08-18-2005, 02:01 AM
Guys,
I think I might have a compromise solution to the waterproofing outer layer. Holite14gr's issue poncho sounds suspiciously like the shelter half that almost all armies seem to issue but never seem to be used in real field situations. I never saw one after basic training. They are canvas, water repellent for the most part, and cheap in war surplus stores. Some commercial tents are still made of this stuff. When I started doing archaeology in the 1970's we used tents that were made for the US Cavalry in the 1860s, stored in Arizona from the 1920s and sold as surplus in the 1960s. They obviously did not use any modern coating and were still water repellent even when over 100 years old. The Civil War re-enactor supply folks like C.D. Jarnigan sell modern repro poncho and tents made the same way, without using modern materials.
Take one of these things, cut it up into as many layers as you want. If you find a shelter half thats olive drab, paint it over. I think water repellent, not water proof might work here. We all know that no army in history ever had enough sense to come in out of the rain, but would cover up equipment. Especially if you had to buy it yourself.
This would work for the outer shell of the type of quilted defense I have been playing with. I soaked six layers in brine a few days ago with a heavy salt concentration and foud that excess salt dried on the surface and crumbled off to the touch. This six layer sample was not stiff at all. It rained that day and I left the sample out in it. All the brine was washed out quickly.
Gaius Decius Aquilius
(Ralph Izard)
Who has been left out in the rain on occasion while the brigade HQ staff took cover. Of Course.
I think I might have a compromise solution to the waterproofing outer layer. Holite14gr's issue poncho sounds suspiciously like the shelter half that almost all armies seem to issue but never seem to be used in real field situations. I never saw one after basic training. They are canvas, water repellent for the most part, and cheap in war surplus stores. Some commercial tents are still made of this stuff. When I started doing archaeology in the 1970's we used tents that were made for the US Cavalry in the 1860s, stored in Arizona from the 1920s and sold as surplus in the 1960s. They obviously did not use any modern coating and were still water repellent even when over 100 years old. The Civil War re-enactor supply folks like C.D. Jarnigan sell modern repro poncho and tents made the same way, without using modern materials.
Take one of these things, cut it up into as many layers as you want. If you find a shelter half thats olive drab, paint it over. I think water repellent, not water proof might work here. We all know that no army in history ever had enough sense to come in out of the rain, but would cover up equipment. Especially if you had to buy it yourself.
This would work for the outer shell of the type of quilted defense I have been playing with. I soaked six layers in brine a few days ago with a heavy salt concentration and foud that excess salt dried on the surface and crumbled off to the touch. This six layer sample was not stiff at all. It rained that day and I left the sample out in it. All the brine was washed out quickly.
Gaius Decius Aquilius
(Ralph Izard)
Who has been left out in the rain on occasion while the brigade HQ staff took cover. Of Course.
