Romanian Plash-palatka Rain Cape/Shelter Half, Camouflage, Surplus

The Romanian "Plash-Palatka" is just like the Soviet original but camouflaged - perhaps only for the reason its TWO armholes would remain hidden from the Soviet authorities. Old school cotton shelter halves are getting rarer by the day, get yours now!

This age-old design can be used as a groundsheet, shelter half, rain/camouflage cape, stretchers, or a top layer for sleeping bag/blanket - you can even make a sort of a raft from these. In almost every use it's just a tad too small on its own, part of the rugged charm!

Looks like the model has stayed the same over the course of years, common nominators being camouflage, plastic toggle buttons, surprisingly well-punched brass grommets, and the rather strong odor from the insect repellent used to treat these. This will probably dissipate in use.

The camouflage pattern is the Romanian "Mozaic" style woodland camo, with two model variations which we won't differentiate. You get either one.

Where have all the capes gone?

The Plash is the king of capes! When it's used as a cape, one corner works as the hood - note the drawcords which you use to tighten both hood and the "collar". Then you fold the opposite corner inside and button it up (the buttonholes on the corner line up with the toggle buttons on the center of the tarp). Now you can button up the front as little or as much as you like, depending on if you want to look like a heroic defender of the Motherland or a sad camouflaged cone creature (but better protected from the elements).

When worn as a cape, you might notice there are ACTUAL POCKETS under the armholes on the inside.

Dimensions and exciting details!

• Measures about 180 x 180 cm (70 x 70")
• Weight some 1,4 kg (about 3 lbs)
• No other exciting details, the product is perfect.

Material

Made from very tightly woven and impregnated wind- and waterproof cotton. The fabric seems even denser than on the Soviet equivalent.

When you have wandered the realm long enough to wear the water repellent treatment down, you can use fabric wax to reproof it!

Romanian army surplus

Most are in totally unissued condition, but we reserve the right to say some examples may well be just slightly used. These might have some insect repellent treatment that might be hazardous to cats! We do not know for sure but consider yourselves warned.

Availability is quite poor, we cannot promise a restock once these are gone.