Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Discussions about US MREs and other US rations
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blue87fj60
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by blue87fj60 » Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:19 am

Clear version is super cool.😎

Fallout420
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by Fallout420 » Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:20 pm

Dude that’s amazing work, that’s super cool! The transparent one is especially neat!

Here’s some pictures for ya, the Jelly Bar was in the opened loose accessory packet, and one of the accessory packets was torn enough for me to slip out the caramels and the gum. I couldn’t open the caramels up any more as they had melted and stuck the flaps of the box down, and I didn’t want to tear it. Hope this helps you!
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ChowLine
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by ChowLine » Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:49 pm

Fallout420 wrote:
Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:20 pm
Dude that’s amazing work, that’s super cool! The transparent one is especially neat!

Here’s some pictures for ya, the Jelly Bar was in the opened loose accessory packet, and one of the accessory packets was torn enough for me to slip out the caramels and the gum. I couldn’t open the caramels up any more as they had melted and stuck the flaps of the box down, and I didn’t want to tear it. Hope this helps you!
These certainly did! The boxed Caramel is not one I have seen before, so that helps quite a bit. Here are some photos of the confections from FPIA Accessory Packets I have been able to gather so far..
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Fallout420
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by Fallout420 » Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:00 pm

ChowLine wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:49 pm
These certainly did! The boxed Caramel is not one I have seen before, so that helps quite a bit. Here are some photos of the confections from FPIA Accessory Packets I have been able to gather so far..
That’s awesome! Really makes me curious what’s in the other three accessory packets haha, but I just can’t bring myself to open them, not with a complete meal. I really want to open that stray B unit as well, but it’s just in absolute perfect condition!

ChowLine
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by ChowLine » Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:35 pm

Fallout420 wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:00 pm
ChowLine wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:49 pm
These certainly did! The boxed Caramel is not one I have seen before, so that helps quite a bit. Here are some photos of the confections from FPIA Accessory Packets I have been able to gather so far..
That’s awesome! Really makes me curious what’s in the other three accessory packets haha, but I just can’t bring myself to open them, not with a complete meal. I really want to open that stray B unit as well, but it’s just in absolute perfect condition!
Yeah, I wouldn't open the other Accessory packets. In all likelihood you will probably find what I have already posted photos of as I'm not sure there was much more variation in the confections than what you and I have now posted. The other contents are all variations on what you can find on the web in a google search, so there is not much mystery there either. I have included a quartermaster photo of FPIA meals indicating at least 8 different meal types based on the presence of 8 M units so you can see what your M units contain. As for the unopened B-Unit, I say go for it! Those are fairly common to find and you have a spare there, open it and eat it. Use the sandpaper method to wear down the rim on the bottom of the can and remove the lid without damaging anything so you can put the lid back on with a drop of super glue. I have done that many times and its a great method to open and conserve rations.

I don't have the Caramel's in my collection, so if you end up parting with anything, that accessory packet, and even the meal it goes with, would be great additions to my confection collection.
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Fallout420
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by Fallout420 » Sat Jan 08, 2022 4:26 pm

ChowLine wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:35 pm
Yeah, I wouldn't open the other Accessory packets. In all likelihood you will probably find what I have already posted photos of as I'm not sure there was much more variation in the confections than what you and I have now posted. The other contents are all variations on what you can find on the web in a google search, so there is not much mystery there either. I have included a quartermaster photo of FPIA meals indicating at least 8 different meal types based on the presence of 8 M units so you can see what your M units contain. As for the unopened B-Unit, I say go for it! Those are fairly common to find and you have a spare there, open it and eat it. Use the sandpaper method to wear down the rim on the bottom of the can and remove the lid without damaging anything so you can put the lid back on with a drop of super glue. I have done that many times and its a great method to open and conserve rations.

I don't have the Caramel's in my collection, so if you end up parting with anything, that accessory packet, and even the meal it goes with, would be great additions to my confection collection.
Man, they really skimped you out on pork on that pork and beans menu huh 😂. Alright you convinced me, I’m gonna give it a try! Could you elaborate on the sandpaper method you mentioned? I would love to keep the can looking unopened after. And regarding the caramels, let me think on it but since it’s going to a great collection, I think we could work something out!

ChowLine
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by ChowLine » Sat Jan 08, 2022 8:29 pm

Fallout420 wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 4:26 pm
ChowLine wrote:
Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:35 pm
Yeah, I wouldn't open the other Accessory packets. In all likelihood you will probably find what I have already posted photos of as I'm not sure there was much more variation in the confections than what you and I have now posted. The other contents are all variations on what you can find on the web in a google search, so there is not much mystery there either. I have included a quartermaster photo of FPIA meals indicating at least 8 different meal types based on the presence of 8 M units so you can see what your M units contain. As for the unopened B-Unit, I say go for it! Those are fairly common to find and you have a spare there, open it and eat it. Use the sandpaper method to wear down the rim on the bottom of the can and remove the lid without damaging anything so you can put the lid back on with a drop of super glue. I have done that many times and its a great method to open and conserve rations.

I don't have the Caramel's in my collection, so if you end up parting with anything, that accessory packet, and even the meal it goes with, would be great additions to my confection collection.
Man, they really skimped you out on pork on that pork and beans menu huh 😂. Alright you convinced me, I’m gonna give it a try! Could you elaborate on the sandpaper method you mentioned? I would love to keep the can looking unopened after. And regarding the caramels, let me think on it but since it’s going to a great collection, I think we could work something out!
The sand paper method is very easy. I can probably make a short video on how to do that for you, but ultimately you just need some 120 grit sand paper, stick that to a flat surface, put the bottom of the can on it, and rub the can back and forth until the bottom of the lid pops off. The sand paper wears down the metal on the rim leaving everything else intact without any indication the can was opened. And yeah, think about that FPIA, we can talk about it in the near future. In the mean time I'll make a short vid and then make sure you record opening that B Unit for everyone to see :D

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housil
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by housil » Sun Jan 09, 2022 6:35 am

mreheater72 also used the sand paper method to open the cans.

I used a Tupperware safety can opener to open the cans.
That can opener cuts into the beading without leaving any marks nor causing a sharp edge. You can close the lids again.
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Fallout420
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by Fallout420 » Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:35 pm

Well, it took some arm strength and about 4 sheets of 120 to do it, but it worked haha. The contents inside were perfect, and honestly really good. The crackers were still crispy and salty, and the cookie was perfect! Probably the best B unit contents I’ve ever had, as the secondary contents in MCI B units seem to always rub off on the crackers. Thanks Chowline for the sand paper trick, looks good as new!
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ChowLine
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Re: Acquired a few complete FPA’s!

Post by ChowLine » Wed Jan 12, 2022 5:09 am

Fallout420 wrote:
Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:35 pm
Well, it took some arm strength and about 4 sheets of 120 to do it, but it worked haha. The contents inside were perfect, and honestly really good. The crackers were still crispy and salty, and the cookie was perfect! Probably the best B unit contents I’ve ever had, as the secondary contents in MCI B units seem to always rub off on the crackers. Thanks Chowline for the sand paper trick, looks good as new!
That looks great! Glad you decided to open it, a unique experience to be certain. Not many 1950's rations left out there worth opening up, and these B-Units are still found in enough numbers where it's alright to taste them, but not for much longer. I have not opened any of my FPIA B-Units yet, but I think this weekend I will and join you in trying one out. I'll photograph and record it as well.

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