Ever Customised Your Military Kit?

Personnel from all branches of the military have long traditions of customising and personalising their kit. 

Here are some of our favourite examples. If you have personalised some of your kit, why not tell us about it in the comments. 

The Royal Navy's Minion

Little known fact: there's a Minion on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

One marine engineer painted the Despicable Me movie character last month.

The new unofficial mascot is the latest in a long-running Navy tradition of personalising commissioned ships.

A Commando Chaplain's 'God Quad'

A Royal Navy Commando Chaplain deployed to Afghanistan was providing support to military personnel, travelling across Camp Bastion on a pimped-out quad bike.

Reverend Stuart Hallam (47), originally from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, is one of only a handful of Commando trained Chaplains in the Royal Navy.  

The quad bike was affectionately dubbed the 'God Quad'. 

RAF Nose Art

The long tradition of painting characters on the nose of aircraft was picked up by the RAF from the Americans in World War II. 

In 2007, risque paintings of women were banned by the RAF. 

Below is an example of nose art on a Tornado jet posted by the RAF in 2011. 

Sam Browne VC

Sam Browne was a British army officer who served in India during the 19th Century. 

He was badly injured whilst charging a cannon in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and lost his left hand - leaving him unable to draw his sword.

So Browne had to invent a belt that would hold his scabbard in place. The resulting rig is now a key part of modern dress uniform (seen worn by Prince Charles below).

Read more about the Sam Browne belt here.

Make Do and Mend Colonials

The iconic British colonial 'pith' helmet was designed to help keep the wearer cool. 

When first issued, the hats were made from white cloth - not exactly the most camouflaged colour. 

During the Anglo-Zulu War, British soldiers solved that problem by dying them with tea.

Khaki variants became a standard issue before long.

Grenade Pull Rings On Smock Zips

This one is so widespread that you probably do it yourself or at least no someone who does.

It's often said that the reason people attach their grenade pull rings to zips on their smocks is that the zip is easier to find when wearing gloves.

...But we all know that it's because they think it makes them look Ally. 

Have you customised some of your military kit/vehicles? Let us know in the comments... And send us a picture! (We won't tell your Regimental Quartermaster)