Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/901315
Plecak ALICE MEDIUM w najwcze- śniejszej wersji produkcyjnej wraz z kompletnym oporządzeniem ALICE. Typowy zestaw oporządze- nia żołnierza piechoty US ARMY w drugiej połowie lat 70. Material Requirement) works on which commenced after 27 April 1966 and the final approval for financing of the project. zThe first parts of system were presented druing the meeting at Natick Labs on 15 March 1967 and in "existence load" carrying part, the brand-new frame and a small field pack (slightly bigger than M1956 and M1961 butt-packs) were shown. It was possible to attach the backpack to the frame with metal clamps fixed to plastic straps reinforcing the back part. Pack could be also carried without the frame, after it was directly attached to shoulder straps. The frame could be used with the pack, as well as stand- alone as an alternative for a packboard used since WW II. The overall shape of the original LINCLOE frame resembled the one used later on in ALICE. However, it basically was quite different due to the initially adopted fastening method of the packs that used clasps, hooks and D-rings. Throughout 1967, works were conducted on two sizes of packs - Small, already presented in March, and a new Large pack that was intended for use in mountain and arctic conditions and for special forces. The Large pack was developed at the initiative of Eldon C. Metzger, despite the lack of an official approval. TRIALS By September 1969, LINCLOE packs went through the first tests and a set of shortcomings were observed. The majority of negative feedback referred to the Small pack because it was definitely... too small, inconvenient, and had problems with durability of the attachment system. Metal clamps riveted to plastic reinforcements simply tore off. Despite the initial skepticism, the design of the Large pack seemed promising. The prototype version had the same size of the main compartment and three identical outer pockets as in the final version. It was suggested to make changes in the Small pack, to increase its capacity to approx. 2/3 of the Large one, but with keeping the option of carrying it on a frame and without it. Both packs were expected to have three outer pockets and additional small magazine pouches, a dedicated internal pocket for a PRC-25/PRC-77 radio, waterproof sacks inside all compartments, a quick release system, and size adjustment. There were comments about the frame and there was suggestion to create a frame with adjustable height and add a second strap in the middle, similar to the one fixed in the hip part. It must be highlighted that early LINCLOE packs did not have www.fragoutmag.com