Since the end of World War Two and the increasing threat of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare during the Cold War, equipment designers have focused on building NBC protection and decontamination into the British soldier's webbing equipment. The capabilities of 1958-pattern webbing were known to be very poor, yet it was not until the exposure of its shortcomings during the Falklands War of 1982 that a suitable nylon-based load-carrying equipment was developed.

Table of Contents

The 1958 pattern webbing Experimental webbing concepts Person Load Carrying Equipment [PLCE] Chest webbing Modular webbing [MOLLE] Osprey and Kestrel body armour equipment Small Arms 80 [SA80] development Nuclear Biological and Chemical [NBC] equipment

About the Author

Simon Howlett has been researching and collecting British infantry equipment on a non-commercial basis for over 20 years, with particular interest in British webbing equipment starting with 1958-pattern right up to modern-day modular concepts. Resident - Hampshire

Prizes

Features and reviews in Combat & Survival, Journal for Army Historical Research, Militaria and Classic Arms & Militaria. Reviews in Military History Society, Military Book Review, Soldier and Military Modelling magazines.