Patrol Pack, Onward
General Information
Name: Patrol Pack, Onward.
Country of Origin: New Zealand.
Manufacturer: Hallmark NZ.
Date of manufacture: c 1988.
NATO Stock Number (NSN): Yet to be identified.
Camouflage Pattern: Olive Drab (OD).
Number Of compartments: Two.
Volume Capacity: 25L.
Weight: 500gms.
Waterproof: Yes, but this depends on the condition.
Similar Objects
History
The Patrol Pack, Onward, issued by the New Zealand army in the late 1980s, was a component of the Onward Field Pack system, which comprised a much larger field pack. This patrol pack could be attached to the top of the larger Onward field pack, serving as a lid, similar to how the Pack, Patrol, Combat functions for the Field Pack, Large, With Internal Frame. Additionally, it could be carried as a standalone small pack using the Onward field pack’s shoulder straps. The patrol pack could accommodate the field pack’s front pouch and was equipped with an aircraft recognition panel, a feature often removed by soldiers.
The patrol pack remained in the New Zealand army’s inventory long after the Onward field pack was phased out, particularly favored by signalers/Radio Telephone Operators (RTO) for carrying field radios. It could occasionally be spotted in official photographs as late as the early 2000s.
Description
The lid of the patrol pack extends downward to cover the opening of the main compartment, secured shut with two webbing straps and quick-release buckles. At the top of the lid, there are two small radio ports, similar to those found on the field pack, along with a plastic ID window. The patrol pack is designed with two compartments: the main compartment at the front and a second compartment at the back. Both compartments are of equal size, and entry to the back compartment is via a nylon zip located at the top of the shoulders. Concealed within this compartment is an orange aircraft panel sewn to the inside, accessible for use but not removable.
At the top of the pack, there are four unidirectional metal domes that correspond to those on the field pack, enabling the patrol pack to be attached to the top of the Field Pack. The shoulder straps of the field pack are clipped to the female ends of the plastic quick-release buckles positioned at the top and bottom of the pack. Additionally, the front pouch on the field pack can be fitted to the nylon loops located on the front of the patrol pack.
Volume Capacity: 25L.
Front compartment- 13L.
Back compartment- 12L.
Object Number: 3124-554-44101
