Mashsig Posted August 19, 2013 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2013 The "Starter, Fire NP3, M2" called by some the "napalm fire starter" apparently began in WWII as the emergency Fire Starter E7R1. This is a screen grab of the first paragraph of the documents summary page - a pdf file of a declassified Wright Pat Program that details a Cold Test performed in the Early 1950s on the E7R1 to determine if a "smaller" version would be suitable for inclusion in all Vests and Kits. (To get a copy of this document run the following search on Google: Fire Starter E7R1 --and the government site that has a free pdf version should come up.) Unfortunately the document was scanned from a photo copy and the photos are useless. Apparently there is a hardcover book out there - probably published by one of the contractors that was involved in the program. I will post some photos of the Starter Fire NP3, M2 as soon as I can find them. If you have never seen this unique Survival kit item - a seller in Australia just sold one on eBay and he provided some great photos of the box and the device. (run the following search on Google: Starter Fire NP3, M2 -- and it will come up. The Starter Fire NP3, M2 was still in the Army's inventory for MASH units until just a couple of years ago. It was issued in the Air Force SRU-19/P Chaps that were used by Bomber pilots until the SRU-21/P was issued. I have talked to some AF vets who reported that their original issues SRU-21/P vests with C-1 Vest snaps had the NP3, M2 fire starters. These Fire Starters are as hard to find now for the collector as the SRU-21/P fire starter, butane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted August 19, 2013 Share #2 Posted August 19, 2013 Pretty neat! I have a bunch of documents on that development of a fire starter. The AAF was trying to figure something out for years prior to that July 1944 recommendation. It started as camphor , then solidified hydrocarbon then the tabs they developed for the C-1. When I run across them I will set them aside and see what I can compile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mashsig Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted August 20, 2013 Awesome! That would be great. I had forgotten about this document - that I found by accident when I was researching the information on the butane lighters many years ago. When I posted it today to start this topic - I saw the date and wondered if you might have info on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mashsig Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted August 20, 2013 I forgot seeing the following photo in post # 19 on this Forum which show the box and the M2 out of the box: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/112189-us-army-aviation-life-support-equipment/?hl=%2Bsurvival+%2Bkits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted August 21, 2013 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2013 I have seen some of these fire starters in museums with red print on the box and some with black or blue print. I believe 4 were required for the SRU-21/P vest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mashsig Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted August 21, 2013 Northcoastaero, That sounds about right - because I believe that was how many the SRU-19/P Survival Chaps had. I have also seen several box types - 1 bright and shiny with as you indicated different color print and one that was "reduced" - black or dark green on OD background. I am still tracking mine down so I can take some photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted December 11, 2013 Share #7 Posted December 11, 2013 Here a couple pictures of a five pack from my collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted December 11, 2013 Share #8 Posted December 11, 2013 Ok still trying to get the picture thing down.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted December 11, 2013 Share #9 Posted December 11, 2013 The single fire starter box shown in this picture is a reproduction. I believe the instructions on the upper firestarter which came with the box are reproduction also. The dealer I purchased this from was honest enough to tell me that when I purchased it. I can't find my original single firestarter box to post as a comparison. The bottom fire starter is original. The instruction info is like a decal rather then a paper sticker. The bright white box is the give away and also the red ink does not adhere to the box quite as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted December 11, 2013 Share #10 Posted December 11, 2013 We had them available in the US Army Alaska/172nd Infantry Brigade through the 1970s and 1980s. I always had several in my survival vest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Survival Posted December 16, 2013 Share #11 Posted December 16, 2013 Here is an original firestarter next to a partial reproduction. The original on the left has a decal type label on the firestarter while the firestarter on the rights label has been printed on adhesive paper. The box on the right is a reproduction. Apparently a dealer obtained a number of original firestarters less labels and boxes and had replacements made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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