Re: Vietnam Reference question to kit
Ah yes, the ages old question of how the US Soldiers looked like in Vietnam.
I can recommend some read regarding that topic from Osprey Punblishing:
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
Armies of the Vietnam War Book 1 and 2, has lots of pics and of course the color plates, showing weapons equitment and gear from the beginning of the war till the end.
Vietnam Airborne is another good read, showing the diffrent gear of the Airborne Forces in Vietnam. Then there is US Marine Rifleman in vietnam, and of course the new book, The US Marine Corps in the Vietnam War and US Army Infantryman in Vietnam 1965-73.
I can recommend those books highly, Osprey always does nice stuff.
But anyhow, lets try to explain some things regarding the outfit in NAM:
As the first units landed back in 1965, the US Soldiers wore mostly standart gear, also the OG 107 Unrility Uniform with Cap or Helmet and the M65 LBH, over the time, the look of the soldier changed dramatically. The heat, the rough terrian and the experience in the field started to show that Soldiers started to wear thier gear and uniform after personal tastes then regulation.
A normal Grunt would wear the Jungle Utility Uniforms, Jungle Boots, Steel Helmet, his M16 or M16A1 (RTOs, medics and Team leaders would often carry the XM-177E1 or E2 instead of the M16), his M1965 LBH or the M1967 Modernized Loead Bearing Equitment, up to 4 ammo pouches and ammo bandoleers, lots of water bottels, M1961 or M1967 Butt Pack or a Torpical Backpack, depending on the mission, a machet, first aid gear, several grenades etc.
Well, I better post some pictures I have.
Us Army Soldiers on the March, you can get a good view of the backpacks and what is strapped to it in this photo.
Soldier slung with M60 ammo. That was common way to carry it. From the looks of it, he is the assisant that will bring the actual M60 gunner the ammo in a fire fight.
Drawing of a US Marine during the Tet Offensive in Hue City. He carries the M60 and has his tropical rucksack packed with gear.
Another drawing, this time a Aribrone/Air Cavlary soldier.
Typical Grunt later in the war, wearing the Modernized M1967 LBE
Air Cavlary Soldiers, another drawing.
I hope this gives you a nice view of the equitment, weapons and gear worn by US Soldiers in NAM.
You mentioned Tunnel Rats, Tunnel Rats would actually wear as little as possible, only armed with a handgun and a flashlight, they would go into the tunnels.
If there are any questions, feel free to ask and I can always post more pictures if you want.