RCW DATING
RCW DATING
HELP- I HAVE A BUNCH OF RCWS AND THE DATE CODES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. FOR INSTANCE-INSTANT OATMEAL DATE CODED 8128. DOES THIS MEAN 2008? 1998? I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR A WHILE, BUT HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT YEAR ?? THANKS.
Re: RCW DATING
Depends if it is a:
Ration, Cold Weather:
1998
or a Meal, Cold Weather
2008
Ration, Cold Weather:
1998
or a Meal, Cold Weather
2008
- mreheater72
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:14 pm
- Location: Germany, Frankonia
Re: RCW DATING
If you read the NATICK PAM 30-25, 3rd and 4th edition you will find the following information:RONJON wrote:HELP- I HAVE A BUNCH OF RCWS AND THE DATE CODES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. FOR INSTANCE-INSTANT OATMEAL DATE CODED 8128. DOES THIS MEAN 2008? 1998? I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR A WHILE, BUT HOW TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT YEAR ?? THANKS.
“[RCW] was available for troop issue in July 1989.”
“The RCW will not be procured after the year 2000.”
“The MCW/LRP documentation was completed in FY99 for FY00 initial procurement of the combined product.”
Some pics taken from my collection for illustration:
RCW Case DoP June 1989, perhaps first run RCWs
RCW Case DoP June 1989
RCW Menu 1A DoP June 1989
RCW Menu 1B DoP June 1989
RCW Case DoP September 1999
RCW Case DoP September 1999
RCW Menu 5A DoP September 1999
RCW Menu 5B DoP September 1999
MCW Case DoP March 2004
MCW Case DoP March 2004
MCW Menus 12 and 2 DoP 2004
MCW Menus (FOOD PACKET COLD WEATHER, that designation is wrong) 5 and 4 DoP 2004
So long mreheater72
"QUIDQUID AGIS PRUDENTER AGAS ET RESPICE FINEM"
Re: RCW DATING
I WOULD ASSUME FROM MY RCW (RATION, COLD WEATHER) DATED "8128" THAT IT WAS MADE IN 1998, SINCE THEY WERE NOT ISSUED IN 2008 . CORRECT ?
- mreheater72
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:14 pm
- Location: Germany, Frankonia
Re: RCW DATING
Yes, that should be correct. If possible, post some pics !RONJON wrote:I WOULD ASSUME FROM MY RCW (RATION, COLD WEATHER) DATED "8128" THAT IT WAS MADE IN 1998, SINCE THEY WERE NOT ISSUED IN 2008 . CORRECT ?
So long mreheater72
"QUIDQUID AGIS PRUDENTER AGAS ET RESPICE FINEM"
Re: RCW DATING
ONE FINAL ITEM- SHELF LIFE OF THESE RATIONS (RCW) IS GIVEN AS 3 YEARS. I AM TOLD THAT THEY COULD LAST AS LONG AS 25 YEARS DUE TO THE NATURE OF THEIR PREPARATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK ??
Re: RCW DATING
RONJON, they can last a while if stored properly in a nice stable cool temperature.
I have several from the late 90's and they are still ok.
I have several from the late 90's and they are still ok.
"Live long and prosper..."
Re: RCW DATING
First thought!? What´s wrong with your CAPS LOCK?RONJON wrote:WHAT DO YOU THINK ??
The shelf live mostly depends to the storage temperature, that´s what the TTI sticker is for.
I could also be just a month and not three years if stored at >120F
- steve1989
- Posts: 1413
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Re: RCW DATING
I ate 6 RCW's from 1998 - I'm still fine. I just got an old RCW that has fruit soup, Rasberry in it. I was pretty excited because I thought they only did the strawberry fruitsoup.
I think they put cocaine in RCW oatmeal cookies/bars because I think about it all the time and I have spent about $400 on eating old RCW's in 6 months. (Sorry guys I know you hate to hear that I am an eater and document-er on this stuff I only collect whats not edible still. )
Only thing that didn't last I found was the chicken soup if its in a paper packet like the ones in a store but if they're in foil packing they last forever.
I think they put cocaine in RCW oatmeal cookies/bars because I think about it all the time and I have spent about $400 on eating old RCW's in 6 months. (Sorry guys I know you hate to hear that I am an eater and document-er on this stuff I only collect whats not edible still. )
Only thing that didn't last I found was the chicken soup if its in a paper packet like the ones in a store but if they're in foil packing they last forever.
- steve1989
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Re: RCW DATING
Here's some 1989 RCW items packed from the Rafco Freeze Dried Company!
-First off, I have the Fig Bars, which are just fig newtons... they smelled strong of figs and tasted very sweet, soft, and chewy. Looks questionable to eat - but it was safe and tasted great!
P.S. I think I will start my own RCW review post soon with all my documentations since there may be some interest.
-First off, I have the Fig Bars, which are just fig newtons... they smelled strong of figs and tasted very sweet, soft, and chewy. Looks questionable to eat - but it was safe and tasted great!
P.S. I think I will start my own RCW review post soon with all my documentations since there may be some interest.