by Raptor Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:37 am
Just my luck, a day late and a dollar short. Well, if you see any more Irish-issued PLCE (or 58 pattern), let me know.
Wilco. In the mean time I might be able to get my hands on the DF PLCE Instruction pamphlet for you.
Was the olive PLCE from British sources, or manufactured specially?
The first batches bought were made by CQC in the UK.The last batch was made in ireland by "TENBA Ltd" in Charleville,Cork.
How you know the difference is the large "Tenba" stamp on the back of the pouches ,the Cordura is a lighter,thinner material and the "spanish" fasteners on the pouches had little "horns" sticking out on the pulltabs which prevented soldiers double locking the pouches.Most soldiers issued the tenba kit used to file down these "horns" just to enable them to do so.
The major Differences between irish and UK OG PLCE was that the Irish version had the "C" hook belt fasteners as per version 1 UK Pattern. The bayonet frog was Steyr AUG specific. The waterbottle pouch was smaller and lacked the internal divider.The british respirator pouch had the internal fittings removed and fasterner changed from a press stud to a "spanish" fastener and became the "large utility pouch".The British utility pouch became the pouch for our old Shalon GS86 respirator.
On the bergen there were 3 changes.the addition of a chest strap,An integral collapsible radio carrier inside the main compartment for the old '77 set and the moving of the outside lid compartment zip from the side of the compartment to just behind the neck with a velcro down storm flap.
