Tropical backpack
The Tropical Backpack is a light backpack made of nylon with an integrated framework that the US armed forces because of operational experience Vietnam has been developed.
history
Based on the positive experience with the " ARVN backpack ", the development of a similar backpack for the US armed forces was suggested. The Natick Laboratories then developed a prototype, four of which were then submitted to the ACTIV (Army Concept Team in Vietnam) on December 2, 1965. The USARV (US Army Vietnam) expressed its interest in the prototype and on June 20, 1966 ordered a further 500 copies for troop tests.
The ordered rucksacks were manufactured as part of an ENSURE (Expedited Non-Standard Urgent Requirement for Equipment) rapid procurement measure and flown to Vietnam on February 13, 1967. The 5th Special Forces Group received their backpacks on March 21, 1967 and carried out a troop test until May 10, 1967. In the opinion of the testers, the new backpack turned out to be a great improvement over existing backpacks.
The “Tropical Backpack” was officially introduced on July 11, 1967, but more backpacks were only procured after the ACTIV final report was available.
After evaluating the reports of various units on the troop tests, the Army Materiel Command requested improvements to the prototype on November 17, 1967, which required a redesign; the modifications included strengthening the backpack and rounding the corners of the frame.
On December 21, 1967, 120,500 pieces of the improved "Tropical Backpack" were ordered; on March 4, 1968, it then became standard equipment in the US armed forces. After this decision, the order was increased to 204,650 pieces. The finished backpacks were delivered to Vietnam by air between August 25 and November 22, 1968.
More backpacks of this type were not manufactured, but the design was adopted for the medium pack of the ALICE carrying system.
description
The Tropical Backpack is made of water-repellent, olive-green nylon fabric (Olive Green army shade 106). The fittings are largely made of black anodized aluminum.
The Tropical Backpack combines features of the Lightweight Backpack and the ARVN Backpack . It has the outer shape and construction of the ARVN backpack, but like the lightweight backpack is made of nylon and has three outer compartments.
It has a large main compartment that is closed by means of a drawstring through holes reinforced with metal eyelets at the top and also has a large rain protection flap.
In the rain protection flap there is a compartment with a Velcro fastener for maps and similar items. The underside is coated with plastic as an additional protective measure against rain.
In addition, the backpack has three outside compartments that are closed with flaps; the straps that secure the flaps cannot be pulled all the way through the buckles because their ends are sewn around. In order to open the flap completely, you can detach the other end of the straps from the pockets because they are fastened there with snaps. There are “tunnels” between the back of the outer compartments and the outside of the main compartment through which longer items of equipment can be pushed.
At the upper edge of the main compartment below the drawstring there is a circumferential belt strap with metal eyelets, to which items of the M1956 carrying equipment or the wire hooks of the M1910 equipment of the US Army can be attached. A short strap with two metal eyelets in the middle of the sides of the main compartment.
There are two smaller strap eyelets on each side and on the bottom of the main compartment, which are used to attach short lashing straps for a bed roll . The straps of the rain protection flap allow a blanket roll to be attached to the flap.
All compartments have a drainage opening at the bottom, which is bordered with a metal eyelet. In addition, the backpack was equipped with four separate inner bags made of waterproof nylon, which protect the contents from moisture.
The integrated frame of the backpack is made of flat steel. The frame is X-shaped with a cross brace at the top and bottom. Two vertical straps and a hip belt keep the frame slightly curved to allow air to circulate between the backpack and the wearer's back. The top of the frame sits in the "pocket" at the top of the main compartment; the lower end is attached to two wire brackets at the bottom of the main compartment.
The adjustable shoulder straps are sewn onto the backpack; both have a quick release fastener that allows the rucksack to be thrown off quickly if it comes into contact with the enemy.
The empty backpack weighs only about 1.5 kg.
In action
The Tropical Backpack was used by units of the US Army and the US Marine Corps as an alternative to their too small combat bags and the Lightweight Backpack .
In contrast to the lightweight backpack, with the Tropical backpack it is possible for the wearer to attach equipment to the belt at the back.
literature
- Shelby Stanton: US Army Uniforms of the Vietnam War . Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA, 1989. ISBN 0-8117-2584-7