More not bushwalking. Modify and adapt an old army pack?

[Moondog55]

I've picked up another old Vietnam era P-37 pack cheap.
I'll keep one as issued for my CMF replication but I am thinking of modifying one as a Chindit/PNG homage.
I could simple rivet or bolt a pair of basic pouches to the side panels as was done in the Pacific but I think I'd get a lot of pleasure out of making something better and that would be more usable in the WW2 context to see how a better back pack might have worked.
The P-37 large pack was designed before WW1 and the only pattern modification done in 1937 was to make the pack a half inch deeper.
The pack is a basic rectangle 13" wide by 14" high and 4.5" deep and I'm using Imperial measurements because that's what it was made to.
The WW2 utility pouch is a basic rectangle 5" wide by 8.5" tall and 3" deep.
My first thought is to simply make the pack 6" deep with the utility pouches sewn on as Scotch pockets but my second and third thoughts are to make the pack longer in the back to really increase the capacity.
Not too long tho or it impedes the use of the belt that all the bits are attached to. So thoughts on making it 16 0r 17 inches tall?

[ChrisJHC]

I remember seeing a review of those packs in a hiking magazine.
The conclusion was along the lines of “not to be considered for serious use”

[Moondog55]

I remember seeing a review of those packs in a hiking magazine.
The conclusion was along the lines of “not to be considered for serious use”

This is very true, as a school age kid I used one as a book bag and couldn't believe the army expected you to live out of one for a week or more.
This is very much a "What if" project.

[Moondog55]

I've started work on the modification.
First off is unstitching the old pack.
I was thinking of using the old M-56 bumbag as a back pocket but I think it might be a bit big, was my uncles on his first tour in about 1964 so starting to deteriorate a bit.
I was using it as a hunting pack but I don't hunt much anymore

[Moondog55]

If I am going to finish this myself I am going to need a much better sewing machine. Anybody here have any knowledge of these MJC machines?
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-detai ... 1313138905

[andrewa]

Look for 22G needles for domestic machines…I found some leather point ones a few years ago from a guy in ?Sheparton on eBay. You can then sew most stuff with a domestic machine, and don’t need to upgrade.

A

[Moondog55]

Thanx Andrew I ordered some #21 needles this week and they should be here soon.
They are coming from Taiwan.
That said I do think it is easier to make something from scratch rather than try and remedy a design fault after the fact.

[Moondog55]

As Cecile has her new cylinder arm machine for sewing leather handbags any worries about being able to sew heavy fabrics and webbing are gone.
The compound feed Mirsew will do anything I am likely to do over the next couple of years, up to and including pulling harness for pulks and sleds using M-13 or heavier threads, only straight stitch tho