- The date printed on the case appears to be the production date, not an inspect/test date as on US and Canadian rations.
- They come in cases of 10, and each case appears to contain 10 of one menu (although they came to me mixed unproportionally this is what's indicated by the printing on the case) They must get mixed upon issuing to the individual soldier. Or perhaps they get a choice?
- The british love sweets! the one i've eaten so far came with six packets of sugar, each containing 2 teaspoons - as well as two large chocolate bars, one bag of candies and a packet of gum.
- The drink mixes make much more than their american or canadian counterparts. Each comes with enough cocoa powder for one pint of water, and enough beverage mix for one litre! Also included are 2 packets of instant coffee which taste much stronger than the taster's choice when made with the same amount of water. and 4 packets of "instant white tea" which is essentially instant tea with pre-measured whitener. It's not bad but one might expect a better tea out of the brits (I like to refer to it as Advanced Tea Substitute - anyone read or seen hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy?)
- During september of 2002 the packing plant seems to have suffered a shortage of Corned Beef Hash. All of the "D" menus that i've inspected seem to have sausage and beans for the breakfast entree instead. Or perhaps this could be attributed to the menu being changed around then but still using the old boxes, i'm not entirely sure.
- All the 2002 menus i have are packed with 2 solid chocolate bars made by Duncans of Scotland. The 2000/2001 menus seem to have 1 solid chocolate bar, and 1 chocolate bar w/ raisins and cereal. Perhaps another menu change?
- Occasionally the production date on the Pate is one year earlier than the production date on the rest of the components. Since the pate is canned i take this to mean is has a longer life expectancy.
That's what i've come up with so far - I'll post more as i get in deeper and take some pictures as time permits! Eventually i might also have some info to add on IMP's - i picked up a case recently. I have a lot of rations to eat now!
