Ration Review By Request :-)

Name_not_found · Post by **Name_not_found** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 2:57 pm

CR1M either version.

Ill do a PR1M to go with it

Yowie · Post by **Yowie** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:42 am

Hi all, it looks like CR1M Menu D wins.

This will be interesting as the first review I did was a Menu D last year

, however that one was manufactured nearly 10 years ago and this one was packed in 2010. It will be interesting to see what has changed over the last decade.

My big plan was to hike down Rainbow Beach and start my review. but it is currently pissing down here (not so bad as last years floods but) so as a preview.......

: My view from the balcony at Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Cold beer great views.

Lets have a look at this big boy.....

: That's a lot of food. like I said last time if you are not climbing hills or running around in a combat zone you will not be underfed.

I can see a few changes, two chocolate rations, the tuna pouch and an extra tea bag for starters.

The Tuna seems to have replaced the noodles, but there are a lot of beverages.

: Main meals, Chicken Italiano and Chilli Con Carne. Sounds good can't wait

: Oven dried Tomatoes and Basil Tuna, creamy chicken soup, condiments, canned two fruits sweet and savoury biscuits, and the infamous canned cheese (reputed to be responisble for the scratch and bite marks on the backs of toilet doors in barracks :-(

Something I have noticed with this newer model is that the packaging (apart from the main meals that are still retort packs) feels lighter and thinner than the older test model.

: Tea Coffee and a crap load of sugar :-)

: Two chocolate rations :-), Chocolate candy (apparently the ADF have to camoflage M &M's as well now?) Muesli bars x3 (cunningly called ration bars to confused slow witted enemy) and 2x hard candy lemon/ tangerine and spearmint (thank f#ck not musk again, trying to explain to all you guys what musk tastes like :roll: )

Too me it looks like an evolution as opposed to a revolution in rations.

Yowie · Post by **Yowie** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:54 am

Hit post a little too soon, but no harm done

here is the end of the preview

: Accesories, Modified spoon, chewing gum, matches, FRED zip lock bag, rubber bands, pre soaped scourer, plum jam, condensed milk vegemite and multi purpose paper napkins (shit tickets)

: New menu sheet

: Close up of menu D

All in all it looks like an evolution not a revolution. Like the US MRE's some change every now and then helps with variety and reduces boredom.

Bring on the sun tomorrow for the taste tests

Yowie · Post by **Yowie** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:51 am

Well my adventure weekend has been a washout (literally), South East Queensland has had record rainfall over the last week. No flooding like last year, but still a lot of rain ( some places have registered 100mm in an hour some days). So my weekend has been filled with drinking beer in various establishments in Rainbow Beach and watching the cricket and tennis.

however in the spirit of learning I decided to have a CR1M dinner tonight, just to set the scene
this is what Rainbow Beach looks like......

: Looking North

The gray blur in the middle of the picture on the horizon is Fraser Island, the world largest sand island. Great 4wd driving camping and hiking (just watch out for the dingo's

)

: Looking South

The blur you can see in the distance this time is Double Island Point, Great surfing diving and snorkeling. You can beach camp around from the point and there are some good hikes too. The biggest is the Great Ocean track that takes you all the way to Noosa Heads, a five day hike. I am planning to tackle that one later in the year, when it is cooler (and if it ever stops raining).

My plan was to hike about ten km's down towards Double island point for a days fishing surfing and rations but even the Bear Grylls and Steve Irwin in me could not be bothered in this weather

So here is dinner on the verandah of my hotel room........

: Creamy Chicken soup and Chicken Italiano. They seem to have dropped the low salt from the soups that were all over the older CR1M's

To give this some sense of adventure.......

: Cooking on my trusty camp stove with part of beer ration

: Open soup packet, smells like chicken soup and no chunks (but these are brand new CR1M's unlike the previous review)

: Mixing mixing mixing

: Taste test. This is good, nice flavour but the new spoon is not the greatest spoon for the job.

Soup is all done, time for the main course....

: Just saw this (bloody Americanisation of the world ;-) ) and does Australia manufacture anything anymore. Checked the website for the manufacturer and they have a great range of meals but only seem to sell to the military. I am going to email them to seen if they wil sell to the public because so far they have good stuff

: Opened, smells really good

: I can see chunks of chicken, tomatoes, small pasta shells and slices of celery.

Continued next post

Yowie · Post by **Yowie** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:02 am

Time for the all important taste test......
wow this is great, added a little pepper and thoroughly enjoyed this, the tomatoes and celery were firm not mushy. and the chicken was good, some of the larger chunks were a little chewy but the majority was shredded. Those of us who like it a bit spicier may have put some Tabasco or similar in but this was great as is

: I am very disappointed this is finished :-(

luis0449 · Post by **luis0449** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:38 am

mmmmm, it looks tasty. Thanks for sharing.

Luis0449

Treesuit · Post by **Treesuit** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:17 pm

I agree that the labeling on the main retort pouch looks more Americanized, especially with the tan color.

rationtin440 · Post by **rationtin440** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:57 pm

Great review, Yowie! One question though, are the CR1M and other rations restricted or can civilians in Australia have them? Also did you notice if the chocolate ration was fresh or crumbling?

Yowie · Post by **Yowie** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:37 am

Hi guys

Certainly looks that way doesn't it Treesuit

Officially civilians are not supposed to have access to rations, its all blackmarket Rationtin440. I haven't opened the chocolate yet, but will soon. If the last one was any indication, I would guess not. The first review was of an old (10 yrs) model and the chocolate looked fine, this one was only packed in 2010. Will post pics when tested along with the Chilli con Carne

rationtin440 · Post by **rationtin440** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:44 pm

Thanks for the info Yowie, I was afraid that was probably the case. Here in the U.S. you can get them at gun shows but you're on your own if you get sick and they are probably near the end of their shelf life. One thing about the CR1Mis it appears to have alot more snack stuff than our MREs.

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