Backpack III

Still unable to locate anywhere the Blackhawk Slimline Backpack used in the show.

I have found what might be the most reasonable alternative. Reasonable in terms of look, but not price.

This is the X-3 Raptor, found at www.copsplus.com priced at just under $250.00. Even with free shipping, that's a purchase my wife is really going to balk at for a costume accessory.

Still, if you gotta have it, you gotta have it. This pack is pretty nice, and has two pockets on one side, one on the other. That means if you can live with it not being completely canon, you won't have the headaches of converting the M16 pouches you'd have if you did find a Slimline somewhere. Bear in mind, even though all the websites still listing the Slimline at $74-$79 are Out of Stock and you'd likely end up paying more than $250 to get someone to part with their "collectible" item if you did find one some place.

Here is the product description:

Blackhawk X-3 RAPTOR Pack
The latest in free fall and static line jumpable packs, the X3 R.A.P.T.O.R. is made with heavy-duty 1000 denier nylon with quad-stitched seams and trim-taped edges. This ruck has it all! The main compartment has three securing cinch straps, two horizontal and one centered vertically. Drain holes are provided for each compartment for maximum efficiency during maritime operations.

• Includes 100 oz. HydraStorm™ Hydration System
  
• Ventilating back panel
  
• Built-in jump harness with heavy-duty parachute webbing
  
• Built-in drop line pouch and routing system
  
• Fully accessible main compartment
  
• Silent zipper pulls
  
• Webbing on outside of pack for modular gear attachment
  
• Main Compartment: 23.5"H X 13.5"W X 9"D
  
• Front Pocket: 20"H X 10.5"W X 3.5"D
  
• Right Side Pocket: 15"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Upper Left Side Pocket: 8.5"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Lower Left Side Pocket: 6.5"H X 4"W X 2"D
  
• Overall Cubic Inches: 3,830
  
• Approximate Weight: 6.8 lbs
  

So, there you have it. I'm saving my pennies and keeping secrets. I think this is the pack I'm going to go with.

The thing about canon is that we're talking about a TV show here, and a storyline that spans ten years. I think that allows you some leeway, and I'm going to consider anything that might be used by the actual US military to be fair game, whether it ever appeared on the show or not.

For example, I just got a screenworn away jacket from the show. Because it was made in Candada by a costume shop, the zipper is backwards from most US military wear. Does that mean that only jackets with backwards zippers are canon? I certainly wouldn't want to impose that restriction.

Anyway, if you find a better backpack alternative than the X-3, let me know. I'll be grateful, especially if you find it before I save up the $250!

Backpack II

In doing some more research, I found a discussion regarding the backpacks on Scifi.com forums. "Captain Carboard" says in the forum that the backpacks used by the teams is the "Blackhawk Omega Streamline Load Bearing Pack that was modified with extra pouches. Here are some images of the backpack and the pouches:

He says that they attached M16 mag pouches, four of them, to the sides. He wasn't sure what the two large pouches were made from. The M16 pouches look like this:

Unfortunately, Blackhawk no longer makes the Streamlined LBP (Load Bearing Pack), and so it is (like so much SG costume material) nearly impossible to find. Captain Cardboard says that a company called Eagle makes a copy, but that was years ago, and I've been unable to locate it. They may have discontinued it also.

You, like myself, are probably going to have to make do with the Blackhawk Day Pack from the previous post...if you can find one of those. I think that sticking the M16pouches on the other backpack should help improve the look.

UPDATE: I located a seller of these backpacks, or so it seems.

The company is selling them for around $80. My order was just over $90 with shipping. The description is as follows:

BlackHawk 60SLBP
This pack can be attached to your vest or H-gear with our quick disconnect kit (included) or act as a back pack with our Detachable Shoulder Straps (63SS00). The inside has a cinchable draw string liner and the outside has compression straps for complete gear storage. The cover flap has a pouch and 25 ft of 550 cord to act as a lanyard for your pack. The lid is secured by silent side release buckles. Made with our all new Nytaneon materials! CamelBak Compatible. The outside has slotted webbing for extra gear attachment using military Alice clips (HMAC04).
Dimensions: 15 1/2" x 13" x 3 1/2"

SLBP stands for Streamlined Load Bearing Pack, which I think, is what we've been looking for. Again, I'll let you know if I get the pack or a backorder notice.

Backpack

This is a good shot of the backpacks from the show. I have not been able to find exact replicas of these, but the closest I have come is the backpack below, as recommended by several Stargate uniform sites.

It is possible that this backpack is the one used on the show, but modified with extra packs. You can see the canteen holder on the right side as well. It might also be the image above, from Season 1, is not the same backpack as was used in later episodes. As I slowly move through the DVDs doing screencaps and attempting to recreate the uniforms, I'll let you know what I find out.

In any event, this pack is pretty close.

The above image is an example of the BlackHawk Special Operations Day Pack. You can find the following description at this website: www.copsplus.com, but you won't find the backpacks. They are discontinued and out of stock.

The BlackHawk day pack is the ideal way to carry your gear directly on your vest or H-harness. Made of 1000D Nytaneon nylon. The back of the pack has 3/8" closed cell foam for added comfort and flotation, if used in maritime situations. Formed elastic on the bottom of the pack holds extra gear.

Now, as of today, I did find the packs in both OD and Black at this site: www.rstacticalgear.com

The packs are are around $60 each. You'll need to buy the H-harness separately, though usually the packs are attached to the tac vest in later episodes. I ordered one tonight from them, will let you know if it arrives or I get a back order notice.

In the pilot, however, it is clear that the H-harness is woodland camo. This leads me to believe that the backpack in the pilot is similar to the one I just purchased moments ago on eBay:

I think given the other "off the rack" surplus of the uniforms in the pilot before SG Teams were formed and they got their own patches and uniforms, it is a safe bet that what Carter and O'Neill are wearing is a standard Alice pack with frame in woodland camo and a 3-color desert camo cover drawn over the pack. Fortunately for me, in my very cheap eBay purchase, the camo cover comes with!

I consulted with my friend, the one who spurred on this new wave of doing stuff for Science Fiction, who has a military background.

He told me the technical name for the cover is "desert backpack cover".

Smarty.

You can probably find them easily at most surplus stores or a Google search. I'm told they make excellent spare tire covers for your Jeep. Not having a Jeep, I'll take that on faith, but seems like a good idea!

I got it for $20 with $14 shipping from A-Z Army Navy Military Surplus