1948 B2 Unit

[Cortexmelon]

Opened up a 1948 B2 Unit to show to you guys today. This particular Era of B units hasn't to my knowledge ever been seen online, but I can always be wrong.

The contents were:
Jelly Bar
Compressed Granulated Sugar
Grape Jam
2? Crackers (they were a complete mess, can't 100% tell)
2 Soluble Coffee Product
Cookie (I got no clue on what flavor it is, sorry!)

I was in complete shock opening this, expecting for jam to be completely exploded all over inside. Turns out, this is a perfect example as you can get for a 71 year old B unit

Nothing was rancid, the coffee is still powder, but the cookie and crackers have been flavor tainted by the can, and now just have metallic taste. However, the cracker still had a saltine cracker like taste, but not worth eating at ALL lol. The jelly bar is hard as a rock, and didn't try anything else.

[SentientTootsieRoll]

Thanks for sharing some pics, this is pretty neat. I think the most impressive component is the sugar. I'm going to guess that's to go with the coffee, but I wonder if the texture of it is any different than what we are used to.

[Cortexmelon]

Thanks for sharing some pics, this is pretty neat. I think the most impressive component is the sugar. I'm going to guess that's to go with the coffee, but I wonder if the texture of it is any different than what we are used to.

From what little info I could find online on the web from when they started implementing a compressed sugar bar (kinda like the oatmeal cookie bar) into the K Rations in 1945, they melted away just like any normal sugar cube would apparently.

[ChowLine]

Really neat to see this ration opened up. I believe that this is the B-2 unit from the short lived "E" ration based on the date and markings style. I have a complete set in my collection and did a full write up on the ration on my FB page the ChowLine. Links are posted below if you want to know this history of this ration.

I do have one question, how many crackers. biscuits do you suppose were packed inside that B-2 unit? Also I would certainly be interested in acquiring the surviving internal components if possible for inclusion with my complete set.





Also, am I right to assume that this old e-bay listing preserved on worthpoint is you ration?
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 2017189514

[Tedster]

I'm impressed by the fact they include 3 gram packages of Coffee. Not one, but count 'em, Two of 'em. And enough sugar to run a small still.

By the time MCIs rolled around they were a single 2.5 gram pack. Now in the MRE they are a pathetic 2.2 grams (or less) and not even included in every meal. Have to rat$&@k a whole case pretty near to make up a cup of joe. Pathetic.

[ImTinkerbella]

Also, am I right to assume that this old e-bay listing preserved on worthpoint is you ration?
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 2017189514

Unless I am being completely obtuse (it wouldn't be the first time), it's curious to note that the pineapple jam was listed on eBay (a la Worthpoint) as a 1948 item given that the photo indicates a zip code printed on the lid, and zip codes weren't adopted until 1963.

Perhaps it was traveling around in Doc Brown's Delorean...

[Cortexmelon]

Also, am I right to assume that this old e-bay listing preserved on worthpoint is you ration?
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 2017189514

Unless I am being completely obtuse (it wouldn't be the first time), it's curious to note that the pineapple jam was listed on eBay (a la Worthpoint) as a 1948 item given that the photo indicates a zip code printed on the lid, and zip codes weren't adopted until 1963.

Perhaps it was traveling around in Doc Brown's Delorean...

The pineapple jam is a separate item that was listed with the main B Unit and is from a different time.

[ImTinkerbella]

The pineapple jam is a separate item that was listed with the main B Unit and is from a different time.

Ah... thank you, Cortexmelon. (Fun name, by the way.)