Tropical Mess Kit?

[FestungSpanien]

I have had this WAL41 matching mess kit for years.
Is it the tropical pattern?
If so or not, what is the difference between the normal one and the tropical one?
Thanks pals
Ace

[FestungSpanien]

another shot

[CWP]

It appears to be the standard Wehrmacht issue. I am not sure if there may have been a tan painted one for tropical use.

[Michael N]

No, but could have been used there. Some field done tans ones are around, this one is standard.

[Glenn Barbaritz]

I actually just saw a very nice tan issued one go on ebay last week. it was matching maker/date and in my opinion a very nice find for someone. I was impressed as it was the best tan I ever saw. Glenn

[Michael Kuligowski]

what is the difference between the normal one and the tropical one?

thats a tuff question - unless You gonna get one tan overpainted straight from tunesia - its hard to tell a difference in trop/non trop one..

Willi Zahn has some nice ones in "tropical" color, - the truth is all these colors were issued to units on every front - some are more dark green.. some are light.. - same with canvas Y-straps or coconut canteens - all tropical - but seen more in Russia B/W pictures than africa ones...

You may call it a mess tin painted in tropical paint - but same paint is one the 1944 steel messtins...

there will be no mystake if You will put this one on africa manequinn - or continental one . I m pretty sure that early messtin in this color is more wanted and would bring better money :d

[Willi Z.]

I have never seen a tan one that has been factory original. To me, tropical mess kits are '41 or '42 dated, in aluminum and in a tan/olive color. They match the color of the true tropical canteens of the same dates. The problem is, while tan/olive was a tropical color in 1941 and 1942, it was more the frequently encountered after 1943. Bit, IMO, the color after 1943 was not as light.

I do think the one in question here is lighter than the norm for that period. But, it is "tropical", not sure.

[FestungSpanien]

Thanks pals
That is enough to me.......
Anybody with a spare tropical strap for this mess kit ? Paying of course
Ace

[Grubhy]

"[...]same with canvas Y-straps or coconut canteens - all tropical - but seen more in Russia B/W pictures than africa ones... "

I never saw any pictures from Africa with coconut canteens in use...Maybe somebody got any ???
Nice , mid war, mess kit!

[Michael N]

I actually just saw a very nice tan issued one go on ebay last week.

Post the link Glenn,
Thanks