R
Rev Round
Guest
The tin opener? My favourite piece of equipment. Often forgotten though. 
Ahhh, yes.
Do they still have the P-38 (that is the right designation?) can openers in the 57th Century?
Though, I suppose the Swiss Army (or IISS) Knife probably still has one on it...
Do they still have the P-38 (that is the right designation?) can openers in the 57th Century?
Though, I suppose the Swiss Army (or IISS) Knife probably still has one on it...
Major B
SOC-14 1K
No matter what TL it is, every soldier should have the dubious privelege of opening some form of container, peering inside, and thinking immediately "what the hell is that" followed by "do they really expect me to eat this?"
And Magnus, it is a P-38. I still carry one on my key chain, just in case.
And Magnus, it is a P-38. I still carry one on my key chain, just in case.
Gray Lensman
SOC-13
I still got mine
I still have the first one ever handed to me (March 1980) on my keychain. Actually used the corner of it to turn some tiny screws the other day.
Course these days meals are bagged not canned (And much better I might add).
I still have the first one ever handed to me (March 1980) on my keychain. Actually used the corner of it to turn some tiny screws the other day.
Course these days meals are bagged not canned (And much better I might add).
Thanks.
EDIT: Member number 4 of the P-38 Club.
Thought so, rock on, I still remember. Oh, and I too have one floating about on a ring too.
EDIT: Member number 4 of the P-38 Club.
Works for me.
We need a new Number Six.
Works for me Number Four, I can be the new Number Two...
We need a new Number Six.
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Works for me Number Four, I can be the new Number Two...
We need a new Number Six.
Wait a sec, let me roll the shiney... oooh shiney...
...where was I? Oh yeah, rolling The Shiney Traveller Die!
Nope, not Six. Guess I'm Number... One
o: (dice don't lie, 'specially The Shiney Traveller Die)Now I have to go hunting through boxes to find my tin opener (more like the Aussie version). It was with the little used and long unused camping stuff last I saw it... somewhere in the basement, maybe. Somebody else can be Number One until I find it...
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
From the story Dave I hope you didn't take my civilian interloping to mean I was part of the P38 (or P51, or any related military) club
Just messing around. I picked mine up at a neat little hole in the wall military surplus place I used to check out for all kinds of handy and/or neat stuff.
For what it's worth I was this || close to being in the service but the snafus during my pre-enlistment interview inspired zero (maybe even negative) confidence in joining up. Up until then I was set on joining. Regrets? Yeah, I guess, one always wonders about the path not taken. But it was like a scene out of some bad movie, I just couldn't see being part of something that screwed up.
Just messing around. I picked mine up at a neat little hole in the wall military surplus place I used to check out for all kinds of handy and/or neat stuff.
For what it's worth I was this || close to being in the service but the snafus during my pre-enlistment interview inspired zero (maybe even negative) confidence in joining up. Up until then I was set on joining. Regrets? Yeah, I guess, one always wonders about the path not taken. But it was like a scene out of some bad movie, I just couldn't see being part of something that screwed up.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
I've had one on my key ring since high school (grad 1980).
Of course, I got it from the case of C-rats we consumed on a field exercise (Utah H.S. have ROTC units... mine was Army).
Yep... high school ROTC... with rifle team (shooting, against other HS teams), exhibition drill (with arms - Springfield M1903A3) team, Ranger platoon... you get the picture.
Spent weekends with various National Guard, Reserve, and active units doing training.
That got me a promotion entering boot camp... then 8 years USMC.
The USAF HS ROTC unit from a neighboring HS had little folding boy-scout can-openers... with the wheel & handle... wimps.
Of course, I got it from the case of C-rats we consumed on a field exercise (Utah H.S. have ROTC units... mine was Army).
Yep... high school ROTC... with rifle team (shooting, against other HS teams), exhibition drill (with arms - Springfield M1903A3) team, Ranger platoon... you get the picture.
Spent weekends with various National Guard, Reserve, and active units doing training.
That got me a promotion entering boot camp... then 8 years USMC.
The USAF HS ROTC unit from a neighboring HS had little folding boy-scout can-openers... with the wheel & handle... wimps.
Gray Lensman
SOC-13
The bad
Had been using the P38 alot during 1 week in the field. Turned out we had to do our own mess but HQ had order meals as if we would have cooks. Our poor P38's were getting loose from use. Late one night during a partol, upon 'getting down quickly' a sharp pain hit me square in the chest bone. Started bleeding slightly. Nothing major other than trying not to yell out as it cut. The P38 had opened up and the point cut my skin and left a good size bruise. No scar but boy it sure hurt. Not as bad as the bad jokes later.
Maybe thats why you don't carry them on your dog tags ROFL!
Proud Member #5 of the P-38 Club
R
Rev Round
Guest
Ok. I was in the Cub Scouts... Dib Dib Dob Dob lol
What about those containers called tetra packs? what do you use to open them?
(Does any company/business salvage and recycle the materials?)
I think I know what a p-38 is now.
Does a Dosenöffner Wanderfreund count for membership?
What about those containers called tetra packs? what do you use to open them?
(Does any company/business salvage and recycle the materials?)
I think I know what a p-38 is now.
Does a Dosenöffner Wanderfreund count for membership?
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ThunderChilde
SOC-13
No military service, but recieved my first P-38 at age 12 from the C rats we carried camping. Scout master and all 3 assistants were ex-marines, all combat vets too. We camped, hiked and trained more than any other troop in the council. Hiked 18 miles, full kit, to our favoured camping area 10 months out of the year. Always had the furthest out camp at Summer Camp. Never missed a winter event. Had night hikes, observation training, built traps, etc. Hated it at times, but stayed in till I was 18.
I carry a good first aid kit, a blanket, 2 #10 cans and pedestal candle, a good knife, small survival kit and a P-38 in my car at all times. I stopped carrying one in person a few years ago when my carry one broke under hard expedient usage. If I find another one I'll carry again.
I carry a good first aid kit, a blanket, 2 #10 cans and pedestal candle, a good knife, small survival kit and a P-38 in my car at all times. I stopped carrying one in person a few years ago when my carry one broke under hard expedient usage. If I find another one I'll carry again.
F
Fersboo
Guest
You guys are making me feel like a youngster. I know what a P-38 is, how to use it, owned a few, but it wasn't really necessary to own when I served. However, I still know the recipe for a Ranger cookie* and remember never to store pogie bait or cigs in the vent for the Bradleys main gun as you never know when the sob gunner is going to dry fire the 30mm.
*Ranger cookie
Open MRE, remove non-dairy creamer and sugar packets.
Carefully open non-dairy creamer packet for re-use, add sugar, add water.
Mix with finger and re-seal non-dairy creamer packet.
Place on hummer engine block.
Remove from engine, remove from wrapper and digest.
(Of course the remove from wrapper instruction was included so no Rangers would digest the foil from the wrapper :rofl: )
*Ranger cookie
Open MRE, remove non-dairy creamer and sugar packets.
Carefully open non-dairy creamer packet for re-use, add sugar, add water.
Mix with finger and re-seal non-dairy creamer packet.
Place on hummer engine block.
Remove from engine, remove from wrapper and digest.
(Of course the remove from wrapper instruction was included so no Rangers would digest the foil from the wrapper :rofl: )
Major B
SOC-14 1K
No one ever told me not to eat the wrapper.... Good idea!
Then again, in Ranger school no one took the time to do any such foolishness. Anything not fast enough to get away was eaten immediately!
Quick war story - my ruck burned in jumping into the desert phase and the turkey a la king in the top flap exploded on impact. When I found the ruck, I actually licked every bit of food-related debris from the inside of the ruck flap pocket that I could get, because I wasn't going into the phase short a meal. Funny, it seemed perfectly reasonable at the time.
One recommended change - the rear grill on the M1 is a much better heat source than the HMMWV, as long as the driver knows you're back there and doesn't gun the engine.
Then again, in Ranger school no one took the time to do any such foolishness. Anything not fast enough to get away was eaten immediately!
Quick war story - my ruck burned in jumping into the desert phase and the turkey a la king in the top flap exploded on impact. When I found the ruck, I actually licked every bit of food-related debris from the inside of the ruck flap pocket that I could get, because I wasn't going into the phase short a meal. Funny, it seemed perfectly reasonable at the time.
One recommended change - the rear grill on the M1 is a much better heat source than the HMMWV, as long as the driver knows you're back there and doesn't gun the engine.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Ohhh... I like yours better... opens those beers better!
But you have to "customize" it to put it on a keyring (my preference) or dog-tag chain.
http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml
P-51 & P-38
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R
Rev Round
Guest
Yes thanks I was momentarily bamboozled at how a Mustang or a Lightning could possibly be worn round the neck...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_Lightning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51_Mustang
....................................
Dosen means can and öffner means opener so I have just been instructed by my multilingual advisor. And yes that's my one. It lives in my wallet. (the can opener I mean)
Dave Chase you fell on your aeroplane?!?!? Must have been dark.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_Lightning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51_Mustang
....................................
Dosen means can and öffner means opener so I have just been instructed by my multilingual advisor. And yes that's my one. It lives in my wallet. (the can opener I mean)
Dave Chase you fell on your aeroplane?!?!? Must have been dark.
Madarin Dude
SOC-13
P-38 is obvious
That is quite obvious the P-38 you put your head thru the hole between the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer.
That is quite obvious the P-38 you put your head thru the hole between the fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer.
Peter Schutze
SOC-12
we must be more civilised "down under"
our equivalent opener back in the late 80's had a rounded end that made a very useful "spoon"
also extemely useful for field expedient mods to bad boots .... duct tape one inside each bootheel to stop it rubbing your achilles tendons raw !
my corporal told me that trick when he saw my bloody socks on "foot inspection" 4 days into endurance / patrol training exercise
our equivalent opener back in the late 80's had a rounded end that made a very useful "spoon"
also extemely useful for field expedient mods to bad boots .... duct tape one inside each bootheel to stop it rubbing your achilles tendons raw !
my corporal told me that trick when he saw my bloody socks on "foot inspection" 4 days into endurance / patrol training exercise
R
Rev Round
Guest
Excellent tip. That calls for a serious design for the job. I'm curious as to how that worked? The physical function and any negative side effects? Did it work like a polished metal heel cap reducing friction? The shoe horn for easing shoes on comes to mind thinking about it. Or am I going down the wrong road as it were?
Maybe it worked as a spacer moving the heel forward so the tendon was away from the boot?
But anyway duct tape... Yet more equipment for the locker... Very useful. Not so easy to fit in my wallet but then again the wallet could be made of duct tape!
Maybe it worked as a spacer moving the heel forward so the tendon was away from the boot?
But anyway duct tape... Yet more equipment for the locker... Very useful. Not so easy to fit in my wallet but then again the wallet could be made of duct tape!
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Duct tape, or the drab version, "100 m.p.h. tape," can be re-rolled flat, such that a square about a half inch think will give you a couple of feet. A worthy addition to the cargo pocket, along with a few meters of parachute cord.
The question is what do these look like at TL12?
The question is what do these look like at TL12?
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