So this is my Aircrew Surivial Ration cum Survival Kit. Apart from the standard mirror/razor/snares/fishing kit/flint and steel I've also included a plastic tube for collecting fresh water and a small resealable bag with cotton balls soaked in Vaseline for starting fires.

Funny thing is Dave, you're not too far from the truth- those rods are inserted into holes on the side of the tin to be used as handles, which can be then suspended over a fire to boil and sterilise drinking water!

Hey great review, I might get a box myself for my dad to keep out at his hobby farm.

Are you getting these shipping direct from Amazon or something? Have Customs ever given you a hassle with wanting to open up these MRE's?

These things are pretty rare. In fact I've never seen one operationally, I've only ever seen them at the Combat Survival Training School in Townsville, QLD. Every aircrew student gets one of these tins and over the duration of COMSURV turns it into their personal survival kit container with knives, ...