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Posted: 8/27/2013 8:37:39 PM EDT
[#1]
I think their rifling was a left hand twist instead of right. You know, because they're from down under.
I think they got them from U.S. Forces in country, so probably just a 601/603/629. A lot of their guys from 3RAR used FALs too. One version they adapted and nicknamed "The Bitch" had a chopped barrel and an extended magazine. Apparently it was handy for breaking contact. Here are some pics I had, purportedly of an SASR patrol prior to launch. I don't know what year, maybe 1968 or 1969. 
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Posted: 8/27/2013 8:45:32 PM EDT
[#2]
I think I wanna do one so any info would be awesome! :)
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Posted: 8/27/2013 8:54:31 PM EDT
[#3]
Pics added above.
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Posted: 8/28/2013 7:44:44 AM EDT
[#4]
We gave the Aussies their M16s, they're just US Property-marked M16s, nothing different about them. Any special paint scheme would have been individualized and not "Australian".
Have to plug "The Odd Angry Shot" if you're interested in a great Australian Vietnam movie. Good flick. |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 7:48:58 AM EDT
[#5]
I have seen pics of Aussie carbines with a wood handguard. Quiet had one of the handguards on an upper he got in trade, was pretty neat. Not sure if he still has it or not...
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Posted: 8/28/2013 8:16:46 AM EDT
[#6]
C
 L PICS ! The one soldier with the "THUMPER" is also holding another rifle, what is it ?
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Posted: 8/28/2013 8:29:26 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
C L PICS ! The one soldier with the "THUMPER" is also holding another rifle, what is it ?Appears to be a FAL. |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 8:45:18 AM EDT
[#8]
Aussie pattern L1A1. The inch guns are different from normal FAL in a lot of ways.
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Posted: 8/28/2013 9:55:48 AM EDT
[#9]
Australia, over the years, has employed many models of the M16. I examined one specimen, a GM Hydro, at the Lithgow factory; typical CAR, US property marked, painted black.
"The Bitch" is not any M16, it is a modified L1A1. The barrel was chopped (not typically professionally, accuracy wasn't the goal, noise was). No FH. Converted to fire automatic, and equipped if possible with 30 round mags. As noted, the use was to break contact- The Bitch would be let loose with 30 rounds of 762x51 in full auto with a god-awful noise. Everyone would run away. The tactic is actually a bit more complicated than that, as described by an Aussie mate, but I don't recall all the details. The "normal" FAL should have looked like the L1A1. Canada developed the C1 after early adoption of the FN FAL; they improved areas that are, to this day, acknowedged as deficient. This includes larger selector and mag release, flip up/down rear sight and cocking handle, lightening cuts, and more. Some of these changes were later adopted by FN for the metric FAL but only on certain runs, and not all together. |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 1:13:25 PM EDT
[#10]
In the first & second picture, the soldier in the middle appears to have a 40mm XM148 grenade launcher attached to his M16.
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Posted: 8/28/2013 1:49:31 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
In the first & second picture, the soldier in the middle appears to have a 40mm XM148 grenade launcher attached to his M16. I have seen a couple of pictures with Aussie's with the XM148 on their rifle. In fact, I recall seeing an XM148 that was mounted on an L1A1 (no idea how they accomplished that though!) |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 3:11:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have seen a couple of pictures with Aussie's with the XM148 on their rifle. In fact, I recall seeing an XM148 that was mounted on an L1A1 (no idea how they accomplished that though!) Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
In the first & second picture, the soldier in the middle appears to have a 40mm XM148 grenade launcher attached to his M16. I have seen a couple of pictures with Aussie's with the XM148 on their rifle. In fact, I recall seeing an XM148 that was mounted on an L1A1 (no idea how they accomplished that though!) Those ASAS guys would put an XM148 on anything 
 This one looks like a hose clamp for a rear mount
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Posted: 8/28/2013 3:45:43 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have seen pics of Aussie carbines with a wood handguard. Quiet had one of the handguards on an upper he got in trade, was pretty neat. Not sure if he still has it or not... I would love to build an XM177 with that mod. I know the pic you are talking about - it's in RBR IIRC. We talked about this before, you and I. I would love to see a member repro them, but frankly, they'd likely catch on fire more likely than regular HGs. |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 4:51:58 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I would love to build an XM177 with that mod. I know the pic you are talking about - it's in RBR IIRC. We talked about this before, you and I. I would love to see a member repro them, but frankly, they'd likely catch on fire more likely than regular HGs. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have seen pics of Aussie carbines with a wood handguard. Quiet had one of the handguards on an upper he got in trade, was pretty neat. Not sure if he still has it or not... I would love to build an XM177 with that mod. I know the pic you are talking about - it's in RBR IIRC. We talked about this before, you and I. I would love to see a member repro them, but frankly, they'd likely catch on fire more likely than regular HGs. 
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Posted: 8/28/2013 5:55:43 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Those ASAS guys would put an XM148 on anything <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png</a>This one looks like a hose clamp for a rear mount Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
In the first & second picture, the soldier in the middle appears to have a 40mm XM148 grenade launcher attached to his M16. I have seen a couple of pictures with Aussie's with the XM148 on their rifle. In fact, I recall seeing an XM148 that was mounted on an L1A1 (no idea how they accomplished that though!) Those ASAS guys would put an XM148 on anything <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg</a>
<a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png</a>This one looks like a hose clamp for a rear mount They sure must have liked their 40mm grenade launchers considering they mount those to everything including a stick! |
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Posted: 8/28/2013 9:22:12 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They sure must have liked their 40mm grenade launchers considering they mount those to everything including a stick! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: In the first & second picture, the soldier in the middle appears to have a 40mm XM148 grenade launcher attached to his M16. I have seen a couple of pictures with Aussie's with the XM148 on their rifle. In fact, I recall seeing an XM148 that was mounted on an L1A1 (no idea how they accomplished that though!) Those ASAS guys would put an XM148 on anything <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick1_zps08221768.jpg</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/148stick_zps9eb11a43.jpg</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/sasrweaponsnamtx6.jpg</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a13_zpsfdf11314.png</a> <a href="http://s983.photobucket.com/user/44Echo10/media/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png.html" target="_blank">http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/ae318/44Echo10/Vietnam/ANZAC/l1a11_zpse02960f1.png</a>This one looks like a hose clamp for a rear mount They sure must have liked their 40mm grenade launchers considering they mount those to everything including a stick! |
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Posted: 8/29/2013 12:16:41 AM EDT
[#17]
Another picture of a SASR guy in Vietnam. The GD folks would lose their minds if one suggested jeans and Chuck Taylors for tactical clothing.
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Posted: 9/3/2013 10:35:40 PM EDT
[#18]
Do you think they painted their M16's or is that tape?
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Posted: 9/4/2013 12:11:58 AM EDT
[#19]
I'm guessing tape - in one of the pics I posted earlier you can see the butt of the M79 carried by the guy on the right; it appears to have strips of tape used to camo the stock.
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Posted: 9/4/2013 3:24:31 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Another picture of a SASR guy in Vietnam. The GD folks would lose their minds if one suggested jeans and Chuck Taylors for tactical clothing. <a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/bfmc.jpg/" target="_blank">http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4530/bfmc.jpg</a> That's funny cuz French forces have issued Palladium "pataugas" since 1947, which are very much like Chucks- rubber sole and canvas upper. Sure, they'll fall apart after a few months of heavy use, but they are far lighter and more breathable than any boot, and they're meant to be semi-disposable. Actually, I've had mine for two years of very frequent use, and they hold up fine. I'd rather have my feet be nimble than wear a heavy boot if it can be helped. In the jungle, your feet are going to be wet anyway, so you may as well wear something that can let them breathe and dry, at least somewhat. I've seen recent pictures of SEALs conducting maritime operations (ship boarding) with Chucks. As previously stated, Aussie M-16's were drawn from US stocks. The "Bitch" SLR was designed to be absolutely overwhelming for immediate action drills when contact was made. The idea being that the team puts as much lead and explosives toward the enemy as possible in a short amount of time while making a carefully orchestrated withdrawal. They featured the chopped barrel lacking any muzzle device for more noise, L2 automatic rifle selector 30 round magazine- also from the L2- and some had an XM-148 grenade launcher mounted, as seen in one of the pictures higher up. To put it lightly, they are loud. 
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Posted: 9/4/2013 3:25:17 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you think they painted their M16's or is that tape? Both were used. They could do basically anything they wanted, and did. |
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Posted: 9/4/2013 3:53:49 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's funny cuz French forces have issued Palladium "pataugas" since 1947, which are very much like Chucks- rubber sole and canvas upper. Sure, they'll fall apart after a few months of heavy use, but they are far lighter and more breathable than any boot, and they're meant to be semi-disposable. Actually, I've had mine for two years of very frequent use, and they hold up fine. I'd rather have my feet be nimble than wear a heavy boot if it can be helped. In the jungle, your feet are going to be wet anyway, so you may as well wear something that can let them breathe and dry, at least somewhat. I've seen recent pictures of SEALs conducting maritime operations (ship boarding) with Chucks. As previously stated, Aussie M-16's were drawn from US stocks. The "Bitch" SLR was designed to be absolutely overwhelming for immediate action drills when contact was made. The idea being that the team puts as much lead and explosives toward the enemy as possible in a short amount of time while making a carefully orchestrated withdrawal. They featured the chopped barrel lacking any muzzle device for more noise, L2 automatic rifle selector 30 round magazine- also from the L2- and some had an XM-148 grenade launcher mounted, as seen in one of the pictures higher up. To put it lightly, they are loud. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Another picture of a SASR guy in Vietnam. The GD folks would lose their minds if one suggested jeans and Chuck Taylors for tactical clothing. <a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/bfmc.jpg/" target="_blank">http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4530/bfmc.jpg</a> That's funny cuz French forces have issued Palladium "pataugas" since 1947, which are very much like Chucks- rubber sole and canvas upper. Sure, they'll fall apart after a few months of heavy use, but they are far lighter and more breathable than any boot, and they're meant to be semi-disposable. Actually, I've had mine for two years of very frequent use, and they hold up fine. I'd rather have my feet be nimble than wear a heavy boot if it can be helped. In the jungle, your feet are going to be wet anyway, so you may as well wear something that can let them breathe and dry, at least somewhat. I've seen recent pictures of SEALs conducting maritime operations (ship boarding) with Chucks. As previously stated, Aussie M-16's were drawn from US stocks. The "Bitch" SLR was designed to be absolutely overwhelming for immediate action drills when contact was made. The idea being that the team puts as much lead and explosives toward the enemy as possible in a short amount of time while making a carefully orchestrated withdrawal. They featured the chopped barrel lacking any muzzle device for more noise, L2 automatic rifle selector 30 round magazine- also from the L2- and some had an XM-148 grenade launcher mounted, as seen in one of the pictures higher up. To put it lightly, they are loud. 
The U.S. Navy issued UDT divers, a canvas crepe soled sneaker going back to WWII. AKA coral shoes. |
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Posted: 9/5/2013 2:48:49 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's funny cuz French forces have issued Palladium "pataugas" since 1947, which are very much like Chucks- rubber sole and canvas upper. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Another picture of a SASR guy in Vietnam. The GD folks would lose their minds if one suggested jeans and Chuck Taylors for tactical clothing. <a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/bfmc.jpg/" target="_blank">http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4530/bfmc.jpg</a> That's funny cuz French forces have issued Palladium "pataugas" since 1947, which are very much like Chucks- rubber sole and canvas upper. I was a rifleman in the USMC in the 1990s. At that time, recon guys and USN SEALs frequently wore Chuck Taylor's because they could wear swim fins with them. |
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Posted: 9/5/2013 4:20:43 AM EDT
[#24]
I may or may not have worn a black pair of these in the early 90's....cut the top tanker straps off it and they are really comfortable...  |
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Posted: 9/6/2013 6:04:04 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I may or may not have worn a black pair of these in the early 90's....cut the top tanker straps off it and they are really comfortable... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/rand2323/IMG_9391.jpg The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. |
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Posted: 9/7/2013 2:57:54 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I may or may not have worn a black pair of these in the early 90's....cut the top tanker straps off it and they are really comfortable... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/rand2323/IMG_9391.jpg The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. Glory. A colleague of mine wore Palladiums overseas when a lot of guys bought the newest flavor of boot every couple of months. I myself wore Chucks until it got cold. Chucks suck wen it's cold and you have to stay outside for more than five minutes. |
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Posted: 9/7/2013 4:15:22 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I may or may not have worn a black pair of these in the early 90's....cut the top tanker straps off it and they are really comfortable... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/rand2323/IMG_9391.jpg The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. I've been wearing a pair of their Pallabrouse Suedes for a year. They're freaking awesome and have held up great other than the factor laces are crap. |
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Posted: 9/7/2013 9:05:38 AM EDT
[#28]
A link to the FAL Files thread on "The Bitch"...
The Bitch, According to the FAL Files... I had read somewhere that the muzzle blast from the Bitch was confused with that from a .50, and this is why the VC tended to didi-mau when they heard it. A .50 in the area meant more troops or armor, neither of which were goods for your survival. |
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Posted: 9/7/2013 2:22:59 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've been wearing a pair of their Pallabrouse Suedes for a year. They're freaking awesome and have held up great other than the factor laces are crap. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I may or may not have worn a black pair of these in the early 90's....cut the top tanker straps off it and they are really comfortable... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h7/rand2323/IMG_9391.jpg The original, lower style is still available, in multiple colors, is comfortable, and around $40 to $60/pr. The NVA copied the French Pataugas for their troops. Imagine Chuck Taylors with a Vibram sole. I want to get a pair for this summer for a long desert trip. I've been wearing a pair of their Pallabrouse Suedes for a year. They're freaking awesome and have held up great other than the factor laces are crap. I saw that they have leather versions - I have a pair on my watch list on ebay - plan on buying them soon. Glad to hear this. My only worry is that they are about the same cost as Merrells (around $100) and I KNOW Merrells fit me really well and last... I think I'm going to try them though. |
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