Berghaus Vulcan/Crusader

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Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
4,079
1,766
Berlin
I don't know.

The Vulcan is older, Atlas and Crusader are newer, the Atlas grew a bit, obviously because the German Army Special Forces KSK couldn't fit in all theyr stuff. The frame became stronger with the larger one, because they managed to break a few of the old ones.

The Atlas has compression straps under the side pouches and is lighter than the Crusader. The Crusader has no compression straps under the side pouches.

If you put a roll mat under the main flap, the sidepouches of the Atlas are better accessible, the crusader side pouches are obviously better rain protected.

But you can get the Crusader pouches in two sizes separately if you want.

From the Crusader exist several other, more complicated versions with large front opening, weapon compartment etc.

The German army follows since they got the first Flecktarn equipment a lightweight concept.
Dutch and Brits prefere handier but heavier solutions.
You can see that in every item you look at, and here also if you compare Atlas and Crusader.

If you scroll down here you find a lot of, if not all of, the current military equipment they make.

 

z_bumbi

Tenderfoot
Apr 22, 2016
94
46
Linköping, Sweden
As long its the same mmps system the sidepockets is interchangable so one can have the larger sidepockets on a atlas etc. There is a lot of different pockets but the prices new is pretty high and most weights more than the "standard" ones.

The only place I have found some historic info is here and on bottom- forum.
 

Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
4,079
1,766
Berlin
Is the MMPS system an own Berghaus creation or did the British Army change from PLCE to MMPS?
 

z_bumbi

Tenderfoot
Apr 22, 2016
94
46
Linköping, Sweden
Is the MMPS system an own Berghaus creation or did the British Army change from PLCE to MMPS?


Berghaus made (as i understand it) the system in a tender for a contract and then the british army instead got plce backpacks with the zips in reverse from some other company.... The sidepockets still fitted but upside down. A lot of soldiers bought berghaus for their own money so berghaus also switched to match all army gear but have switched back yet again.
 
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Fallschirmwomble

Tenderfoot
May 11, 2009
56
10
Tennis Town
Here's one on the history of Berghaus:

THANKS!

Viewed with interest (and shall return). I've NEVER noticed a civvie Roc.
Berghaus made (as i understand it) the system in a tender for a contract and then the british army instead got plce backpacks with the zips in reverse from some other company.... The sidepockets still fitted but upside down. A lot of soldiers bought berghaus for their own money so berghaus also switched to match all army gear but have switched back yet again.
Don't get me started on the upside-down zips!

(I'm looking for a pair of the PLCE upside-down side pouches with their V shaped yoke, if anyone has them for sale.)

I've not seen the '83 "pre-PLCE" trials rucksack (the side pouches use a coil zip) but the first PLCE ('85 Trials) rucksack had the size 10 upside-down zips (Berghaus orientation)! This rucksack was based on the Berghaus Crusader. Soldiers didn't like it that way so one of the next modifications was for them to zip from the bottom upwards.

I have a Vulcan that takes PLCE (size 10 zips, bottom to top) side pouches. For my collection. Impressed with it, I decided to get one to customise for bushcraft. The next one had the (Berghaus orientation) "upside-down" size 8 zips! Except for the black accessory patches (on the PLCE compatible side pouches), they seem identical. I believe the PLCE compatible one is Dutch mlitary issue.

So now I STILL have to get another Vulcan (but I'll probably keep my money and stick with my PLCE rucksack I've used since 1991 - I don't see myself doing much 'til Covid's properly over).

I bought two PLCE compatible side pouches - advertised as "Berghaus" - by mail order: the DPM one had a Lowe Alpine zip. That's a new one on me...

Also, a side pouch advertised as a Roc side pouch - it has two aluminium rods inside which the compression straps feed through to attach. Are there canvas versions?

See 2nd pic:
 

Erbswurst

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 5, 2018
4,079
1,766
Berlin
That here seems to be a Dutch seller who specialises in Dutch Army equipment.

Perhaps he can tell it you?

 

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