Tiger-pie

Correct, the cover is now, and has been for a long time, plastic. However, you can still purchase the cotton cover. For 'onboard' wear, I have a lid with the cotton cover, and it looks very salty, and U-boatish.

The entire cap can be pulled apart, the same with the Junior Rates 'dog bowl'. This saves money as you can replace bits rather than the entire cap. I'm not sure if it was to facilitate changing between winter and summer as they should have received an issue of both. However, given space limitations (then and now), it would be easier to carry a cap cover rather than an entire lid for a season change. The difference between the two Petty Officer cap badges may simply be an be a case of using what was available. The velvet type is still used today (my own cap badge being of this type).

Jelly beans? Don't you mean love hearts and bunny rabbits...? There are a few different types getting around at the moment, including the Navy version.

Looks like a early pattern uniform, the slanted pockets went out years ago.

Fancy name for a suitcase. You won't here it much anymore, but the word was shortened here in Australia to 'port'.

I like the miniture, can't say I have stumbled across one as yet.

G'da Tony, it is far easier than using the old SLR. Lighter and less cumberson. Regards, Johnsy

Mate, I can't remember. It did have photos of the patrol members, and areas they were in. I was about 12 or 13 when I read it, a while ago now. Ranulph Fiennes was basically working as a mercenary for Oman, if I recall correctly, so the story is biased toward his experiances. However, I added it as you may find it an interesting angle on that particular conflict. Regards, TP

Even the boss likes to get out of the office occasionally.

Outside the village a security cordon waits in position.

'Where Soldiers Fear to Tread' by Ranulph Fiennes

Some of them look pretty well stuffed. I'm not sure they would have function. I suppose that they could have been rigged to make IED's, so having them out of circulation is a good thing.

A member of the Afghan army looks on as the engineers make a final check to ensure they have found all munitions in this section. The trooper in the forground inspects a 12.7mm round.

The find is layed out for cataloguing. They will destroyed in a more isolated location.

Out in the compound further munitions have been located, more small arm ammunition and RPG rockets.