubing. maybe some of the kits came with the hole drilled and cap and tubing necessary to use as a distiller. I haven't tried it yet but plan on it in the near future.

[@AllThatInterestingStuff]

Waiting for confirmations on this because I ordered mine also for the same capability of this kit. I assume they don't give you plastic tube with the kit, but you can get it in a local store or online. I am curious about the hole that the diagram shows.. Where is it? Should I drill a hole myself?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

My kit did not come with a hose or a hole drilled. I'm not an expert with Russian military history nor have I tried this, but according to the pictures I seen, the canteen with salt water has a stopper with the hose coming out to your cook pot. The aluminum canteen goes in the fire to boil the water. The water just needs to re-condense through the hose and into the pot. I wouldn't think you would need a hole for the hose to pass through. Just setting the cup on top of the pot and hose would be good to keep sand or ash out of your clean water. That is my opinion. I would hate to drill a hole on my kit.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for checking in. I hope all is well. Hopefully you will be able to find a cover for it. If not, it will still serve you well. Thanks for watching another one!

[@DailyDaze]

Got mine in the mail today, definitely worth the wait, great stuff, thanks for the review!

[@donkerspook]

is it just me or does this guy sound like the bob ross of surplus? Edit: at least for the first part, when he was sitting at the table reviewing the product.

[@farqitol]

Happy little mess kit.....

[@MrTimerider1160]

Really a VERY NICE VIDEO PRESENTATION! Very Informative and Educational.

[@buildingblocks51]

great video. I just bought one of these after watching your video. thanks for the information

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad my video was of some help. The only thing I would recommend is if you are planning to use this kit, that you replace the black rubber gasket. Mine came in an unused condition so the preservation oil was soaked into the rubber gasket and I couldn't fully remove the smell. I replaced it with gasket grade cork. I hope you enjoy your kit for many years to come!

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Great vids John,there is a nice arctic cover in digital camo also looks really cool

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

kerry mcmanus I think I have seen that cover before. And I agree that it’s very cool. I think I need to get this kit out and show it some love soon. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS No worries John.Whats the best way to clean alloy kits? Cheers

[@SuperIain13]

I've got 3 favorite mess kits now, the Polish, Russian VDV paratrooper, and a British billy w\ lid-fry pan, had the billy can, after watching your videos I got the other 2, keep it up!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks! Those are nice kits. Be careful! You might become a collector like me! :)

[@SuperIain13]

Working on it._._lol

[@Veldvaardigheden]

Hi John, I bought the kit a few weeks a go . sadly there was no cover with it . I like it very much . Greets Martin.

[@BushcraftWoodsDevil]

Nice! I'll bet with the cup snapped atop the pot, it acts as a double boiler so food won't burn in the cup.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Yes you can. Its a great kit. Thanks for watching my video and for commenting!

[@walterseigler3139]

I don't care for the hole drilling either that's what the diagram showed I thought how it works is pretty cool. thanks for the vid.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching.

[@BK33REVIEWS]

What is your favorite for practical cooking and backpacking use love the videos very helpful

[@benterwellen]

I have this kit, if you come across getting one, you wont be sorry....its a good one.......

[@justanotherrat9703]

Got any tips on cleaning these things out when you first get them? Mine came with an oily/greasy film on them. Current plan is a hot soapy bath, a boil, a vinager wash, and then another soapy bath.

[@margaretadler6162]

Just subbed, I just ordered one,looking forward to trying it out. Thanks John------ Sam Adler

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Margaret Adler I hope you love it and it serves you well. It may be coated in preservation oil on all parts and even inside the canteen. I kept washing the canteen with super hot water until it was clean. You may also want to replace the stinky black rubber gasket with cork or some other type gasket of your choosing. Thanks for watching and fro your comment!

[@jelkel25]

It looks a great piece of kit but for the aluminium canteen version you pay £25+ in the UK. A brand new Crusader 1 or 2 cook kit is between £16 and £30 (without the extras) and a French army 2 pint aluminium canteen with canteen cup and three piece mess tins is about £20, your East German mess kit is less than £10 (unused), so it stacks up a little bit pricey at present!!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

+jelkel25 I hear what you're saying about it getting pricy. There is definitely cheaper ways to go like the East German one. I paid $21 for my Soviet kit. Before I finally bought one, I kept looking at them for a long time. I finally gave in. For sure I didn't need another mess kit but I've become sort of a collector and I wanted it. Its a pretty neat kit after you get it cleaned up (The Soviets stored it with some sort of oil coating).

[@jelkel25]

Yeah, I think there was an element of my trying to convince myself more than you. I've been stung a couple of times with the older aluminium bottles turning up oxidised. It is a great little kit and I'd probably get it if I had it in my hands (that's what happened with the Crusader 2!!). I've got my eye on the West German canteen set at the moment and I'll give in and buy it soon enough!!!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

+jelkel25 I have the West German kit too. I've had it for almost a year now and only used it once in the house to make coffee. If you have any questions about it just let me know. You can post your question in the "Discussion" link on my channel page.

[@TheBikerDodge]

He said "Let's stop talking about it" and three minutes later he's still dribbling on.

[@luisvera7993]

I want one

[@airborne101pathfinder7]

How do you clean the kit when you get it from storage?

[@hliew0]

May be a silly question, however how food safe would these old vintage canteen kits be for cooking nowadays? I’m keen to use them as I love the shape and how it functions. Thanks for the input and advice!

[@Hermann-lz2jb]

Some people believe aluminum cookware can lead to Alzheimer’s based on recent studies, if you tend to agree then you can always find a good set of steel cookware just make sure you clean it out good and you’re set for life:)

[@user-vt1lr3jr4w]

Они сделаны из пищевого алюминия и безопасны. В СССР были жесткие стандарты производства, это не китайские вещи с сомнительным химическим составом. В СССР не было ухудшения качества стандартного изделия для извлечения прибыли. За этим, к тому же, следила Военная приемка.

[@robaldridge6505]

good video, but so odd you get these measurements of exact cups from metric gear

[@williamsmith6]

you like the word ok

[@drcsep]

great video amigo

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

+Carlos Sepulveda Thank you for watching!

[@leestephenson4952]

“ If “ a company would make exact reproduction of this kit except in food grade stainless steel, it would be the boss. Also, upgraded cover with two accessory pockets.

[@margaretadler6162]

John, will the pots fit in the cooking stand of the swedish mess kit?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Margaret Adler it will fit in the stand but the stand is much larger than the kit. The only problem you might have is noise from the parts rattling if stored in the stand while hiking.

[@margaretadler6162]

Thanks John ATB Sam Adler

[@redstickrant]

John: How does the bail pot compare size-wise to a USGI canteen cup? Would like to see a side-by-side comparison. Love the videos!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I will try to get them out soon to at least get you some measurements or make a comparison video. I have been very busy with the holidays and family stuff.

[@redstickrant]

John Sherwood John: Many thanks. I am thinking about gettin a VDV kit, but having never put my hands on one I want to see it near something I know. Happy New Year from frozen South Louisiana.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I filmed a comparison video today. It should be up sometime on Monday I hope.

[@redstickrant]

John Sherwood: Thanks. Looking for it.

[@k9road]

😊

[@JohnDoe-ee6qs]

did you find that there was a paraffin oil smell off of your set when you got it? some kind of storage wax maybe, i think they're still making these and using them in Russia as i have seen these sets for sale with a 2002 year of manufacture on with a modern Russian army camo. my set is from 1976 i think brand new just out of storage.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Yes, I had the storage oil all over the set and inside the canteen. It also got into the rubber gasket for the canteen and I couldn't get rid of the smell. So I replaced it with a cork gasket that i made. I kept the original rubber gasket to keep the set's collecting value. I think they use that stuff for all their stuff in storage. My other Russian army canteen and mess kit had it applied the same. Thanks for watching my video!

[@Lettusfarm]

Why does it look like a pissed off samurai at 1:23😂

[@sirguy104]

Nice but what I don't like is the fact you have to disassemble the kit to take a drink. Same as the Yugoslav kit and the West German.

[@shadowstalker130666]

Mine has a small piece missing from the rubber seal, causing a small leak. Any advice on how to fix it?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

You can replace it with a new gasket. I made mine from a piece of 1/8 inch gasket grade cork. I bought a couple small sheets off eBay meant for tractor engines. You might be able to find some at your local auto parts store. Just carefully remove the old gasket and trace it onto the cork and cut out with a hobby knife or maybe some sharp scissors. Then just trim to fit.

[@kxd2591]

Find some silicone kitchen "stuff" (pot lifter, pot setter etc.) and cut a circular piece that will fit the canteen, then either use if a little oversized for a compression fit, or just use a small amount of glue to hold it to the cap. In a pinch you could cut it from an inner tube. But good luck finding an inner tube in these days of tubeless. lol.

[@alfredosantana8995]

A flat o-ring?

[@jamesaritchie1]

Will a second cup slip any distance over the first cup? The reason I ask is because with the U.S. canteen cook set ir will, and the best, strongest most lasting canteen stove you can have is one made from a second G.I. canteen cup. Cut the bottom off at the right height, cut out the need fuel feed and air flow slots, and it fits over the first cup the same as the regular stove does, but it's a lot stronger. I know you need a second cup to try it, but you may be able to tell by whether there's any slope to that cup?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Sorry it has taken me a while to answer. I have had a sick child and just didn't have time to pull the kit back out to take a look. Best as I can tell, another cup could maybe slide over the bottom of the existing cup but you would only have room to slide it 1 1/4 inches before hitting the folding handle of the existing cup. You could possibly cut this area out on the additional cup like the US GI canteen cup stove to help it clear. But I'm not sure the cup is tapered enough to slide 1 1/4 inches anyway. The only way to truly tell is to buy a second kit and try it.

[@sosteve9113]

nice canteen looks similar as a german one

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Very similar except the canteen fits inside the set and its little bit smaller. A very nice set. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@19ghost73]

@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS The true German aluminum canteen kit consists of a canteen holder=thermal cover, the canteen cup with fold-out handle and the canteen itself - all pieces made from aluminum and kidney-shaped. Don't confuse it with the German mess kit, which is also kidney-shaped and a 3-piece set. ATB from a former German Army Sergeant

[@OttoWeber71]

The notches on the cup/lid main purpose is to prevent rattling while marching/running, just like the handle snapped directly on the flask. Nice, compact, sturdy and "quiet" equipment. By the way, I cringed when you dumped the chicken broth! What a waste! LOL

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Otto Weber Lol. I didn't mean to make you cringe. It was a waste but my reason was to not add anymore water to the rice than what was in the directions. I guess I could have just adjusted the amount of water to incorporate the broth. It was easier for me to dump it so it turned out good for the video. Thanks for your info on the notches. It makes sense. I do like that I can lock the cup to the pot using those notches and bail handle. I never thought of noise reduction as their function. Thanks for watching my video and have a great day!!

[@derektodd4126]

Mine is the same. 1979.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Derek Todd 79 was a great year for Soviet surplus. This is one of the greatest kits made in my opinion. Thanks for watching my video and for your comment!

[@facundoromero1883]

god

[@zootallure8913]

I made a "thin" wooden lid for mine, with a wire peg. It fits ok, on the bottom of the kit. Not much quality, but is Russian...

[@matthiasfeilke6052]

Was ein Paddel!

[@wernesgruder1]

Not a fan of anything aluminium for cooking/eating....save up and get titanium. Super lightweight

[@thomaslcarpenter2105]

I can count pretty high numbers since my college major is accounting, however I couldn't count high enough to discern how many times you said "okay" during this video. This was very distracting, okay?

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thomas L Carpenter OK

[@jamesaritchie1]

This is where the plyers on a Leatherman come in handy. That stove needs a handle on the simmer ring. I have a Trangia, if that's what yours is, and I love it, but putting the simmer ring on, or taking it off, or adjusting it when the stove is hot, is a nightmare. I have a Self-Reliance Outfitters alcohol stove, and it's a good deal bigger than the Trangia, and has a fold out handle on the simmer ring that makes the stove so much easier to use that it's amazing. As soon as I get some spare time, I'm going to make one for the Trangia. Because of its small size, the Trangia is my EDC stove, but it really, really, really needs a handle on the simmer ring. As for the Mountain House meals, I love four of the desserts, but they do cost too much, and most of them really don't taste very good, at least to me, so I've been experimenting with other brands. I don't think I've tried the one you cooked here, but I could be wrong. It just doesn't ring a bell. Anyway, great review. That's one kit I do not have, but it looks great. I'm old and on a fixed income, a broken income, really, but I save enough to buy something like this every three months or so. This one is definitely my next purchase. Thanks much for the great review.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Yeah, that stove burnt me a little. I carry a leatherman with me most times I'm out but in this case I left it inside. If you get a VDV kit, I think you will be happy with it. The only thing you may have to do is replace that rubber canteen gasket with a different one after cleaning the storage oil out. I used cork from a gasket kit for mine.

[@quentinmichel7581]

Seems like the butter was forgotten. 😁

[@s.g.3042]

you don't mess with the soviet russian mess kit ;)

[@pichp.p.t9409]

cover canteen water army russian good

[@thelonelybushcrafter8013]

Count the times you say ok in this video!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Ok! Lol.

[@ascendedfashy9632]

It's pronounced veh-deh-veh

[@pichp.p.t9409]

water canteen cover army russia good to army cambodia 1979- 1989 war

[@pichp.p.t9409]

cover water canteen army russia good to war

[@richardmusto1435]

speak up a little more.

[@smeagle6092]

Are you deaf,?