Oldest gear in your armed forces

[fantassin]

To lighten up the mood of this sombre board, would the distinguished members of the general Discussion Forum share their experience on the oldest bit of kit they still (or are very happy) to have to use?

In France, some of the oldest bits of kits are (this list is just for starters...):

-the M2 HMG in .50 cal (non-modified, no QCB, no scope...)
-the "rangers" boots (1964 vintage...) and still the only type issued for ALL terrains
-the MAC 50 9 mm pistol (yes, 1950 vintage)
-the ANF1 MMG (1952 design)
-the Berliet GBC8KT trucks in the non-modified version (mid 60s)
-the Plastic Explosive (still using US ordnance 1 pound blocks from WW2!)
-the Alouette III helicopters, getting close to 40 years of age

The last Douglas DC-3 was withdrawn from French service in 1987, the last AD4 Skyraider in 1976 and they were WW2 vintage, non-modified GMC 2,5 tons trucks, 105 HM2 Howitzers and other historical pieces in use until the early 1990s.

As far as old planes are concerned, I know that in Europe the RAF wins hand down with their Canberras PR9 that entered service in 1949...

[Beowulf]

canteen....

[George W. Bush]

If it works don't fix it.

[von_Moo142]

the "rangers" boots (1964 vintage...) and still the only type issued for ALL terrains

Bloody Hell!

Is the smell not a problem? ;-)

[fantassin]

Actually, they work fine in the jungle, in Africa they are also OK but can be really HOT in the desert; in the winter they are very cold and like we say in the French army, they are water tight; once the water is in it, it never goes away...

The drawbacks are their weight, the noise of the buckles and their 0% technology design which does not make them an ideal running tool, far from it...strange when you think it's a copy of the US 1943 design that was itself a copy of German mountaineering shoes of the 1900s...

[Dalleer]

Hmm, we've got lots of it I'm afraid.

The M/62 BDU (been in use ever since the 60's)

T-55 tank (They could be considered as the secondary reserve these days)

The light AT-gun called "Musti" (95 S 58-61 RCL)

The M/62 metal helmet (since the 60's and still in use since we still don't have enough composite helmets to go around with)

The grey "field cap" (The original model was from the 30's or 40's but it still gets issued in some garrisons)


I'm sure Mustamato can remember even more.

[NcDeuce]

http://basic.armystudyguide.com/ctt/images/071-3218.gif

http://www.uscav.com/prodInfo/enlarged/23016L.jpg

http://www.uscav.com/prodInfo/enlarged/18353L.jpg

http://www.uscav.com/prodInfo/enlarged/22999L.jpg

:D

[-Max2-]

Here, its probably the Browning Hi-Power in service since...the 30s.

[Kampfhamster]

The oldest piece of equipment was a bicycle from 1916.
The second oldest are our WWII-M2 .50

[scm77]

Canadian Forces have the browning high power which has been used since 1944.

The .303 Lee Enfield rifle is still used, but only by the Canadian Rangers. Which is basically a bunch of guys in the north (Nothing like US Rangers).

The seaking helicopters have been around since the 1960's.

[fantassin]

The Staedler lumocolor...a classic of the real field leader....only problem is that the yellow for NBC zones never gets used !

[Colonel Flagg]

canteen....

My cups canteen has 1942 stamped on it...so that's 62 years.

I ate a rat pack that expired in 1999 last month...does that count?

[pAt]

Canadian Forces have the browning high power which has been used since 1944.

The .303 Lee Enfield rifle is still used, but only by the Canadian Rangers. Which is basically a bunch of guys in the north (Nothing like US Rangers).

The seaking helicopters have been around since the 1960's.

dude theres way more than that... mostly i say is the leopard tanks they were built during the cold war

[Backis]

http://w1.889.telia.com/~u88904453/Ceder%20pa%20skidor.jpg

Vita Blixten, or White Lightning in English.

They're WW2 era wooden skiis.

The surprising part? They're actually good! http://forum.daves-universe.com/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif


We retired our last old m/96 rifles just last summer... :(

Thats 1896!

http://www.northcapepubs.com/swfig2.jpg

Ceremonial duty only for the last 20 years... where we should have kept them. Looks much better when guarding the Royal Palace than the green AK5...

[IDFM203]

Interesting topic…….

I don’t know where to start, I mean the list is too long. I guess all one needs to undertand is that I come from a military that had ww2 Sherman’s on the battlefield as late as 1982, or where almost anything from that time or a bit later has been used till recently (if not still some are in use ;) ) and modified, and then even further modified and then even further modified etc… ;) to last waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay past its “expiration date”, well suffice to say that “old” for us has a whole new meaning ;)

Instead of going on a whole list of military equipment that the IDF uses (and besides some American stuff, there is a lot of old Russian equipment that are still in use today, albeit modified to serve other purposes), which a lot know already, that are still in use in the IDF or ones that are not but were in use up until recently, I will simply point out two interesting things that I personally used that were a bit “old”.

First is the actual M16 that I got in basic training, that I would bet saw actual combat in Vietnam ;) (and probably from the start of that war).

Second is the food in the field that I got that had a date stamped 1982 (I knew canned meat lasts, but I never knew THAT long ;) ).

Shalom :D

[AFACadet]

B-52

[2Sheds_Jackson]

B-52

1952
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-468/p373.jpg

2003
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b-52h-fairford-s.jpg


http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/upgrade.gif

Hell, it's still on its' first set of spark plugs...

[AFACadet]

heh,


Planned retirement date is sometime around 2040 +- a decade or two ;)

[FallenAngel]

heh,


Planned retirement date is sometime around 2040 +- a decade or two ;)

It will be surreal if the B-52 remains active to 90+ years. I don't think ANY aircraft has lasted that long as a combat aircraft.

Wouldn't the MG3 in the German Army be considered old considering the MG34 was basically the same thing minus some modifications over the years?

I think the oldest TYPE of equipment still issued today would be the combat knife/ bayonet. They have been issuing those since the late 1500s/ early 1600s. ;)

[ibstolidude]

that would be 11F5S or Tane, yes?

[Hullebullen]

Wouldn't the MG3 in the German Army be considered old considering the MG34 was basically the same thing minus some modifications over the years?


Not quite, it's descendant of the MG42, not the MG34...


I guess the Carl Gustaf M/45 SMG is like really old but I don't know if it's considered first-line equipment...

[Hullebullen]

...and the swedish mess-kit, "snuskburken" (filth box), is from around late late 19th century. I'm not sure on any exact date but it's damn old, that's for sure.

[James]

For ceremonial use, the USMC officers sword has been around since (if I remember correctly) 1805. The NCO sword has been around since about the end of the American Civil War.

When I was active duty with the USMC, we were still using the AN/PRC 77 radio in 1995. That technology was around 30 years old at the time.

[Dalleer]

...and the swedish mess-kit, "snuskburken" (filth box), is from around late late 19th century. I'm not sure on any exact date but it's damn old, that's for sure.

Heh, I've got a "Snuskburken" myself, and must say that it's one handy piece of kit.

[Hullebullen]

When I was in, many swedish units still used the Ra 145 (AN/PRC-25) and that was in 1998. Amazing that the military doesn't spend more money on a secure radio system. At least I think it's better to have a good and secure comm-system rather than spending money on merely fancy new individual equipment...

[Marmot1]

OK polish stuff (not used but held as a wartime reserve or wait's to be scraped or sold)

TT ver. 1933 (from WW2 or just post war)
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/tt33.jpg

Flare pistol 1944
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/psygn44.jpg

P 64 Pistol
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/p.64.jpg

Pm 63
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/pm63.jpg

DP ver 1928 (WW2)
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/karmaszdp.jpg

No idea..
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/karmaszd.jpg

S-75 Wołchow (actally modernized but construction from 50-60's
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/73/files/wolchow.jpg

BRDM-2 Used and modernized couple are in iraq... :-)
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/75/files/brdm.2.jpg

And this.. 60's?
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/81/files/kf.mdk2m.jpg

And we have ca.800 T-55 Merida for sale (withdrawn) anyone want some?

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

The PM 63 was a radical design when it first appeared.
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/pm63.jpg

[Marmot1]

The PM 63 was a radical design when it first appeared.
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/pm63.jpg

Well it don't fit well in hand and this folding front grip was very bad idea since it is very uncomfortable.

[jassemon]

Well, a friend of mine who started his service in January was issued a bandage made in 1931, that would be the oldest item I know to exist for real, and back in 2001 a guy in my company had a mess kit made in the early forties (can't remember the exact year, sorry). Of course, some of our instructors seemed to be from the 19th century :)

[mustamato]

...and the swedish mess-kit, "snuskburken" (filth box), is from around late late 19th century. I'm not sure on any exact date but it's damn old, that's for sure.

Actually it was used already during the Karolingian days in the 18th century
in almost the same shape as the one used today in Sweden, but it didn´t have the
heater then of course.

http://www.soldf.com/images/s_snuskburk1910.jpg
1910

[Maverick77]

Canadian Forces have the browning high power which has been used since 1944.

The .303 Lee Enfield rifle is still used, but only by the Canadian Rangers. Which is basically a bunch of guys in the north (Nothing like US Rangers).

The seaking helicopters have been around since the 1960's.

dude theres way more than that... mostly i say is the leopard tanks they were built during the cold war

people always say that but its bull****. The Canadian leopard is just a shell of the the real Leopard.

Many of the systems on it are some of the best in the world.

The Canadian Leopards face off agaisnt the Abrams every year.

and win most of the time.

[SR15]

1911

[SOG]

as fantassin and kahmpmeister said for there respecive forces i think the M2 .50 cal. Machine Gun or "ma deuce" is one of americas oldest still in use.

[Marmot1]

Well, a friend of mine who started his service in January was issued a bandage made in 1931, that would be the oldest item I know to exist for real, and back in 2001 a guy in my company had a mess kit made in the early forties (can't remember the exact year, sorry). Of course, some of our instructors seemed to be from the 19th century :)
Bandage from 1931 OMG they did not used them during war???

[elguapo]

I have a contender from the brazilian navy

U-17 Parnaiba for riverine operations

launched in 1937 but it has been updated several times

armed with 1 76mm, 2 40mm bofors L/70 and 6 oerlikons 20mm

http://www.mar.mil.br/imagens/U-17.jpg

http://www.naviosdeguerrabrasileiros.hpg.ig.com.br/P/P043/P043-f04.jpg

[mustamato]

http://www.livgardet.mil.se/images/local/drabant2.jpg

http://www.livgardet.mil.se/images/local/drabantv.jpg

Swedish drabanter, nowadays obviously only used for fancy stuff like parades,
state visits and so forth. Historically they were used during the 17th och 18th
century as the bodyguard of the King on the battlefield, they were all officers,
(kind of a SSG back in the days).

The uniforms used today is made of moose as they were back in the days,
and they were made about hundred years ago when the parade unit was set up.

_______________________________________

Another Swedish parade unit, 4th Squadron of the K1 regiment.

http://www.tatyglarna.nu/album/hogvaktsbilder_fran_linnea_clomen/aag.sized.jpg
And rifles from late 19th century...

http://www.tatyglarna.nu/album/hogvaktsbilder_fran_linnea_clomen/aan.sized.jpg

http://www.tatyglarna.nu/album/030530_anhorigdagen/aaw.sized.jpg

[MapleLeafInfantry]

My company seargent major

[MVSpartan117]

My company seargent major
rofl

[Mark Sman]

http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/constitution/sailsail.jpg
USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, is underway in Massachusetts Bay. Commissioned on Oct. 21, 1797, Constitution set sail unassisted for the first time in 116 years. U.S. Navy Photo by Journalist 2nd Class Todd Stevens
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/constitution/sail-pix.html




http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/constitution/s200-sal.jpg

[von_Moo142]

Well if ships are allowed then we have HMS Victory :-)


http://www.hms-victory.com/


HMS Victory is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, and is still manned by Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy. She is now the flagship of the Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command and lies in No 2 Dry Dock at Portsmouth Naval Base, Portsmouth. England.

Victory was designed by Thomas Slade, the Senior Surveyor of the Navy. Her keel was laid down in Chatham on 23 July 1759 and she was launched on 7 May 1765 but was not commissioned until 1778. This long period of weathering meant that the hull timbers were well seasoned, which is probably the main reason why she has survived so long. Once commissioned she became the most successful First Rate ship ever built.

Her excellent sailing qualities made her a very popular choice for use by Admirals as their flagship. Admirals Keppel, Kemperfelt, Howe and Jervis all used her prior to Admiral Lord Nelson when he was Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet. Even after the Battle of Trafalgar she continued her active career and was involved in two Baltic campaigns under Admiral Saumarez.



http://www.vkham.com/images/HMS%20Victory%20in%20PM.jpg.JPG

[EvanL]

In Canada we use an upgraded version of the North American Harvard for training purposes in Moose Jaw Sask.

[gilgoul]

Actually, they work fine in the jungle, in Africa they are also OK but can be really HOT in the desert; in the winter they are very cold and like we say in the French army, they are water tight; once the water is in it, it never goes away...

The drawbacks are their weight, the noise of the buckles and their 0% technology design which does not make them an ideal running tool, far from it...strange when you think it's a copy of the US 1943 design that was itself a copy of German mountaineering shoes of the 1900s...

I still regret them, once your foot and them get used to each other, they are good for a long time. And you know the trick i`m sure for having "quiet" buckles.
As for the "waterproof" aspect, as far as I remember, nobody lied o me, the only piece of equipement that is 100% waterproof is your helmet :P
;)
Ok, then I have to admit that after fetting my first pair of jungle boots (we met some Navy personels in Regina, and I got a deal, a pack of antartica and a stpid bet for a pair of boots) I saw what was the delight of a rich army.
But t the end of the day, if I was still in the french military, I would rather see the brelage and canteen ( I used a US one) change for a real vest like gear (after you tried the EPHOD, you can`t go back to the old webbing)

[gilgoul]

Interesting topic…….

I don’t know where to start, I mean the list is too long. I guess all one needs to undertand is that I come from a military that had ww2 Sherman’s on the battlefield as late as 1982, or where almost anything from that time or a bit later has been used till recently (if not still some are in use ;) ) and modified, and then even further modified and then even further modified etc… ;) to last waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay past its “expiration date”, well suffice to say that “old” for us has a whole new meaning ;)

Instead of going on a whole list of military equipment that the IDF uses (and besides some American stuff, there is a lot of old Russian equipment that are still in use today, albeit modified to serve other purposes), which a lot know already, that are still in use in the IDF or ones that are not but were in use up until recently, I will simply point out two interesting things that I personally used that were a bit “old”.

First is the actual M16 that I got in basic training, that I would bet saw actual combat in Vietnam ;) (and probably from the start of that war).

Second is the food in the field that I got that had a date stamped 1982 (I knew canned meat lasts, but I never knew THAT long ;) ).

Shalom :D


During basic training, we had a guy completely equiped with mandat era webbing and pouches, and, poor guy, a american steel helmet that looked like the one in saving private Ryan.
The police and MACHAZ still use the USM1 carbine, you still see a bunch of UZI s from the 50 s and I would be surprised to see some ww2 M2 halftracks still in OP

[fantassin]

There are still "FM 24-29" light machine guns in service with the territorial units of the Gendarmerie in France.

Yes, they were initially produced in 1924 and modified in 1929 for the use of the 7,5 mm round type C....

There are also some MAT49 SMG (initially produced in 1949 for the first batches) in the Gendarmerie but they very rarely come out now and they should soon be replaced by HK UMPs.

[sierraone]

When I joined the greek army in 1985 I was issued an M1 Garand. It was phased out in 1986 for the G3A3/A4. Also M1 steel helmet which has been replaced in most units for kevlar stuff and the M1911A1 pistol was still operational in the 1990's. Until 1987 we had M47s in the Armour Corps.

[Elmo]

Well, BTR-50...nowadays equipped with signals equipment.

"Ok, let's move this station to N 6715 E 5430 with the battallion HQ....if the engine starts."

"Well, the battallion left without us. Hope they can cope with just radios...hey Ltn, make sure food still arrives in these coordinates, will ya? Oh, and some gasoline for the generator so we can watch TV."

"Sure thing Sgt. I called the maintenance squad. They'll be here after they finish with the 2 BTR's attached to Brigade HQ..."

War (even simulated) is hell.

[jassemon]

"Well, the battallion left without us. Hope they can cope with just radios...hey Ltn, make sure food still arrives in these coordinates, will ya? Oh, and some gasoline for the generator so we can watch TV."

:lol:

[Herrmannek]

The PM 63 was a radical design when it first appeared.
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/pm63.jpg

Well it don't fit well in hand and this folding front grip was very bad idea since it is very uncomfortable.

Na, it fits quite well and over all it is quite good gun(esspecialy for it's times), but this is not gun for unaware users:
-Be carefull for aiming eye, gun has overbarrel lock like in pistols so frame is moving back and forth, this also can be flaw when try to aim in burst mode(fire mode selector is in trigger) because sights are moving with the lock...
-When holding opened foregrip, hold in the way, big finger doesn't rest on lock because you can crack it(finger), and bad thing about that is wrong holding method is natural for some shooters.
-in version without spoon/gas reflector(this thing on the right end of lock ) you can even shoot off your finger :)

Question to the REMOV: If version without spoon is factory modification or made by armory gunsmiths?

[Ice14]

AK's have been around since early 50's with no design changes. USMC MEU's use old 1911's that are modified, but only slightly.

As for Canada... SeaKings are bloody old but still operating, and we still use Browning HP's in some theaters (but are upgrading to the Sig 226). Other than that I say most of the stuff is up to date.

Oh yah... C-130, old and still one of the most used transports worldwide.

[Sabre]

http://www.tatyglarna.nu/album/hogvaktsbilder_fran_linnea_clomen/aan.sized.jpg

Cool, I've been there! You've got to love Stockholm!

[IDFM203]

When I was active duty with the USMC, we were still using the AN/PRC 77 radio in 1995. That technology was around 30 years old at the time.Yep and that is still in use in the IDF

Of course there are other and newer handheld/manpacks radios that have since been introduced and are in use in all front line infantry combat units and in fact a lot of those products are from a very good Israeli company called Tadiran (http://www.tadiran-com.co.il/), but yes indeed, in a lot of units (and certainly in rear and reserve units) you can still find the AN/PRC 77 to be very prevalent.





During basic training, we had a guy completely equiped with mandat era webbing and pouches, and, poor guy, a american steel helmet that looked like the one in saving private Ryan.
The police and MACHAZ still use the USM1 carbine, you still see a bunch of UZI s from the 50 s and I would be surprised to see some ww2 M2 halftracks still in OP Believe me buddy, what we have listed was the tip of the iceburg ;) ….hell I mean besides my Sherman tank comment before, we haven’t even touched on what they use in “shiryon” and in “heyl Totchanim” or even in “heyl Havir”…etc…. :D

As for halftracks yes they are still in use, hell even the M151 Jeep is still in operational use (in the reserves).

Shalom :D

[HELEX]

The oldest Gear in the Army was my G3 in the Boot camp ;)

[Rnagerrick]

How about the Austrians step down from camo to OD

[Kampfhamster]

Another really old thing in the swiss army is the "Pullover 54" first issued 1954. I really hate that piece of crap. Wore it once and bought a german army pullover, which is way better.

[Ian H]

Does Norway still have M-24's? I'm sure I saw a picture of one from the early 90's.

[Russian Texan]

The oldest Gear in the Army was my G3 in the Boot camp ;)

Uh....German kindergardens have a boot camp in them? Wow, and I thought my childhood was rough....







Boy, am I in the mood today or what? :lol:

[fantassin]

Last time somebody called a German unit "the baby division", it was the Canadian mocking the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend and the time was July 1944.

It then took the Canadians several days to seize the Caen Carpiquet airport even though there was a Canadian division against the remains of a couple of mauled battalions....

[fantassin]

The question still stands !


http://www.aeroweb-fr.net/photos-avions/sources/45.jpg


The Nord 262, another old piece of kit still in service in the French armed forces....

[RGRBOX]

Have to say the M2 50 Cal and the 1911 Colt 45

[Bugalugs]

My browning pistol

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/936/15959321qx.jpg

I win!!!!

[Bugalugs]

How do I delete my last post?

i may have inadvertently prompted a small pacific island somewhere to invade Australia! rofl

[JTAR7242]

The oldest could be said to be the M1911 pistol, but most models still in use weren't made that long ago, and only the USMC still uses them officially AFAIK. The other would be the M2HB .50 cal machinegun, in use by all four services.

[Laworkerbee]

My browning pistol

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/936/15959321qx.jpg

I win!!!!

WOW the hammer must cut your hand up every time you shoot it, thats an old 1911. I guess it's cool that you keep it that way for old times sakes

[Laworkerbee]

Oops my bad I did'nt realise it was a Browning Hi-Power :cantbeli:

[LeMat]

OK polish stuff (not used but held as a wartime reserve or wait's to be scraped or sold)

No idea..
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/72/files/karmaszd.jpg


This is russian RPD machine gun - made just after the WWII. Also known as RKM D. Uses 7,62x39 ammo.



And this.. 60's?
http://www.mon.gov.pl/auths/81/files/kf.mdk2m.jpg


This one looks ancient but I heard that no one modern vehicle can compare to this monster.

Also we have PPS and PPSH submachine guns (not in use but they are waiting for war). :)

[5jumpchump]

P-38 can opener ! woot

[Para]

The 9mm Browning Pistol which is about 1908 design.

[Para]

I forgot HMS Victory is still on the Admiralty list of warships and that dates to about 1767.

[0341]

My company seargent major


didnt know coy have sgt maj.ithought they only have 1st sgt

[RGRBOX]

P-38 can opener ! woot

HA! Ha! I saw one of those things attack a can of peaches one time, the out come was a happy soldier... :lol:

[fantassin]

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/romain.g/mirage4.jpg

The Mirage IVP strategic recon aircraft, to be retired this year, after about 40 years in front line duty.

[DeltaWhisky58]

I know that in Europe the RAF wins hand down with their Canberras PR9 that entered service in 1949...

Not quite - although the canberra first flew way back when, the PR9 variant didn't reach service until the 1960s.

[DeltaWhisky58]

My browning pistol

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/936/15959321qx.jpg

I win!!!!

No, sorry! Unless the hammer has been replaced, that is no older then the mid-1970s.

[digrar]

When I was active duty with the USMC, we were still using the AN/PRC 77 radio in 1995. That technology was around 30 years old at the time.

I was trained up on the 77 set, didn't see them in the Battalions after about 97, but they did spring up at range controll every now and then.

http://img205.exs.cx/img205/1159/p00822js.jpg
We call them a FRED or fvcking ridiculous eating device, I'm not sure of their age but they've been around a while.

[fantassin]

http://www.gunsworld.com/french/graphs/mas50.jpg


Since we are talking pistols...here is the MAC50, the French army's standard handgun since, you guessed it, 1950.

No replacement in sight...(SF units of course have other types, HK USP, SIG228, Glock 19...)

[Flagg]

When I was active duty with the USMC, we were still using the AN/PRC 77 radio in 1995. That technology was around 30 years old at the time.

I was trained up on the 77 set, didn't see them in the Battalions after about 97, but they did spring up at range controll every now and then.

http://img205.exs.cx/img205/1159/p00822js.jpg
We call them a FRED or fvcking ridiculous eating device, I'm not sure of their age but they've been around a while.

Got to play with a pair of PRiCk sets a few weeks back as temporary company Sig.

Even with the 10 foot whip the range was less than that of a thrown rock with an attacked note. ;)

The oldest bit of PERSONAL kit I have is a cups canteen from the 1940's.

[fantassin]

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/album70/alr.jpg


The trusted M2, here on the range with French paratroopers from the 3°RPIMa.

Unfortunately, the French army still hasn't purchased the QCB kits or any aiming system for the M2s. They really are vintage....

[sp2c]

the rifleman
http://www.landmacht.nl/300-wereldwijd/360/362/img/15-diemaco.jpg

if that doesn't count I'd go for the browning .50 machinegun (1950) and after that the Alouette 3 (2 still in service since 1963 I believe, they fly the queen around woot )
http://www.venz-online.nl/photo/helicopters/lal3_8.jpg

[fantassin]

http://www.netmarine.net/aero/aeronefs/alouette/photo08.jpg

true, I had forgotten about the Alouette III; they should be withdrawn from Navy service this year but the Gendarmerie thinks there is no better helo for high mountain rescue and they hang on to them.

They should be replaced by EC-135.

http://helimat4.free.fr/2003B/pob/SA319B_2009_JBL_2.jpg

[sp2c]

[img]
true, I had forgotten about the Alouette III; they should be withdrawn from Navy service this year but the Gendarmerie thinks there is no better helo for high mountain rescue and they hang on to them.

that's because it's extremely difficult for them to break down and when they do it takes about 5 seconds to fix them.

too bad the parts are getting so old (expensive) it's like a pig, it may be ugly and dirty but there is no substitute for hamburgers woot


They should be replaced by EC-135.

sweeeeeeeeeeet :)

the way our government is going they probably won't replace them at all they seem to believe that light utility helicopters aren't needed or something ... in the end they'll probably end up putting the royal family on police md902's

[fantassin]

The main complain about the Alouette III apart from the spare parts is the fuel; it guzzles fuel at an atrocious rate compared to more modern designs.

I know the Alouette III is also liked by US pilots flying in the high ranges of Colombia as contractors to the local police and army...

[OldRecon]

Does Norway still have M-24's? I'm sure I saw a picture of one from the early 90's.

Don't know now if they are still in use.
Think they were phased out in relation to one of the force reduction agreements following the Reykjavik conference and the fall of the Berlin wall (the CFE-agreement or something like that?).
The localy modified M-24 variant, the NM-116 "tank destroyer (M-24 with new diesel engine, laser range finder, French 90 mm gun, and immage intensifying night vision optics, was also phased out in relation to same disarmament agreement.
When I did basic in 87/88 both the NM-116 and the M-24 were still in service.
The NM-116 with the standing Army (Brig-N and ESK-Ø) and Army reserve, while the M-24 was in service with 1 or 2 units of the Home guard. Besides the M-24, the Home guard armoured units at the time were also equipped with WW-2 vintage White scout cars and Willys jeeps.

[sp2c]

http://www.venz-online.nl/photo/helicopters/lch-47_1.jpg

hasn't been in service in the Royal Netherlands airforce for that long yet (10 years) but she's well over 40 years old now :hug:

[fantassin]

Those Chinooks were bought from Canada, weren't they ?

[sp2c]

some, 7 were purchased second hand from Canada in 1993 and 6 were bought directly from Boeing they were delivered in 1998

the Canadian aircraft were upgraded to the same standard as the new ones (most importantly a glass cockpit and a selfdefence system).

[garoco]

The humble "clasp" knife in the Australian forces hasn't changed since *atleast* Gallipoli 1915. If I had my digi camera here I'd take a photo of one here lol.

[digrar]

Similar to this. I had one with 1977 stamped on it.

http://img148.exs.cx/img148/1198/lew71700open5hg.jpg

[LeMat]

Similar to this. I had one with 1977 stamped on it.

http://img148.exs.cx/img148/1198/lew71700open5hg.jpg

What is that lowest "blade"? Is it a kind of awl?

[digrar]

I can't think of the word off the top of my head but it's like an awl. It's handy for splicing rope.

[futurepilot2004]

Air Force: Probably the alouette 3s
Army: 1911 browning automatic

[USMC-Congbuster]

chow hall silverware

[Roger Rabbit]

http://img148.exs.cx/img148/1198/lew71700open5hg.jpg
I've seen these for sale for about £10 in a NAAFI

[Kaplanr]

I'm surprised no one's given a good real listing for the IDF to this point.

- C-47 Dakotas came out of active service and were sold 2-3 years ago.

- M2 50 calibre is still around, with a main assembly that says things like: Manufacured by Fisher Body Division of General Motors.
- M3 Halftracks still used for service work like hauling generators and mobile telephone banks.
- Mauser 98s are used for static rifles (props?) for reserves jump training.
- The Sherman stuff was true into the late 70s, then we gave some to the South Lebanese Army.
- Piper Super Cubs are still used for prelim flight quals.
- As late as early 80s, some reservists still had British soup-bowl helmet from WWII.
- A4 Skyhawks and Phantoms just phased out.
- Reservist webbing that is new manufacture of WWII British kit.
- some 1960 era Dodge Command Cars and Leyland Trucks in storage, but still on the rolls.

[USMC8541]

The USMC NCO sword. The oldest weapon, albeit now ceremonial, in continuous use among the armed forces of the U.S.

Noncommissioned officers of the Marine Corps are the only NCO's in any branch of the regular United States Armed Forces who still have the privilege of carrying what is considered to be a commissioned officers weapon.
http://www.militarysabers.com/images/01-157-1-marine-nco.jpg

[easyand]

I think that the older things in our army are M113s, HH3F, Atlantic ASW planes and off course the Browning 12.7mm

[RGRBOX]

I'm still waiting for some one to post a picture of a rock, as the oldest weapon in their countries arsenal. Speaking of which, if you get the chance to go to Crete. Go to Chania, there is a very good musium there telling the story of the German Invasion and the resistance during WW2. What I found interesting and very funny was there weapons displys from the armies that fought for control of the island. One disply was of the German Weapons, MP38, K98 etc... the British showed the standard Brit weapons, then there was the dispaly of the Greek Weapons, Sticks, rocks, pitch fork, etc... I was first shocked by the display, then I laughed my ass off...

[RGRBOX]

chow hall silverware

Chow hall food...

[fantassin]

http://www.renault4.plus.com/gallery/mypics/MPc/MP26c.jpg


The Renault 4 car used by the French army driving schools and as a light liaison vehicle...

[sierraone]

...then there was the dispaly of the Greek Weapons, Sticks, rocks, pitch fork, etc... I was first shocked by the display, then I laughed my ass off...

Maybe it wouldn't be as funny if you read that it was even the farmers that came out to fight the german paratroopers. They fought them with just anything they could get hold of.

[Jippo]

I had a 1943 spoon once. :)


-jippo

[fantassin]

http://liberation.39-45.club.fr/page/reportage/mesreportages/fondreportage/armeblanche/usm6milco1943.gif

The USM3 knife, in use in French airborne units until the mid 90s; still can be found in some armouries...if they haven't been stolen since they retail for at least 250 euros on the collector market.

[RGRBOX]

...then there was the dispaly of the Greek Weapons, Sticks, rocks, pitch fork, etc... I was first shocked by the display, then I laughed my ass off...

Maybe it wouldn't be as funny if you read that it was even the farmers that came out to fight the german paratroopers. They fought them with just anything they could get hold of.


For your info, I know quite well...Thanks for the reply though. Yea, I saw the painting of the Farmer's wife attacking the paratrooper with a pitch fork just as he was landing... :(

[RATKO]

http://elektron.tmf.bg.ac.yu/bojan/armor/spg/m-36/m-36b2_jackson_33.jpg
M36 Jakson

[shadower]

There is much ww2 weapons in Serbian army depos but i think this is the oldest thing in everiday use.
http://www.vj.yu/Jadran/en_index.htm

[shadower]

http://www.renault4.plus.com/gallery/mypics/MPc/MP26c.jpg


The Renault 4 car used by the French army driving schools and as a light liaison vehicle...
One time I fell out the Renault 4,we came into curb to fast I was on passenger seat door open and I fell out.And other thing we do with that car was to park it as close to edge of end of the parking lot or some incrised surface cliff or something going backwards, there was few accidents too.