Tag Picture Quiz (2019 edition)

[Jakko]

It does a bit, but that’s not what it is.

 

[Jakko]

Nobody? Here’s a picture of something that came with the armour when it was newly issued:

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Is this the Ranger Body Armour designed for the US army 75th Ranger Regiment?
Jon.

 

[Jakko]

No, that was mostly in woodland camo, I think. This is a bit older than that, and more general issue. Well, intended for more general issue, anyway.

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Is this made by Zunblindage? And are we looking at army or police issue.
Jon.

 

[Jakko]

This is military armour, made by manufacturer #10646 (I can’t read the name on the label in the photos of this particular vest).

 

[Lee W]

How about... Vietnam 1969 Variable Type Body Armor for Ground Troops?

Lee

 

[Jakko]

Here’s a photo of the box the armour in the photo came in:

(Source)

So yes, it’s Variable Body Armour. Your turn, Lee

Almost 20 years ago, I walked into the Army-Navy Store in Camden and saw one of these for sale, with the instruction booklet still attached, even. I would have bought it, except that I still had about two weeks of backpacking around the UK in front of me, and I didn’t exactly want to be loaded down with a piece of body armour. In retrospect, I should have bought it and mailed it home, of course, and I’m still kicking myself that I didn't I would by now have had three sets of body armour in my collection if I had, to complement my M69 and PASGT vests.

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Is that bottom line a date? 12-69​

Obviously this isn't the M69 vest so does this have a date and M number?​

Jon.​

 

[Lee W]

Thanks Jakko

Who would you be fighting for and in what war, if you wore this helmet?



Lee

 

[Jakko]

Is that bottom line a date? 12-69​

It looks like it, but OTOH I’d expect Americans to write it as 12/69. However, a production date of 1969 would certainly fit.

Obviously this isn't the M69 vest so does this have a date and M number?​

Not AFAIK. All I’ve ever read or seen about this vest has called it Five-Way Variable Body Armor, or some variation on that. I would expect there to be an M-number in the designation on the side of the box if it did have one. However, I’m under the impression that the US Army got away from M-numbers for personal armour after the M69 vest: the PASGT gear also doesn’t have any, according to the labels/stamps, anyway — for example, the helmet just calls itself a “PASGT HELMET - L” (or other size letter, of course).

 

[Jakko]

Who would you be fighting for and in what war, if you wore this helmet?

For the Spanish Republic in the Civil War, I think.

 

[Lee W]

For the Spanish Republic in the Civil War, I think.

Bien hecho señor!

This is the 1926 version of the Spanish 'lid'

Back to you Jakko

Lee

 

[Jakko]

I must say I didn’t recognise it as such, but on trying to find what it was, I found a photo of a different style of helmet with that same lug on the front, and that turned out to be Spanish. That gave a lead for a little more directed research, which turned up a photo of this model.



What type of tank is this?

 

[Lee W]

First thoughts were a T14 and second thoughts were an M6 but I'm not convincing myself?!

Lee

 

[Tim Marlow]

Almost something Churchill looking about the turret......

 

[Jakko]

It’s neither of the two, but Tim is slightly warmer than Lee

 

[Tim Marlow]

Black prince mock up?

 

[Lee W]

That's the A33 heavy assault tank

Lee

 

[Jakko]

It is the A33 Excelsior: