Q: does this poncho double up as a basha?
A: Yes, you can tie the hood in the middle and use as a basha.
Q: What size does the poncho pack down to ?
A: This could be folded down to approximately 10" x 7" x 4".
Q: To What pattern is this poncho belong to? In what time period was this poncho used in the army.
Q: How heavy is the poncho?
A: It weighs just under 1kg.
A: It is approximately 54 inches by 81 inches.
Q: Is this waterproof and if so how?
A: It is fully waterproof, being a heavy duty vinyl-type material.
Q: Is the material made from canvas, nylon, cotton and if it is breathable?
A: It looks to be a synthetic nylon-like material. It is not breathable.
I backpacked a lot of National UK trails and to save weight and get more flexible, I tried out using two 58 pattern grade 1 ponchos on the Pennine Way in the 90s as an alternative to my normal 2.5kg 1 man with rucksack inside/2 man squeeze rucksacks outside tent. I slept under one as a basha or lean to when it was fair to fine, wearing one when it was wet But when it was foul weather and strong winds or when I was on a camp site, I combined them by studding together to form a large sheet 108" x 81" (274 cm x 206 cm), which was bigger than a basha. I could then fold and peg it to form a fully enclosed pyramid tent that I could sapport with a walking pole, or suspend from a tree branch, utilising half of the press studs for a door. Being nylon and vinyl here's a lot of unavoidable condensation, but that can be offset by opening one or two of the hoods. If the hood/s are kept open with a stick or attaching by line to a branch, this also allows you to light a stove or other heat source on bare ground and not worry about a flammable sewn in ground sheet, fumes or carbon monoxide build up. If you decide to buy, a squaddies tip:- It will still be waterproof, but a spray of WD 40 will help it's water repelling beading qualities when the original finish starts to wears off.
Used them in the army, very good for making a basha and generally keeping you dry.
I brought this poncho to put in my bag for when i go walking or get caught in the rain. It has come in so handy it was a great investment my son even uses it as a basha when he goes away with cadets.