Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/901315
Pad, Lower back FSN 8465-269-0480. It was made in similar way to shoulder straps and was relatively narrow (about 3" wide, slightly more than the shoulder straps), and protruded only a bit from the frame. Its tension was adjusted with a turnbuckle in order to fit it to the shape of the user's back. 1" wide waist strap with quick release buckle was attached to pad (Strap, Waist, FSN 8465-269- 0481). From the very beginning, the waist strap had buckle secured with an additional lock, because the left shoulder strap did not have such a lock in that mechanism. The first years of use revealed shortcomings of the frame. The waist strap and harness filled with the plastic net were stiff and inconvenient, although they did not absorb moisture. At the same time, the frames had the tendency to bend after falling down (especially when they were used by paratroopers or transported loosely in vehicles). They could get deformed pretty easily and pressed on the back of the user. In the 1970s, frames were rarely used by regular infantry. That is why changes were not implemented as quickly as it was the case for modifications of backpacks or other elements of gear. The frames were produced in their original form until 1979. ALICE frame in the 1980's On 21 March 1979, as a part of MIL-S-43835B specification, frame improvements were set. The redesigned frame, as a kit with straps, was assigned a NSN: 8465-01-073-8326, while the designation of the whole set, as well as its individual parts, was changed from LC-1 to LC-2. The effective use of new frames began in the 1980s. First of all, the horizontal rod in new frames was shifted by 1 inch from the back, forming new space in the frame bent (and each one of them did so). There was a slight change in the shape of the reinforcement placed along the central part of the frame. In previous versions, it was sharply slanted at the top part. After the change, that piece of aluminum was bent just due to the force of its tension, which was to further prevent the frame from bending but in practice - it did not work, and the frames just had to bend. The arrangement of shoulder straps was changed completely and they received they rectangular shape. The plastic netting inside the shoulder pads was replaced with foam and, at the same time, any soft material under the QR buckle was removed. In the new model of shoulder harness, QR was located on both sides and additionally secured with a snap like in the case of the waist belt. There was a slight change in the way the upper webbing straps were sewn to shoulder straps, but the adjustment with a non-slip buckle remained the same. Despite the change of designation, NSN of the left shoulder strap did not change. However, the right shoulder strap was assigned NSN 8465-01-078-9282. The thin waist strap was removed but it was still produced until 2003 (as a spare part). The waist belt was enlarged and padded with foam. Waist belt was made of 12.5 oz. nylon and assigned a new NSN: 8465-01-075-8164. From that moment, the padded waist belt was integrated with the waist strap, which was made of a thick and stiff nylon webbing with the same width as the ALICE individual equipment belt (but with a different weave). The waist belt was adjustable with two large buckles while the waist strap itself had gray QR buckle, same as the one in LC-2 individual equipment belt. Tension of the waist strap was ensured by a tensioner located at the back, made from a 1" webbing strap with a buckle that looked like the buckles used for strap fastening. At least two types of buckles were used, depending on the contractor. On 3 December 1982, MIL-S-43835C spec was introduced. From that moment, the black anodized finish was replaced with FS 34079 or FS 34086 shades of green. Alternatively, MIL-S-43835D from 30 March 1988 accepted powder-coating of the frames instead of anodizing. In practice, frames from 1980s usually had anodized finish made in oshade of green or in a combination of both. In the case of frames that were anodized green, steel rivets were painted black chemically and the frame was riveted after anodizing. Powder-coated frames were assembled first and then coated. That is why the paint on the connections chipped off after some time of being used. Frames in 1990-2000's Powder coated frames were introduced in 1989 when Central City Manufacturing (CCM US) became the prime contractor for frames. On 15 June 1990, MIL-S-43835E spec was issued, which included a change of the waist belt buckle to black Fastex. At the same time, the waist strap was from that moment made of standard, soft 2" wide webbing and the heavy side adjustment buckles were removed. What is more, the specification introduced 1" nylon webbing chest strap with a flexible section and small black Fastex buckle. The strap was not included in the very first batches from CCM. The equipment