Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Discussions about US MREs and other US rations
ChowLine
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:15 pm

Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by ChowLine » Mon Mar 01, 2021 3:42 am

I Can See Clearly Now!

I am in the process of preserving my ration collection using museum industry recognized standards and practices. That process entails some experiments with preserving contents, stopping the process of decay of the ration cans, boxes, plastics, paper, fiberboard and less perishable contents like candy, cookies/ crackers, gum, cigarettes etc. That process involves removing items from cases and boxes they are packed in, and putting them in new containers designed to preserve the artifact, and possibly also allow it to still be viewed.

In this case I wanted to remove the contents of a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault (FPIA) a fellow ration collector sent me, but also wanted to be able to show off how the contents were packed. By removing these items from their original box, the amount of wear and tear on the box is seriously decreased, and the life of the components inside increased So, I decided to make a prototype of a clear FPIA, which will latter be made from museum grade plastic that is not prone to outgassing. This clear box will allow the contents to be displayed as they were packed as well as provide additional protection while being stored.

Similar to the cutaway replicas and clear ration cans I have made in the past, I have a number of original, and reproduction items I plan to treat in this manner.

Also a special thanks goes out to Steve1989 for sending me the original in the first place.
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Smitty
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Location: AB, Canada

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by Smitty » Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:51 am

You’re doing the lords work.

Beautifully done.
All the best, Gents.

- I'm also making videos mainly for my own enjoyment, but hey, maybe you might want to check them out: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4-9gp ... C1dSyPX0w/

ChowLine
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:15 pm

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by ChowLine » Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:49 pm

Thank you. I have quite a few rations I plan to do this with actually. Some are small like the caramels from a K ration, while others are much lager like an entire 8 can RIC, or a whole case of MCIs.

Inspired by the original examples made by the quartermaster of clear rations (below) designed to show off the contents to the public, I have slowly been experimenting with naking both reproduction and original items clear.
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Cortexmelon
Posts: 197
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by Cortexmelon » Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:11 pm

That is such an incredible way of preserving and containing a displayable version of a ration, I love it! Can't wait to see more!

norge
Posts: 1708
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:57 pm

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by norge » Tue Mar 02, 2021 4:08 am

man you have to try to make a clear MRE :D that would be uber cool :D

cheers ken

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blue87fj60
Posts: 191
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2018 11:52 am
Location: South Jersey

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by blue87fj60 » Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:08 am

The printed can ones are over the top cool. 👍

Deadheadmatt
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Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:45 am
Location: Boise, ID

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by Deadheadmatt » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:47 pm

Those are really neat! Can't wait to see more pics.

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rareauldmealtimes
Posts: 173
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Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by rareauldmealtimes » Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:16 am

Incredible job! Super fascinating and educational. So great to see these small pieces of history getting this 1-A treatment!

ChowLine
Posts: 114
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2016 4:15 pm

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by ChowLine » Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:11 am

Thanks! I really enjoy finding different ways to display rations that preserves them, but also makes them interesting to look at. I have a few other projects in the works at the moment that I might be posting soon.

Jim_M1988
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Location: United Kingdom

Re: Making a 1952 Food Packet Individual Assault Ration Clear

Post by Jim_M1988 » Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:23 am

ChowLine wrote:
Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:11 am
Thanks! I really enjoy finding different ways to display rations that preserves them, but also makes them interesting to look at. I have a few other projects in the works at the moment that I might be posting soon.
Going to make any more of these to order? :D

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