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Demolition container question
- Thread starter BMG50
- Start date
Its Tri-Service, it just happens that this particular one was issued to the Navy, hence the "ShipCat". label
The markings are a bit strange though, nearly ALL markings I've seen have the stencils properly horizontal, the NSN (NATO Stock Number) is angled slightly, which is strange, plus its duplicated. On the larger NSN there is a /2 at the end which has me baffled too, its painted on separately to the NSN so may not be connected to it at all. Also, the markings on the lid are unusual, it is usual to place all markings on the main body of the box, probably in case they get detached and are replaced on different bodies (easy to do with an H82). Looking at it again, if the larger NSN was stencilled horizontally, it would cover the qty amount, 125. Perhaps the stenciler was just making it fit on the box.
My guess is that it is a Fraction box made up in a depot. I can't be sure as I don't have any references to how ammunition was packed in the 80s, but nowadays these are packed in H83's.
The ADAC (Ammunition Descriptive Asset Code) number is missing, (which is used for accounting separately from the NSN) but I don't know when ADACs were introduced.
The numbers on the lid don't mean anything to me at all.
Can you show the label on the bottom right, might get more info from it.
The markings are a bit strange though, nearly ALL markings I've seen have the stencils properly horizontal, the NSN (NATO Stock Number) is angled slightly, which is strange, plus its duplicated. On the larger NSN there is a /2 at the end which has me baffled too, its painted on separately to the NSN so may not be connected to it at all. Also, the markings on the lid are unusual, it is usual to place all markings on the main body of the box, probably in case they get detached and are replaced on different bodies (easy to do with an H82). Looking at it again, if the larger NSN was stencilled horizontally, it would cover the qty amount, 125. Perhaps the stenciler was just making it fit on the box.
My guess is that it is a Fraction box made up in a depot. I can't be sure as I don't have any references to how ammunition was packed in the 80s, but nowadays these are packed in H83's.
The ADAC (Ammunition Descriptive Asset Code) number is missing, (which is used for accounting separately from the NSN) but I don't know when ADACs were introduced.
The numbers on the lid don't mean anything to me at all.
Can you show the label on the bottom right, might get more info from it.
Last edited:
Richard709
Well-Known Member
Hi,
The box is an RNAD repack. A Naval packed box for the Navy. I cant see the depot on the label. The "ShipCat" requirement meant that various items had to repacked by RNAD's before they could go on board RN ships, standard RAOC/RLC army issue items like boxes of 125 elect dets had to be repacked and re-marked navy style. RNAD's also received from trade larger quantity's, that then had to be repacked into standard packs. In the old days the Navy took 303 rounds packed in H52's opened them up removed the rounds from the cardboard boxes, waxed the boxes and when dry repacked them back into the H52's re-soldering the tins before replacing them in the H51's and H50's.
Although all Naval specific items are packed in purpose designed packaging for the Navy, some Tri-Service items like dets need to be repacked. The requirements on Naval Vessels to protect against RadHaz and moisture will always mean that ships packing will sometimes differ from the Army norm. The numbers on the lid are the admiralty code and authority for repack.
The box is an RNAD repack. A Naval packed box for the Navy. I cant see the depot on the label. The "ShipCat" requirement meant that various items had to repacked by RNAD's before they could go on board RN ships, standard RAOC/RLC army issue items like boxes of 125 elect dets had to be repacked and re-marked navy style. RNAD's also received from trade larger quantity's, that then had to be repacked into standard packs. In the old days the Navy took 303 rounds packed in H52's opened them up removed the rounds from the cardboard boxes, waxed the boxes and when dry repacked them back into the H52's re-soldering the tins before replacing them in the H51's and H50's.
Although all Naval specific items are packed in purpose designed packaging for the Navy, some Tri-Service items like dets need to be repacked. The requirements on Naval Vessels to protect against RadHaz and moisture will always mean that ships packing will sometimes differ from the Army norm. The numbers on the lid are the admiralty code and authority for repack.
The letters on the lid may identify who re packed the items. Years ago in the army ammunition technicians who carried out this type of work each had a unique identification code which was two or for newer technicians three letters. When they carried out the work they would stencil on the back of the box details of the work carried out, a three letter code to identify the location where the work was carried out, their code followed by the month and year. So you would have something along the lines of "INSP KTN AA 09/90" for inspecting the contents, at CAD Kineton by whoever had the code AA in September 1990. Things have probably changed by now, barcodes and scanners!!
The label on the end of the first container indicates that the operation was Routine Periodic Inspection and the stores were condition A1 fit for storage and issue.
I saw no inspection or repackaging data that I recognised, so it could be that the package was reused without someone bothering to scrape off the old label.
The second H83 package is clearly a Detailed Issues Group repack because it has the operators number, depot and date of repack. It is marked FRAC in white as it should have been at that time. These repacks are done for various reasons. Many small units do not have an annual entitlement of a particular store that is as much as a full package so a repack is required. In the case of detonators, they present a storage problem long term due to the ammunition hazard class. Units might order within their entitlement but for the amount they need for a particular exercise so they do not have to store them after the exercise. Signal cartridges were a particular repack favourite and it was not unusual, at that time to repack 3 red, 3 green, 3 yellow and 3 illuminating in one package.
I saw no inspection or repackaging data that I recognised, so it could be that the package was reused without someone bothering to scrape off the old label.
The second H83 package is clearly a Detailed Issues Group repack because it has the operators number, depot and date of repack. It is marked FRAC in white as it should have been at that time. These repacks are done for various reasons. Many small units do not have an annual entitlement of a particular store that is as much as a full package so a repack is required. In the case of detonators, they present a storage problem long term due to the ammunition hazard class. Units might order within their entitlement but for the amount they need for a particular exercise so they do not have to store them after the exercise. Signal cartridges were a particular repack favourite and it was not unusual, at that time to repack 3 red, 3 green, 3 yellow and 3 illuminating in one package.