View Full Version : IPKs
w00dsmoke
24-03-2009, 18:57
Does anyone know what or if the UK military have replaced the IPK with? I'm looking for alternatives if they exist. Somebody on here may have recently done a CBRN course ?
I'm really curious as I really do like the IPK's but I'm sure they can be improved upon. [/I][/I]
wingstoo
24-03-2009, 20:26
Not heared of any change, I wouldn't think that there is much to be improved on a sheet of fabric some para-type cord and some metal pegs to be honest.
After all it is just for a cover over a hole in the ground to protect against fallout.;)
RAPPLEBY2000
24-03-2009, 20:49
I would imagine Normal issue DPM Tarps are used when IPK are not available.
IPK sheets (unless you're careful) seem to be a single use item (which is it's original intent).
I guess one made of the old 58" Poncho material would be stronger.
w00dsmoke
24-03-2009, 20:51
Not heared of any change, I wouldn't think that there is much to be improved on a sheet of fabric some para-type cord and some metal pegs to be honest.
After all it is just for a cover over a hole in the ground to protect against fallout.;)
Well it makes you wonder. I like to adapt cheap ex military gear for my own uses. In Gulf 1 and 2 they weren't used I believe. From what I understand the their function is to provide overhead protection for a fighting trench as well as CBRN protection.
Now the German's had an amazing system made up of a metal frame that was covered in tarpaulin and had an airlock and two hatches which was buriod in the ground. The ultimate in stealth hideouts...which is a heck of a lot better than some string and pegs and a wee green sheet! I've got a link for it here.
http://www.militaerbestaende.de/Zelte-Planen-Fallschirme/NVA-Faltbunkersystem-ZU-85-neuwertig::1441.html
RAPPLEBY2000
24-03-2009, 21:17
:eek: woah, just looked at the Greman site....I guess they'd dig-in days or weeks beforehand, but that's pretty serious kit! not very portable though.
w00dsmoke
24-03-2009, 21:20
:eek: woah, just looked at the Greman site....I guess they'd dig-in days or weeks beforehand, but that's pretty serious kit! not very portable though.
The UK in the 80's had a man portable version made up of lightweight frame hoops and nbc material that could be as big or as small as you liked.
I quite fancy the German one in the back garden for the hell of it...who needs a shed when you can have that cheaply! pmsl
A sort of updated portable anderson shelter with mods.
We also have a shelter making kit, mexe shelter. It's cold war era and was made from steel poles and arches that were erected in a large pit. Special revetting fabric was tied in place and the structure backfilled with the earth and cammed up with the turfs. It would have been a large task, probably Troop strength if memory serves correctly. They were used as hospitals and command posts. Not much call for them nowadays, trench warfare and standing static for a few months isn't the way wars are fought any more.
Mexe shelter loads of digging and filling ...did one on ex-lionheart in the day .
As far as I know IPK were stopped being used for training after some junior soldiers died during a collapse...long time ago may be using them again nowadays .
Twodogs
wingstoo
24-03-2009, 23:21
Well it makes you wonder. I like to adapt cheap ex military gear for my own uses. In Gulf 1 and 2 they weren't used I believe. From what I understand the their function is to provide overhead protection for a fighting trench as well as CBRN protection.
Now the German's had an amazing system made up of a metal frame that was covered in tarpaulin and had an airlock and two hatches which was buriod in the ground. The ultimate in stealth hideouts...which is a heck of a lot better than some string and pegs and a wee green sheet! I've got a link for it here.
http://www.militaerbestaende.de/Zelte-Planen-Fallschirme/NVA-Faltbunkersystem-ZU-85-neuwertig::1441.html
Nice price to go with the German one as well, 350 euro is only 100 times the price of the UK IPK.
I would hazard a guess that the IPK aren't a lot of good in desert/sand conditions as they were most likely designed for European type climates and conditions.
The IPK was also withdrawn for a few years on Health and Safety grounds after it wasn't used as it should be and a few squaddies were injured.
It was to the best of my knowledge a use once and abandon item, that is why it was so cheap and basic to produce.:)
RAPPLEBY2000
25-03-2009, 02:59
The IPK was also withdrawn for a few years on Health and Safety grounds after it wasn't used as it should be and a few squaddies were injured.
As far as I know IPK were stopped being used for training after some junior soldiers died during a collapse...long time ago
There'll always be a numpty!
Was it when they did the 4 tonner over the top test?:rolleyes:
Jedadiah
25-03-2009, 08:52
If you want to modify IPK, get two and stick opposing strips of velcro down one edge of both of them with a flexible adhesive. this means you can use them independantly or together. using an eyelet kit will add, well, eyelets to enhance flexibility.;)
hogstable
13-01-2010, 21:18
IPK was designed as a cover to put 45 cms of earth on top in an emergency. It is still taught and I haven't heard of it being withdrawn will put some feeders out to try and find out.
As for use in the Gulf wars, there is an earth hardness test with a cone penetration device, depending on the result lets you know what shelters can be built, or just use the heel of a boot. If the ground is too soft then above ground shelters, like sandbag bunkers would be used. If it was firmer then trenches okay, too hard then errrr . To prevent collapse in use or under bombardment the basic trench is reinforced. The trench sides can be shored with sheets of corrugated iron which are held in place with iron pickets that are held in place with wire pegged out. The roof is then made using more sheets of corrugated iron held on more iron pickets. Alternatively corrugated sheets with a curve at one end can be used and a roof made with that.
If you have these stores and better still the plant operators to put it in bonus, IPK not necessary. If none of the above and you expected someone to start shelling you in a bit then entrenching tool and magic nylon to the rescue. But the idea is that in modern war you are either mobile or Hesco bastion, sand filled cubes would be made into above ground shelters.
Will check up on IPK though.
Chalky723
13-01-2010, 21:41
Nice price to go with the German one as well, 350 euro is only 100 times the price of the UK IPK.
350,00 euros more like!! Makes the IPK even better value! :D
Chalky