Food Packet, Survival, SA-4 DoP March 1954 *Full Review*

[Norton]

Just got a SA-6. 1957 DoP.

Put it next to my near mint SA 3 and you woulda thought it was older!

Who wants to see what's inside?

I do, for me these are interesting rations. A great deal of thought would go into the contents. For instance how much water would a food item need to be digested. How many calories can you pack inside. Are the components made to be split up and eaten slowly over a period of days. What other items are a must pack.. example Water purification tablets?

Were actual survival story examples used when creating the menu and selecting the contents

I would like to see a 1950's compared to a modern 2015 USAF USN or NATO flight kit
Then Compare it to Soviet/Warsaw Pact 1950's era kit and a Modern 2015 Russian Federation kit
Same with Japanese flight crew survival kits from 1960's to modern eras. Japan flys patrol aircraft over vast stretches of Pacific. They must have well designed kits designated for aircrew survival use

[steve1989]

I completely agree with you, Norton!

These are an important part of the history of development in Survival Rations.

Through trial & error and along with the soldier's personal experiences (I would certainly be thrilled to read or hear one's own story of survival and using ANY survival ration) they could develop what was the most effective variety of nutrients and calories and maximize their matching water requirements to process those foods.

I feel your earlier observation of the fruitcake bars & cheese bars to be spot on - long shelf life and calorie dense. The fruitcake probably has low water requirements as well. (not sure on that cheese bar but I think it might be pretty low sodium)


Now, Norton - I have opened the SA-6 and I have wonderfully turned out photos - I am posting them either tonight or as soon as possible (My mom got a double knee replacement and I have extra responsibilities until she is outta PT the end of the Summer so I have less time than usual but in 2 months or so I will be back to my normal output)

This one is the freshest by FAR! The chocolate is beautiful and I think it may be 100% edible (tasting here in 5 minutes or so and will relay back in this same message.. no worries I'll have the camera ready).

Fruitcake & Cheese Bars are fresher than the SA-4 BUT I think they have spoiled they smell so "Fruity" from the fruitcake but I also smell some rancidity.

Gum is fine as always.

No water purification tabs..!

I feel it is not as effective as the SA-4 and certainly not as effective as the SA-3 (Well.. call it a bias but any Ration with smokes is just the coolest to me.. here is an old post I made on MREinfo back in 05' about my idea of Cigarettes in modern MRE's: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9 )


Going to test the Chocolate now. Be right back..!


Ok... that didn't go so well.

Oh man what a shame. Chocolate bars went rancid. It looked so good, but tasted so evil. (as cavguy once said.. hehe)

Ok, photos are coming right up - will send out a preview now and will update ASAP!

Thanks as always for looking guys!

[steve1989]

Best part about opening this sa-6 is i have the oldest creamer packet that appears 100% untouched by any degredation. Also, the Nescafe teas and the Coffee are still good.
I will be taste testing and photographing all of them except 1 Nescafe that i'm saving.

I will be uploading extensive photos of this specific Ration.


Hey Norton, if you go on ebay and type in: food packet, go to newly listed, there's an RAF flight rat on there now. I'm strapped for $ this month so i'm passing on it sadly.

I would love to acquire & document any nation's survival rations from any era!

As the months & years go by, i can promise i will be finding them and sharing them with the world via media. it's an important part of history.

[steve1989]

Mote pictures,

Again, this SA-6 was pretty fresh considering it's age, i would guess that the fruitcake expired maybe only a decade ago. It had a pungent odor, strong of fruit - i've opened about 6 or 7 different old survival rations, they all had varying degrees of that old sweet & "fruity" rancid smell.
This one smelled more "normal" and less rancid than most of the others i've opened.


Ok, Carol just made me dinner - i should seriously be showing this magnificent pasta, mixed veggie, & chicken dish she made. Certainly beats an sa-6!

Be back with more pics soon!

[steve1989]

At work but that doesn't mean i can't post a pew more pics of that sa-6.

[steve1989]

Upcoming thread: 4 generations of Food Packet, Survival, General Purpose. An analysis of the progression and improvements. A detailed comparison. Should have this thread ready very soon.

[steve1989]

I have no idea why these photos show up upside down, just click and let em load and they should be ok.



Here's some preview pics to the large photo set I did on one of my SA-3's.
Oh, just got an SA-5 2 weeks ago so that's next.

I have a full set of photos for my SA-3, and 3 sealed ones left.

I feel like I did an inferior set for the SA-3 but then again I feel my SA-6 coulda gone better too.
I have to resist rationalizing and opening another SA-3 just to get "better" pics or do some video. It's not necessary. Although I have seen another person open one of these and sell contents of it off ebay recently and the guy whom I got mine from opened 2 of them to show contents as an example but he had a sealed case of 24 or something. Gosh I wish I coulda gotten the case. His SN was highwayman911.

[parafireboy]

Great review and pics Steve! What a great addition to your collection. It also got me thinking about survival rations again and how I need to renew my hunt for an intact D ration from WW2. Good job again!

[steve1989]

Thank you, parafireboy! I have a really great time sharing my experiences of opening, photographing, and occasionally taste testing the oldies. Plus, if anyone ever gets tempted to open theirs to "see what's inside" maybe if I open one of mine and share, it may allow others to keep their specimens intact!

Oh boy, those D Ration Bars from WW2 era can go fro some $ nowadays, I am still looking for one that isn't costing a kidney & a leg hehe

Yep, I still have 2 SA-3's left, originally had 5, a couple went out to 2 very important and well respected collections. I always have my eye out for these kindof awesome items - fascinating to just about anyone who manages to see them.