1943 Life Raft Rations Army Air Force Survival MRE Tasting Test Vintage Radio & K Meal Unit Review 

I used to describe Steve as this crazy guy on RU-vid that eats old food. But now I've come to realize, Steve is a historian. Possibly one of the most prolific historians of military rations of our time. I think future students will go back and watch these videos to learn about military rations once you and I are long gone.

Holy moly he’s too generous giving us so many content in one month

Steve is the only guy I’d believe when I hear him say “I’ve chewed like 95 year old gum that’s been Better than this, it’s all dry”

The glucose and sucrose in the candy also combats shock and hypothermia and reduces shivering. The act of chewing will help keep you awake, which is good for people on watch at night in a raft and it helps keep your mouth wet with saliva which is beneficial for comfort. It’s a shame that they are no longer carried in liferaft/boat survival rations. I pack a bag of individually wrapped candies (jolly ranchers or lifesavers) in every lifeboat I work with and in my personal survival kit.

A whole HOUR of Steve? We have been BLESSED 🙌🏽 Nice.

15:30 This is what makes me keep coming back over and over to your videos. Taking time to actually explain the food science behind rations is a MASSIVE part of your appeal. I don't want to speak ill of others, but I'll just say your main draw is how much more detail, history, and food science you discuss in your videos over simply opening a ration and going "wow so cool" over every thing inside. This extra detail helps us understand the history, reason for the rations development, and how it might be used. We even get a human connection when we see all the little comfort items, or messages of encouragement a ration sometimes provides (like emergency rations). As always, NICE!

I was dying laughing when Steve said “it’s two months later and I ate all the candy” sweet content as always!

I guarantee that radio kit has never been filmed even partially anywhere on RU-vid before, and Steve was able to get the whole kit on film! What a documented Time Capsule!

Let’s just appreciate the fact that Steve managed to find a 1940’s radio pack. My grandpa, if he was still alive would adore this. He was stationed in Okinawa in 1945.

I sincerely love that Steve hasn't changed his style in all these years. It's almost comforting with how crazy the times can be.

Steve's the only person that can make me crave for 70 year old candies.

I have always enjoyed Steve's videos, but this one was an instant classic. Not only did we get multiple rations, we also got a lecture on survival nutrition and a look at a rare survival radio (my favorite part).

Steve is the only RU-vid channel where I can go back and watch a five year old video and it feels 100% consistent with new content.

I’m a nurse where I work it’s pretty hectic and fast paced, I watch these on my break to bring my stress levels down and help me feel grounded. It really helps, I love hearing about the history of the rations, how they are used and how the environment they are used in effects how it is used. I’m from the UK and a lot of these components I’ve never even heard of before. Compressed food bars, sounds like something from a sci-fi movie. I worked in a nursing home for a short while and looked after an airforce lad from world war 2, it was quite the privilege to hear his story and I can tell he needed to tell it. It’s sad not many people are willing to listen, it’s all very well watching a documentary but when you have someone who was actually there, wow gold dust! Anyhow Tks Steve, your a one of a kind gem thank you for all your hard work!

Trying to find a way to communicate to Steve about the dangers of handling the Gibson Girl radios - they have friable radium paint on the panel and ingesting even the dust can be harm

With all the stories I've heard about being on a life raft trying to survive I bet you would look at these things like gifts from God. Thanks for the plethora of updates Steve!🎉

When I started watching Steve many years ago, I never would've suspected his reviews would be more than good entertainment (Which they are). His content has me coming back time and again, because it has actually helped me through some hard times in my life, and feels like hanging out with a good friend. Just wanted to say a very big thank you, and I appreciate all you've done. You're the man Steve.

I lost a close friend only a few days ago. He adored your channel and was equally into MREs and similar things. I used to watch a few years ago but I forgot your channel name. I miss him dearly and MREs along with your videos were his favorite things. Thank you for making his life all that more enjoyable, he was the closest thing I had to a father, and I miss him dearly.

Great lesson on cellular respiration on this video, super fascinating and I've never seen any war/MRE historians break it down like that.

The in depth technical analysis of why they chose charms was amazing

I have always loved your stuff. I am a night shift nurse and I am surprised how many patients leave this on overnight as background. Simple comforting wholesomeness.

thanks for the informative and entertaining video! great job as always, Steve.

“The citric acid is bad for the mucous membranes if that’s all you’re eating…” As Steve continues to eat just Charms… I love this guy.

You’re the only MRE person I watch, when you were gone I was lost Steve. We missed you and I know other people felt the same way!

This man is the embodiment of making literally anything sound incredibly interesting. Much love from Canada!

this episode is super educational! we don't just get a field ration review, it's a whole food science lesson! Excellent work as always Steve!!

Your research and overall knowledge is impressive, brother. That vintage fishing kit was way too cool. Another great video! Thank you.

Man, not only a whole hour of MRE goodness, but even a free lesson in biology. Amazing!

Hey Steve, loved the video! Thought I would share something interesting you might wanna know. A lot of the lettering on the front of the gibson girls ( 45:25 ) was painted with UnDark Radium radioluminscent paint. I learned this when walking around a maker faire with a survey meter, and the local historical radio society had one on display. They were unaware of the radium. I haven't seen it well documented, but since its exposed its easily flaked off which could lead to accidental ingestion. My personal suggestion to the society was an application of some sort of varnish or nail polish to help seal it. Great video as always, love your content.

Ty for going beyond the MRE. That wa s a real treat to see the rest of the survival kit combined with your low key super cool way of making everything fun and enjoyable to watch. You are a treat to the interwebs!

Steve! Great work man, I love the quality every time that you put a video out like this. I can tell how much passion goes into these vids. It’s highly commendable

In the late 80s, in my civilian life boat survival school training, they taught us to NOT eat raw fish unless you had plenty of water to drink because it took more water to process it than you got from eating it. However, their explanation was just that - so thanks for the more detailed explanation! Are there any records of the liferaft kit being used by a crew that was rescued or is it more of a "give you hope" thing that never really worked.

I served in the marine corps infantry back in 2011 and yea, if you got a pack of charms in an MRE, it was custom to throw them away because the “bad luck” that could befall you or your fireteam. There wasn’t many in them anymore but occasionally would come across a pack. Old superstition probably started back in ‘Nam or something lol. Great video,man!

Just wanted to say that I’m going through a lot right now (as I’m sure many of us are) and I appreciate these videos deeply. Thanks for doing what you do, man!

It was an honor to witness Steve bringing to light a wealth of genuine history, unseen for the past 80 years

That radio kit was an absolute treat to see. I love seeing items that represent fundamental stepping stones in technology. Wild to think we can now just use a satellite phone with built in encryption to recover a life raft.

The fact that Steve is putting out this many videos has both exciting and scary. I hope he doesn’t take a three year hiatus.

Was always curious about life raft rations from this period, you never cease to amaze, Steve!

Let's be honest, I'm sure we could all write the equivalent of a college thesis on why we love Steve. I'll just say that his knowledge but moreso his soft spoken enthusiasm of his ...(business, hobby, both?) is really unsurpassed. Love that he's back. Even my wife is using his phrase when she's serving dinner. "We're gonna get these chicken and dumplings out into a bowl....Nice".

Steve you really outdid yourself with this one! Not only is it an hour of rations, but also educational aspects of metabolic processes and a radio demonstration?! Thanks for what you do man, it means a lot to all of us.

An hour of Steve after a day that kicked my ass and a night in which I was told that my uncle was in the ER as a result of a probable stroke is just what the doctor ordered. Watching these videos reminds me of when I first got into military rations back in high school, and I asked my parents for a case of MREs for Christmas my senior year. I cracked a couple of them open with the uncle who is in the hospital right now, and given that he eats pretty much whatever you put in front of him, he shared in my enjoyment of them. He especially liked the Mexican Style Chicken Stew, which is also my favorite. Anyway, Steve, if you’re reading this, you’re awesome. Your videos have been a mainstay of my RU-vid feed for six years now, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Thank you. UPDATE: Thank you for your kind words everyone. My uncle is in stable condition, and despite the symptoms of a stroke being present, he didn’t have one. He has pneumonia and an infection in his leg, but otherwise he seems to be ok.

In 2017 I was suffering from insomnia and somewhat of a mild depression. Every day and night I was frantically searching and hoping to find the song or the video that will get me to sleep or calm my thoughts down enough just to get a 5 minute blackout, but to no effect. Until I found Steve with his voice and amazing content. First night I blacked in and out multiple times during a couple of videos until I fell asleep for a couple of hours. The rest of the days and nights, well I dont need to say it because I watched since then almost all his videos and remained a loyal subscriber and hardcore fan. In the past week I had trouble sleeping again, and as always Steve's videos came in handy! Tx Steve !!

At 12:15, Steve realizes that he forgot to "get this out onto a tray" before he started to open the candy. I love it! Nice!

Super cool you visually show and explain why basic carbs are the best in a situation like being stuck on a raft. For how little food there is to actually try I'd say it's probably one of my favorite episodes you've made so far.

It's always mind blowing to see 80 year old rations that are so well preserved.

That radio is so awesome. The fact that’s it’s ergonomically designed to be held between your legs for stability while cranking is pretty cool. An extremely well thought out and planned kit. Nice.

Steve is the legend we didn’t know we needed. Such a gem to listen to and watch. He always comes out when it seems I need it most

This guy is contributing so much to history by documenting these meals and food items people would eat during the war when the internet was not even a word. For generations to come to witness these things on video.

A whole hour? Heck yeah dude right on! Always such joy to watch your videos, whenever there's a new one it makes my day! Cheers!

There's nothing better than eating dinner and watching an entire hour of Steve

This man could review a 2x4 for 3 hours and I’d still watch every second of it.

STEVE MY MAN KEEP PUMPING EM OUT WE ALL LOVE YOUR CONTENT

I can’t tell you how happy I was to see you look through that radio kit Steve

This is one of the best history lessons as to why survival and combat rations matter as much as they do today. It's lessons learned from prior engagements that have produced the complex and highly formulated rations that are in use today. It's also interesting to see how we have moved on from natural substances to synthetically modified versions. Thanks again Steve1989MREInfo!

This was fantastic! In 1966, my father (USAF) gave me one of those kites, which I enjoyed flying for quite a few years. I kept wanting to tell you through the screen...to pop those 'x' braces outward to tension the kite fabric. Then it takes on a proper shape and is ready to fly. She's a very stable flyer in a strong breeze. No tail required. Thanks for the memory Steve 👍

Watching these is like eating chocolate, I can’t get enough.

Loved the food science lesson btw! Did truly not know that we produced water in the process of digesting food, ho interesting! Thanks, great content as usual!

Loving it. More MREs please

An hour of nice. There isn't a better channel or one deserving of so much success. Thanks, Steve!

Great episode. Those radios were commonly available as recently as the 1990s from places like Fair Radio, but they’re very scarce now. I’m impressed you found one, especially with all the accessories.

Steve, loves this video. So much historical information. You can tell you did your research! Just a cool take I like when you do videos on other supplies/survival kits they are just as interesting as the MRE stuff!

just in time for another steve1989mreinfo classic. thank the good lord above.

I really enjoy these videos. It's one passionate guy and a camera, and some cool bumper music, talking about the history of military rations. This is the stuff that RU-vid was made for! Thank you for sharing your passion with us, Steve.

Babe wake up! Steve just posted an MRE video!

Steve's knowledge about food science and history is just brilliant.

I come bearing news. I have finally, after 5 years and 2 different goggle accounts of watching Steve's videos, gotten to have my first MRE. A Menu 20, the Italian sausage and such. Must say. **Nice.**

The Gibson Girl was a beast. Cranked a SOS T T T signal on around 500kHz. There was a push button for hand sent CW for those who could. The frequency, which was chosen in the days of Marconi, became the first international distress signal frequency. It was monitored by ships at sea & coast marine telegraph stations until just a few years ago. Supposedly it is illegal to fire those beasts up ‘cause of the ‘automated’ SOS sent by turning the crank. Quite the find.

I wonder if Steve would appear on Tasting History, if Max cooked up a ration menu using old ingredients lists from decayed cans & Steve brought along the components that survived. Making a complete ration menu to review. That would be, nice.

Can we just get a moment to appreciate Steve's music, it's definitely unique, it's a bit less obtrusive than it used to be, but it really add a complex, dare I say decedent aspect to these reviews, it wouldn't be the same without the music.

Steve back at it again! Nice

Cool, so this is what my grandpa and grand uncles had back then... I'm glad Steve is more active, and this time with a treat. An hour long of his chill review. :)

Steve is amazing never any ADs no reveiwing stuff that is sent to him no monetising the channel or selling out just his passion for MRE's and him finding the best stuff from all over the world to show us.. Amazing Inwould have sold out by now for sure.. These video's are amazing steve.

This is an unbelievable delve into not just survival food, but tools for survival used during the war. What an amazing find and fascinating video.

good video

I remember when I visited my grandmother in the village, and she dropped some serious wisdom on me. She said “Grandson, one day some people will waste their time reading your comment.” Today is that day

That radio has such an incredible design, a real work of art beyond its function.

EAT IT

Thanks Steve for all the uploading lately...Nice...

Love the careful presentation of the candies on the tray, aesthetically pleasing, symmetrical, that's the kind of professionalism we've come to expect from Steve.

*ALL GLORY AND PRAISES TO MRE JESUS*

Hell yeah man, love your videos

I was really frustrated by you not opening one of the last packets of Charms with the colorful wrapper inside, it appears they had added the Grape flavor along with the original four: Lemon, Lime, Orange and Cherry? Please let me know. I WISH we could get the Charms Pops like we used to love in the late '60s. They were the greatest. I have tried to find them online, but they are no more, it appears.

Another terrific video. Really fascinating to hear your explanation of the metabolic water qualities of different food groups and their critical importance in assessing the contents of survival rations in WW2 and beyond. Excellent as always, thank you Steve.

Glad to see the videos again! Thanks!

I have a huge urge to try some 80 year old candy now. I looked up charms squares and possibly they aren't making them anymore but other charms candies are still made by Tootsie roll which bought charms. Interestingly, last the square charms were made it was listing all artificial flavorings and colorings, whereas these military rations had some natural flavorings. I can only imagine how much better the natural ones were. It's like moon pies, today they use a nasty waxy coating on them but way back in the day they were covered in real chocolate and used as a meal replacement for the working class.

My autism loves how thorough you are in every video you do. I've watched every one. Some ive watched multiple times over the years. By far and away one of my favorite humans. You are much appreciated Steve.

What a wonderful way to end the night. Thank you for the amazing content. It really helps bring the mind into a nice, peaceful place.

Wow, even I got excited when I saw the quality of those Charms. Looks brand new. That container was stored so well.

You pack so much actual content into an MRE review - history, psychology, metabolic analysis, survival nutrition! And people will be watching this years from now to see what went into those rations.

Having so much Steve content is honestly such a treat. And this video was especially a treat, I cannot attest for everyone, but seeing the "Gibson Girl" was truly something special. Well, I hope you're having fun with all of these, and are taking care ^^.

Oh wow, ive been really curious about both ketosis and how much water fat metabolizes into (didnt know carbs and protein give it too!) a lot lately but didn't quite know where to research it nor went out of tye way to try do so and BOOM, the NICEman answers it all just like that! Awesome video, and big thanks!

Yo Steve... I'm so Glad to have you back brother!! Feels like home!! Hope we'll get some more vintage smokes to try again soon dude! Much Love

What an absolute gem of a video Steve! I love the regular MRE content but these specials with whole kits are something else! What a way to start my day, Nice!

When I took basic training in the Army in 1969 I remember us eating out of C-ration kits that had cans stamped with canning dates as far back ae the 1942/43 era. We were advised to inspect the cans for signs of bulging, that would indicate bacterial contamination, and for signs of rust perforation but there was never any problem with the food. It looked and tasted as if it had been canned the day before. There was usually a mini pack of unfiltered cigarettes with each C-rat kit, since everybody smoked back in those times. I was a nonsmoker and would trade my cigarettes for somebody else's can of fruit cobbler.

Man you're that cool kid with all the awesome toys and I'd kill to hang at your place haha. You've got an epic museum building up there mate thanks for sharing all these amazing pieces of history

Another incredible insight into the development of rations and strategic resource management during and immediately after the war! Thank you for the amazing content you produce! I really thought you were going to fly that kite for a second.

Steve got hooked up recently! I love seeing how many people are as excited as I am to share in his joy and passion 🙏 Thank you Steve, and thank you to everyone who supports him!!

This was like a whole story! I really have to wonder if that kite-balloon thing ever actually saved anyone's life. Feels like the kind of thing that can go wrong 100 different ways.

This is one of the most in depth videos ive seen on MREs and equipment used back in the day. Just over halfway through. NICE!

this video is incredible. I feel like most people won't appreciate how insane it is that you not only got these 3 rations on camera at once, but opened them. True labor of love