Hi Chris,

Were the 'Gum blankets' similar to the British Army Pattern 58 Poncho



These ponchos were cheap, heavy, durable, rubberised, horrible clammy affairs. The 'Gum blankets' were used in the hot humid wet conditions in Vietnam. If these are in anyway similar to the 58 pattern poncho the users would have probably ended up wetter underneath the poncho. The newer MVP poncho is actually not very lightweight. Weighs about 900 grams. The material is similar to the heavier weight highly durable Taslan type Goretex.