Genuine US Issue Vietnam Era Tropical Rucksack

• FSN: 8465-935-6673
• Specification: MIL-R-43574

Development of the Tropical Rucksack (a.k.a. Jungle Rucksack) began in 1965 when MACV requested a nylon version of the ARVN pack from Natick Labs for evaluation purposes. However, after initial testing the rucksack had to be significantly redesigned in order to strengthen the pack and round off the corners of the frame. The redesigned rucksack was assessed against three Cresson H. Kearny modified Gurkha-Australian packs, before being finally approved for procurement in early 1968.

The standardized Tropical Rucksack featured an OG-106 nylon pack with three outside pockets mounted on a spring steel X-frame. The outside pockets and the main compartment were provided with removable waterproof treated nylon liners, though these were often poorly coated and prone to leak.³ The map pocket inside the top flap did not have a liner but the underside was waterproofed. The outside pockets had strap and buckle adjustable closures and snap fasteners for quick access, whilst Velcro sealed the map pocket.