eBay find: Dana Designs Flip

A fairly simple, stripped down DD pack from what I assume is the early, leather-patch days.

A few features I thought worth calling out; like several Dana packs the compression is one continuous strap with the buckles on the user side. Some Dana packs are tacked in the middle of the strap to keep it from wandering too much, but the plastic slots imply to me that this one is not. Also like many Dana packs the top ladderlock is set on a longer piece of webbing then the bottom, I assume there is a very good reason but I have not found it yet.

The panel layout (distinct and contrasting front and side panels) with the zippered top-loading is an obvious ancestor to the current Hill People Gear Ute and Umlindi packs, probably even more so then the continuous panel Kifaru Lateseason and Day Stalker that is easy to assume is the main source of DNA for their packs.

The backpanel is kept typically spare, with a slight flare at the bottom corners providing a bit of wrap around before turning into a simple web belt.

The bottom shows two things, the dimension in the lower portion of the pack is actually supplied by darts, and not panels, as most modern packs use. Also the wrap around in the bottom corners is encouraged by the bottom panel, allowing them to be stuffed and shaped with the pack contents if the user is patient and fastidious enough.

eBay find: Down East MOLLE panel

Another bit of new trickle-down surplus, I assume a specialized bit for breachers or other heavy-hauling tasks.

The core of the system appears to be a slip-over flat PALS panel for the 1606 frame with a standard MOLLE II hipbelt and shoulder straps.

Additional pouches came with the kit, their non-standard size implies a fairly specific use but they are certainly beyond my abilities to ID. The panel also seems to include an integrated cargo flap similar to many hunting packs.

Flat PALS panels are reasonably common for ALICE frames, which would normally be compatible with the 1606, but this one at least appears to be purpose built for the newer style frame and the picture is too cropped for me to guess if it is backwards compatible.