How to Assemble your Tropical Rucksack Frame

When you acquire your rucksack it may be in its separate components. Putting it together for the first time can cause some headaches. This section helps you on your way by explaining how to assemble the different types of rucksacks you are likely to be using when doing re-enactment. It also suggests how to attach your extra equipment and pack your rucksack if you are going out on any missions.

Frame Components

Your lightweight rucksack and frame are made up of the following components:

Aluminium Frame
Two Shoulder Straps (Left one quick release)
Upper Back Strap
Middle Back Strap (Early models do not have the middle horizontal strap)*
Lower Back Strap
Waist Strap
Two Vertical Cargo Straps

*Note that in the picture above the frame is equiped to use a middle back strap, the small metal tabs to retain the strap in place are present on the frame, but the strap is not mounted.

Attaching the Shoulder Straps

Left shoulder strap

Right shoulder strap with quick release

You should have two shoulder straps similar to the ones pictured above. The left shoulder strap has a quick release device, whilst the right strap does not.

At the bottom end of either straps is a loop. Thread this around the outer bar of the frame and then around the strap itself. Then pull until it tightens itself.

At the top of the frame are four frame loops. The outer two are for the vertical cargo straps and the inner two are for attaching the rucksack shoulder straps.
Face the frame so that the curved side, i.e. the side that goes against your back, is towards youself. Thread the upper shoulder strap around the outside of the upper bar of the frame and through the inner riveted loop. Secure it through the shoulders strap’s buckle. Adjust to fit.

Attaching the Upper and Middle Back Straps

Face the frame so that the shoulder straps are away from you. The upper back strap is secured between the two riveted clips visible in the picture above. Thread the strap between two aligning placements, so that the buckle is towards you. Thread the one end through the clip and secure. Secure the extra webbing flap by fastening the snaps.

Attaching the Lower Back and Waist Straps

The lower back strap is arranged around the rucksack frame as pictured above. Face the rucksack so that the curved side is away from yourself. Wrap the strap around the frame and secure with the buckle. Adjust to fit. To attach the waist strap (Not pictured) secure both ends in a similar way to the shoulder straps on the same frame part as the lower back strap. Adjust to fit.

Attaching the Cargo (Chape) Straps

To assemble the vertical cargo straps first attach the upper frame buckle chapes through the two outer loops, remember the inner two loops are for the shoulder straps. While facing the curved side away from you, thead the looped end of the chape through the buckle and round the upper frame bar. Loop over the other end and pull tight. The cargo straps attach in the same way to the buckles on the middle frame bar. The cargo straps are pulled upwards to secure on the chapes own buckles.

The Lightweight Tropical Rucksack has several key features:

Pouch Flap (With Map Compartment)
Nylon Drawstring
Three Cargo Pockets
2 Hangers A & B
Frame Securing Strap
Canteen Securing Strap
Pouch Reinforcement Straps