Dutch Air Force (KLu) Webbing

Here is a thread to explore Dutch air force webbing, in blue canvas.

Ammunition Pouches

Basic type with leather closure:



Same as the M52 army type, but blue:



SMG:




Carbine:

Various Markings on Braces and Belts

M52 - identical to army type, except blue:


Possibly civil defence (BB = Bescherming Bevolking?) - this belt has no buckles for attaching braces at rear:


M52 type braces:

Packs

M52 type pukkel:



Pack support strap for M52 type ransel:

Unknown 'breadbag' in blue canvas - I have spotted these in some 1960s photographs of civil defence exercises. (I also have an identical example in army green.):

Canteens and Carriers

Early (M47?) carrier, after the British WE 37 sleeve type:



M52 type:

Respirator Carrier

For the K-type mask, dated 1967:

Belt for Trousers

Nice stuff, some quite rare things here.
The M52 pouches are almost never seen here, I just know of a shop in the south of the country that has heaps of the M47 pouches with leather tab closure.

Does the breadbag have any markings? I've also seen these as modern commercial things, and have never seen them in old photos, so any proof that they're actual issue is welcome.

Also good find on the p37 canteen carrier. Must be one of the last ones made since it's made in 52

Thanks.

Would the WE 37 type canteen carrier be considered part of the M47 equipment?

No markings on the 'bread' bag. But it pretty clearly shows up in black and white photos of a civil defence exercise in Amsterdam, from about 1968 or 1969. Take a look here:



I suspect that they are for first aid or other emergency supplies or tools.

That's possible, not sure if the M47 designation was actually named for a whole rig of gear, of just the pouches though.
And the pouch could be only for BB too, BB gear is about the same color as KLu stuff

I remember seeing someone here posting a green KLu marked belt some time ago too, questioning why it was green, was that also you?

It's probably because in the early 80's the M78 uniforms started to be move more to an actual green color. Before the M78 the uniforms were really grey, early M78's were grey too, but slightly different.
From about 1983 onwards lots of uniform parts are actually grey-green.
Last weekend I saw a shirt with a cardboard tag attached, even calling it jacket, field, green.

I've seen photos from even later, mid-90's, where a green belt is worn with a standard KL canteen.
So fieldgear probably went green during the 80's too.

And about the BB marked belt, it's 100% the same as many KLu belts that also don't have suspender buckles, meant for dress occasions. Last weekend I dug through a box with dozens of them, while just needing 1 with actual buckles, because I only have one without.

Yes, that was me.

So what you are saying is that KLu gradually started to use green webbing in the 1980s?

Yes, though I don't know what exact year that started. Probably gradually after the uniforms started to become more green.
Here's a pic from 95, I have a bigger one stashed somewhere, but he's wearing a green belt and green rubberized canteen pouch.




Though here's another one, presumably early 90's, with a grey belt.




I also have an UZI magazine pouch that has been made green with blanco, either by some KL soldier that wanted a magpouch, or
for the green KLu era

Thanks for the info.

I have a cap from the 60's and one from the 80's, I'll take a pic of them side by side for comparison of how much the color changed.
If I'm home tomorrow at a time there's still enough light for a good photo anyway.

Here's a comparison pic of the caps, the grey one is 1967 dated and the grey-green one 1986.



And I uploaded pics of a full loadout with this KLu webbing on it in this thread:

https://iacmc.forumotion.com/t11537-dutch-army-loadout-displays-cold-war-era#84806

So they do exist:

This is the first I have seen! Quite a discovery.

The first for me too, and just for €4 in a pile of random stuff.

Also of note is the hooks, they're situated about 4cm lower on the carrier, and in comparison with my green one they are inverted, meaning when hung upside-down the hooks are in the regular position on the belt

Interesting observation. Well, now I have to look for one of these too.

Oops, I thought one thing and typed another. The hooks on the KLu carrier are lower and situated normally, the ones on a KL carrier I sold a while ago actually has them the other way around for upside-down carrying.
I should check what the same half-leather carriers hooks on my 50's KL loadout are like.

Here's a (bad) photo of the sold one's hooks.

I have several of these carriers - I will have to check them over to see if there are any variations in the hook placement.

Reuploaded the photos from posts 16, 17 and 21 because apparently photobucket thought they weren't functioning badly enough.

16



17



21

Finally got a complete KLu K52 gasmask bag

Finally some actual 100% certain Dutch made KLu L-straps. Actually marked MvO as with all early KLu gear.
I have 2 other sets but some are reused British WW2 RAF straps and others are either also that or unmarked Dutch.

The buckle is of course not original to the straps, but modified.