.Survival Shelters with Vintage U.S. Army Vietnam Era Poncho: Practical Tips & Techniques”
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- Hello friends and welcome back to the GROUND POUNDER SERIES!
In today’s video, I’ll be showcasing my vintage Vietnam U.S. Army poncho and demonstrating the survival shelters I create with it. This trusty poncho has been with me since the 1970s and is still going strong.
First, I’ll show you how to set up a simple lean-to for sleeping in rainy weather, providing maximum coverage. Next, I’ll demonstrate a narrow but deep setup that offers more headroom for sitting up and working on cooking or other projects.
I hope you enjoy the video! If you do, please share and subscribe. Until next time, safe journeys!
Vintage U.S. Army Poncho
Vietnam Era Poncho
Survival Shelters
Bushcraft Shelters
DIY Survival Gear
Rainy Weather Shelter
Lean-To Shelter
Outdoor Survival Tips
Camping with Military Surplus
Poncho Shelter Setup
Vintage Camping Gear
Military Poncho Uses
Bushcraft Techniques
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I had the rubber coated rip stop nylon poncho in 1973. I carried 2 so that one could be shelter and the other to wear on watch. Both of them disintegrated about 20 years ago. My jungle hammock disappeared about 25 years ago. The old air mattress let go at about the same time. Good Luck, Rick
Just picked up one of these this morning. Perfect timing lol. Couldn’t believe I found it at yard sale still in a canvas pouch and in pristine condition. Lady asked for three dollars for it. I paid her more but I still got it dirt cheap.
AS SOON AS YOU PULLED THE SURPRISE SHELTER OUT I realized why the Germans had their Heavy Poncho! Of course the Germans after ww2 were supplied by the USA. Then they did their in country development and production. I have about 6 of these german ponchos and they are identical to what you are showing! Bulletproof is an understatement for those German ponchos! Great Video!
We have this exactly ponchos still in the Greek army.
That poncho fabric looks like my Vietnam jungle hammock made in 1968 I found in at an old junk store back in the late 1990s in a box shipped to my hometown it had at least 25 postage stamps on the box lol it’s been taken care of and I still use it from time to time hell it’s still got the sewing repair kit in it with extra skeeter netting too lol they made things that lasted back then !
my go to shelter/poncho/ woobie+or wool blanket wrap me up in cold rain, snow sleet , you name it! I look forward to lousy cold weather just so I can just wrap up in this thing and be absolutely protected and warm in foul weather!
I've got 3 nice ponchos from Nam like that. Solid as can be. Hot to wear, but will never let you down!
You know what's just as good if you can't find a Vietnam era one Blackie, is an older West German "Bundeswehr" poncho.
Those things are built like a brick outhouse,are compatible with the US poncho, and are easy enough to find here in the States.
Be warned though, for some it might be a heavy son of a gun to tote around.
The rubber liner inside the top flap of my old alice pack started cracking an flaking off. I cleaned it as well as I could and sprayed it with black Flex Seal from Lowes. Works better than the original coating.
yes that does a real good job i need to redo a tarp of mine for the same reason
Yes sir. Bomb proof for sure. And I got one off e bay a few years ago still in the package.
Blackie, Thanks for sharing. I haven't seen one of those in years. Thanks Again Sir for sharing , we go to the woods to smooth it. God Bless Y'all.
That's the poncho I laid in the snow (in the desert I shit you not, mf-ing Ft. Bliss) in the 80s's to qualify with our M-16A1s....ultimately issued the nylon version, two of which I still have. Love my ponchos!
Yep, have had one for about 50 years just like my USMC issue. Heavy but extremely durable, of course I have been very protective of it.
Speaking of the lighter nylon coated one you mentioned that flaked off. I have one also and it did flacke so I washed it aggressively to get all the coating off and then did the silicone/mineral spirit coat and now that's my truck poncho. Heavy like the old one.
Pitched that issue poncho up in many a configuration but one thing about where and when I was there was no such thing as paracord or much of any kind of string. I salvaged bandalier web.
I am glad to hear that you’re from Alabama. My father was born in Birmingham, I lived by USS Steel by Pleasant Grove and dolomite, and also Pelham and alabaster. I’ve got relatives all over since my dad‘s mother and father had 24 brothers and sisters between them. I myself was born in Texas, at Fort Hood. I’m sorry to say I never served. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your time.
Flex seal, maybe. I sprayed the rubberized inner compartment on an ALICE ruck, and it worked. I haven't taken it out. As I use smaller bags/ packs.
Probaly works as I saw someone make a ground sheet buy coating it with flex seal. It became a copy of the old gum blanket.
If needing a temporary patch for rubberized fabrics, try several coats of rubber cement, which can be found at any office supply store; the more coats that are applied, the longer the patch lasts.
Got one, use too. I like the fun shots.😊
These ponchos are very similar to the British Army ‘58 pattern ponchos that were issued to troops up until the ‘90s when BASHAs (shelter sheet/tarp) and Goretex wet weather gear came in.
Heavier and totally bombproof, at a couple of pounds (1kg) each, I used two surplus 58s from the mid 80s until 2011 for backpacking. One was extra wet weather gear in downpours plus fairish weather shelter, two snapped together to make a fully enclosed tent like shelter in foul weather or on a camp site.
They wore out, so I replaced them with two genuine surplus USGI woodland camo ponchos because they weighed less (combined 1.2 kg) and were a more compact pack up. I still have and use them.
All these ponchos were manufactured to a NATO spec standard size with standard spaced double sided snap fasteners for soldiers to buddy up to make two man or larger shelters for NATO allied forces meet ups.
I'm always happy to hear what you have to say even if I never see one of those ponchos. The concept might come in handy in some other way anyhow 😊
Thank you Blackie..
Looks like a German military poncho.
I bought one of these in 1972 from an army navy store for $1. Used it a few times as a poncho but like you said in Georgia it proved to be to hot. It would up being my shelter for years. After awhile because of thin spots/holes it got relegated to a firewood cover. I used it for about 30 years. Hated to see it go.
It’s so cool to see the gear that you used back then! I love it! I wish I had saved more of the gear that I used in the seventies.
That's great, Blackie. Don't believe I've ever saw one of those heavy duty ponchos. That's cool that you still have one and it's still in great shape. 👍🏻👍🏻
I had one of those in 1974 to 1977 , the coating was always an issue .The Syl-nylon version they issued me when I re-enlisted in 1984 up until I Retire definitely tear easier but are much lighter to carry. I've still got a couple of the Syl-nylon version in my garage for camping .Unfortunately my Wife is now Handicapped so I don't get to get out anymore as I am now in my 70's.
That is one hell of a story, Blackie. Thanks for sharing.
There is an electrical brush on insulator that is flexible that may work to patch those pin holes.
goedenavond Blackie !!!!👍
I e got 1960s poncho rubberised canvas my fav kit
awesome
Intresting tarp for sure. THANKS 👍👍👍 🇨🇱
Show. Ganhou um novo inscrito. Parabéns pelo vídeo
Great Stuff. Thanks for sharing
Good video Blackie, thanks for sharing YAH bless !
Thanks Blackie😊
Thanks Blackie
I had several of those and always thought they were a bit bulky. However the one you mentioned with the silicone type liner were really bad. I like the new ones much better, especially the Marine Corps ones.
Thanks Blackie, I think I have 1 or 2 of those Vietnam era ponchos in my collection. When I heard you say it's been in storage a long time I couldn't help but wonder if it had that really bad smell that so many of those old ponchos have. Peeeyuuu
Try experimenting with rubber cement, which used to be sold as art/printing supplies. It acts as glue and/or sealant for lots of surfaces. I just have no experience with durability in outdoor settings.
❤
AND... the added bonus was they never smelled like vomit (chemical coating breaking down with age like the later light weight poncho). If anybody knows how to rid a poncho of that smell and leave the coating in place it would make a good video. I am going to pull mine out to check the condition. Thanks Blackie
I have a similar 1958 pattern 👍
303 Marine Aerospace Protectant is supposed to be really good. It's a little expensive in my opinion, but it will probably last a while if you're only using it once or twice a year on a poncho.
The old rubberised German army ponchos are the same super heavy but bullet proof.
THANKS BLACKIE 🙏🪖
I found one in a thrift store not too long ago. In with the shower curtains! Still in pristine condition. Ok, i have a big head, and can barely fit it through the neck opening. Too uncomfortable for me for that reason. But i’ll try it as a tarp sometime.
Blackie! Could you post the Poncho's label? (Noun Nomenclature, NSN, DLA, etc..) Greatly appreciated.
fact check, at 1:13 when Blackie makes the claim vinyl ponchos are bullet proof I believe he is being metaphorical. Vinyl poncho do NOT in fact stop bullets...
We used our shelter halves more than our ponchos
This is the poncho I have. But I'm 6'3" knees down your soaked. I hate that I carry frog toggs or gortex suit I love it. Rather have a tarp than a poncho anytime.
Hi Blackie, you asked about something to protect that poncho, look at 303 Aerospace Protectant , I use it on my kayak
Blackie, yea I did have one of those and yes very hot…
We had those same ponchos in the sixties, I was in Germany and except for two weeks every summer I seldom use it but even if it was a little cool the damn thing would make your sweat and soak you. I currently own two in camo pattern and would use them for ground mat or tent but to wear one, no thanks.
I haven't seen one of those ponchos since 1970.
Blackie that don;t go back to the Korea era i've got one from then and it's rubberized canvas!! and if you think that one gets hot!!!
What are you using as toggles?
Blackie, I'm gonna send you some money.The first of august for the new haversack that you got out
😀👍
do you ever do a video on how to clean your hat I'd really like to see that video Even hats are cleanable
😀👍✝️
These are available on ebay
That sure is bulletproof not a hole in it. With all that shooting going on.
Хлебнули парни бед во Вьетнаме, грязи, крови и лишений...✊
Кто-то вернулся с честью оттуда, а кто-то разрушенным, а кто-то вовсе неживым.😶
You are write they where better . I had 2 of them they both went up with my truck fire . I got 2 of the new ones they sux .
czcams.com/video/gdu_Gs_NsoI/video.html
WITH ALL THOSE GUN SHOTS , SHOULDNT YOU BE DIGGING A FOXHOLE ,,, ROLLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLL ,, SALUTE FROM A VET
Every VN Vet is laughing his butt off….you wouldn’t make it thur the night in a monsoon…!