Sewing load panel for Mystery Ranch Nice Frame

 

A decommissioned Mystery Nice frame from Australian army

I picked up this decommissioned Mystery Ranch (MR) nice some years back on ebay Australia. I believe it is from the Australian army. It is in really bad shape. There were straps missing, buckles busted and the entire pack has obviously been used a LOT. While waiting for the parangs from Sarawak Old Man to arrive, I thought's I would spend some time sewing up a load carrier for this pack (MR calls it the load sling). 

Cutting off some buckles

Removed both the male buckles on this side with the Dremel

I am not sure if all MR Nice Frames are configured this way. They probably have a reason for doing this. Perhaps the female buckle of whatever system the pack was originally designed for is adjustable. In any case, I dont have such a buckle. But I do have some ITW military repair buckles. Cut the old ones off with a Dremel and I am all set!

Cordura fabric from Indonesia

Probably not the real stuff but way better than the other ones I have purchased from Indonesia

Real cordura fabric is just way too expensive to buy and ship in from the USA. I have resorted to just buying from Indonesian sellers on Shopee. They claim its cordura but it is most unlikely. But somethings we just gotta take the chance. And the recent gamble purchase I did turned out ok. Probably not the real stuff still but good enough for my needs. 

Load panel for MR Nice Frame- the design

Fabric is sooo expensive, so...gotta think twice before each cut

The thing I hate about this MR pack is the weight. It is heavy! To be honest, just the frame alone is enough to give up on doing anything to the pack. But having it and not doing anything with it seems like a bigger lost. So, I did some research on the internet and came up with the same concept with one major modification to it. A deep pocket on the front of the load panel!

More to come!