[TML] Personal Armor Noise was Re: Current USAF fleet

[Tom B]

>  > 1) Hard to get into on your own (there is a lesson for combat armour
>  > and battle dress lurking herein)
>
>  Not that bad. And there are tricks to make it easier.

I would not be trying to get into it while someone was stabbing me.
It's not that quick. It's quicker than the multi-part armours you have
to don, but it still takes a goodly wiggle to get in. And while you're
wiggling, someone could do just about anything to you.

>  > 2) Be bald or else have a cloth cap. The links grab and pull out hair. Ouch.
>
>  The "arming cap" is usually part of the padding that goes on under
>  the mail.

Yes, but it isn't just an optional accessory! :0)

>  > 3) The weight sits on the shoulders (40 lbs on the shoulders....
>  > argh). You can do some neat tricks though, like gather up a 'chainmail
>  > potbelly' and then tighten a wide belt around your waist which the
>  > potbelly overhangs. This helps distribute some portion of the weight
>  > to the hips.
>
>  I found it much easier to deal with than a much lighter pack.

Whereas I've carried 40 pound backpacks and found them easier to bear
than the chainmail. After five to ten minutes, my shoulders were
aching. The packs, for whatever reason, didn't seem to feel the same
pressure along the tops of the shoulders. YMMV (and apparently does).
I'd take my old backpack (or one of the even better newer ones) over
the chainmail at any point.

On the other hand, with proper underpadding, I'll bet it makes a fair
mockery of many bludgeoning weapons and most slashing weapons.