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Forum Home > S4, Supplies & logistics, FSSF HQ > Two Man Mountain Tent

papajoad
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Posts: 22 		Two Man Mountain Tent

In 1942, the Army started development of a two man tent for use in cold weather conditions, typical of winter and mountain operations.  A one piece design was favored, based on advice from mountaineers and field tests, to eliminate problems with zippers, buttons and snaps that could not eliminate drafts and stand up to strong winds.  It could also be larger for the same materials.  The complete specification was for a tent that would:

Weigh not more than five pounds
Provide complete protection in driving rain or blizzard at any temperature with wind velocity up to 75 mph
Hold two men normally and three in an emergency
Provide adequate ventilation in calm or storm
Provide a protected cooking space in open snow or ground

The "Tent, Mountain, Two Man" that resulted from this specification and a series of preliminary designs was made of balloon cloth, white on one side and olive drab on the other, reversible for camouflage under varying conditions.  Four light, strong jointed poles were used in two collapsible sets, for front and back.  The poles passed through sleeves along the sloping edges of the tent, meeting at the top to form an inverted V-shape.  Guy ropes at front and rear, with additional side ropes in severe conditions, made the tent stable in high winds.

The Mountain tent had a sewn floor for protection from dampness, a tunnel entrance, and two "snorkel" ventilation tubes, front and rear.  The entrance and vent tubes had insect netting for protection in warmer weather and could be closed off with tie strings when very cold.  The tent fabric was impermeable, so the ventilators had to be kept open most of the time, especially if cooking with the liquid fuel Mountain Stove.  The ventilators could be adjusted from fully open to nearly closed
March 16, 2009 at 10:12 PM Flag Quote & Reply

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