1980's accessory packet B mini review & NATO/Euro gear day

[Norton]

We had a little snow up here today, so my son went out and set up a shelter made of 1950's Belgian NATO and Austrian Army shelter halves.

cooking on the Swedish alcohol stove in natural conditions

He made lunch of modern MRE Beef stew and British Chocolate Orange drink on Swedish Army Equipment
The drink was a gift from Steve 1989.. Thank you Steve

Great outdoors meal of beef stew and crackers

Hot Drink NATO style

English Hot Orange/Chocolate

hot chow NATO style

I drank U.S. MRE soup base and coffee from a 1970's Russian Army Mug. Also MRE Type I instant coffee from Swedish Army mug.

Accessory Pack B

Soup still good after all this time

Soup Base Gravy 1980's in Russian Army Mug

The beef stew has been reviewed so I will just say the British Chocolate/Orange hot drink was outstanding on a cold day. My son told me it tasted like a civilian drink. I had one sip and agreed it is a outstanding mix. Head and shoulders above 1970s/80s/90's cocoa powder. Tasted sort of like Christmas candy that has booze in the center. The candy you don't give kids.

Me I stayed outside the shelter and made vintage soup base, Coffee and tried the Chocolate fudge bar. This accessory pack had been out of the pouch since the 1980's when I kept it in field jacket pocket. So out of the brown bag for maybe 30 years.

The soup base tasted similar to fresh American Civilian Wyler's french onion soup mix. No funny taste, not stale , very good and better than Bullion cube. In fact I drank it all.
I did not get sick, in fact I felt great to have the hot soup in snow. I drank it in a vintage Russian Army Mug from Cold War 1970's They make good equipment simple and practically indestructible (Thank you Kremlin)

The MRE coffee on the other hand had sadly past if life. I did not use the creamer knowing from past experience that it gets oily as years roll by.
The coffee tasted like aluminium foil. I could not drink it. The Chocolate fudge bar was also past it's life. One bit and it was over. It had a sour taste. I had to get mouth
wash to remove the foul flavor.

fudge bar

Open after a bite

not good

But I was no worse for it. Drank a beer and all was well.. By the way the West German Jacket from the 1950's is a great piece of kit. I love it and my wife now has a good West German Flecktarn jacket from Late 1980's (I think). I enjoy getting all this stuff outside

all is well

[norge]

cool pictures

looks like you and Your son having fun eating out

Cheers from ken and erlend in norway

[housil]

Nice review and great pictures! I like the snow scene.

[steve1989]

This is a wonderful review, Norton!

You and your son are cool guys - I'll bet it would be a blast camping out with some of that authentic gear and MRE's with ya. Love the photos, and as always your bold taste tests on the oldies. Something I can certainly respect!
Now I am going to have to try one of my old MRE soup base packets!!
Rare occurrence when Type 1 Coffee goes bad - but it happens like 5% of the time. Bad luck - but if ya want, I got a few I can spare for you!
Chocolate Fudge bars never held up - I've yet to not have a spoiled one.. oh well! Wash it down with a brew and all is well!



Your son is following is his dad's footsteps and he looks like a great guy. I am not inspired to put together something for the both of you dudes to enjoy camping.


Thanks so much for another awesome review, Norton!

[parafireboy]

Great review and pics! It's great to see pics of rations being used in their natural element, the field!

[rattattoo]

Great review, and it was nice to see that Russian mug. Really great looking design. Love the handle lines. Is it heavier grade aluminum than you would expect?

[Norton]

Great review, and it was nice to see that Russian mug. Really great looking design. Love the handle lines. Is it heavier grade aluminum than you would expect?

Yes it is a thicker version of a old fashion Tin Camping mug. Very solid but still light, Actually I have been using it for both cold and hot drinks.
One of my favorite pieces of gear from the old days. But I still want a US Army mess hall Melmac Melamin or Bakelite coffee cup. I don't know if I would take it camping, but I would use it.

[rattattoo]

Great review, and it was nice to see that Russian mug. Really great looking design. Love the handle lines. Is it heavier grade aluminum than you would expect?

Yes it is a thicker version of a old fashion Tin Camping mug. Very solid but still light, Actually I have been using it for both cold and hot drinks.
One of my favorite pieces of gear from the old days. But I still want a US Army mess hall Melmac Melamin or Bakelite coffee cup. I don't know if I would take it camping, but I would use it.

If you ever see another, and it's not too terribly expensive, it could probably find a nice home In rural Maine... Actually, that's a pretty stupid thing to say. I've got more crap than I can possibly need, use, OR get rid of.
Remind me of this fact occasionally, would you guys?