Thought I'd post some of my Aircrew Survival Equipment and Gear.

[RT Ohio]

Starting off with the "fire grouping".

Information

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[RT Ohio]

Anybody have any questions about any of the items shown hear. Certain items were found in certain kits. All of items were used in most Vietnam Era kits or in seat pans with one exception. Can anybody guess which item is after Vietnam and may have not ever been an issued item?

[Paul S.]

I'll hazard a guess. It is either the candlestick (more likely) or the middle lighter green match safe.

[henry r]

perhaps the magnesium block with the striker strip, in the second last photo? (with the 5/87 date in the corner)

[stencollector]

Delivery date aside, I'm not sure that magnesium firestarter type would date to the Vietnam era. The NATO stock number on it has the "01" country identifier code which came into use after the United States used up the numbers in the "00" block. The 01 numbers did not come into being until 1974, and when I look up the assignment date for that NSN it shows 1983. So it would not be Vietnam era, however I do know the military (even Canada) issues those particular items.

[RT Ohio]

It is actually the NATO (white) pack of matches. I do have an older Vietnam version of the Magnesium striker but I forgot to show it. The NP3 igniters were extremely hard to come by.

[stencollector]

I would suggest the spark-lite firestarter you show (NSN 1680-01-233-0061) was also not codified until 22-MAY-86. That would also make it even later that the magnesium version, and much too late for Vietnam.

Neat collection though. It kind of shows that there is not much that is not collectible. I have to admit to having a few of those items buried in the barrack boxes downstairs, but not enough to base a collection off of.

[RT Ohio]

You know I just looked back at my original post and forgot I put "Vietnam Era". You are all right. I should of just left it at Survival components. Thanks guys for your patience and understanding. I stand corrected.

What else would any of you like to see?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Many years ago, (early 1970s), during an Amberley Airbase open day, my brother scored an escape knife from an Australian-built Sabre that was about to be used for "fire training".

This thing is basically a very short, stout blade attached to a solid, metal handle, the whole tool being about seven or eight inches long, and was supposed to be used to smash your way through a stuck canopy.

He and a couple of fellow air-cadets also removed some access plates which he still has. They attemped to get away with some larger bits from the tail-plane assembly but the driver wouldn't let them on the bus with them.

He did get the "hand-brake" handle, though.

[Peter Laidler]

Fire training........ At the Wootton end of the old RAF Abingdon airfield during the 70's and 80's were old Shackleton AEW planes plus the usual Dove trainers etc etc. All either smashed up for their scrap or used as fire practice. Luckily there is/was a HUGE scrap merchant, Whitecross scrap metal about 200 yards away who started his business in 1945, scrapping old redundant Hudsons from RAF Abingdon