C-3 Ration Korean War Era B-2 unit March 1952 DoP

[steve1989]

Here's an interesting one, I have 6 cans of ration components from the Korean War era. I wanted to open and share one with my beloved MREinfo community of pals and let you guys see something that hasn't been documented with such clear pixels and detail.

I'm sorry I sacrificed such a ration, but it sure is cool to share the photos with you guys and seal it in time on this awesome site.

I even tried one of the crackers - it was salty and kindof stale. Still edible after 64 years.

I think it's the third oldest thing I've ever eaten. Sadly, the 2012 harddrive got destroyed with my 1943 Hershey's Tropical Bar review and the 1950 Life Raft Tablet Ration.

So here we go - the Mother's cookie was like a modern Nutter-butter - it was stale and starting to go rancid.

The other cookie was also kinda rancid and not edible.

It's funny, I did these photos about 3 months ago, and everything is still on a tray and has not changed a bit since out of the can.
Maybe a good candidate for a glass display case?

If anyone has any more questions about this, lemme know!

Now for the pics:

[steve1989]

More pics!

[steve1989]

Just went and looked at the tray with these and like I said before - they haven't changed.. but they are starting to smell like chlorine or something

[steve1989]

Last Pic!

PS - do not worry guys, I am never opening these accessory packet cans with the cigarettes - we can see them in Mreheater72's accessory packet post here: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2625

Those things are gold in a can - going to try & trade them for something that I'm looking for ration-wise (and will probably be searching for eternity..!)


Hope you folks enjoyed the pics.


-Steve

[cavguy]

Cool pics! How was the caramel? Those chocolate disks the came in the latter MCI always look so good to me...

[steve1989]

Hey thanks Cavguy! The caramel nougat cookie was bitter & starting to go kinda rancid - don't think it was edible - I touched my tongue to it and it was just pure bitterness!

I think the only 'edible' thing in it were the 4 crackers.

[Norton]

That is very interesting, the crackers are still edible is impressive.

[Bypah]

That is very interesting, the crackers are still edible is impressive.

Back in 2002 when I was working in one of the high schools in the OKC metro area we dug out a Civil Defense metal can of crackers from the 60's from the bunker under the school.
Our school was designated as a fall out shelter and had a underground bunker with cases of food, candies, canned water, firts aid kits , geiger counters.You name it completely prepared and most of these items in pristine condition.
The bunker had two entrance hatches like a sub inside the school library. We decides to make a display so we sent some students of the ROTC program to get some items.
As I mentioned we took one of the metal cans of crackers and opened it. The can had a perfect seal and the contents were ok.
To make the story short I sacrificed myself and ate several of those 40+ year old crackers and they were awesome.
Very hard, salty and satisfying after washing them with some water....lol
And so far 12 years later I'm still alive...

Found this on the web. This is how those crackers looked like.

[steve1989]

Bypah, that is so awesome you took pictures of/ate old Civil Defense Crackers!! I have to pick up a can or 2 of these now knowing they are still edible..! Woohoo!

Thankyou for sharing! Nothin' gets me goin' like some really old food that is still edible..! heheh

ps - I absolutely love the "Fallout Shelter" sign.. too classy!

[Bypah]

Well stevie...
the pics I found them on the web. But I can tell you If you get one of those cans and when you open them you can hear the vaccum seal off. Then those crackers are good to go.