Welcome to the readers wives section of SAD, where military surplus and domestic harmony meet........it says here. Many websites seem to expound the benefits of 'dressing up' for various purposes and we at SAD see no reason why our site should be different, although they seem to use gas masks and lotion for different reasons, perhaps they have had training in Dutch NBC decontamination?...... 

Below is SAD G2's wife, Roz in an excellent example of NATO foul weather gear, cape enthusiasts will have spotted that it is the quality cut and excellent shaping of the VAL.MEHLER. AG model,issue date sept '84 

 While the quality bronze poppers stay corrosion free and allow two or more to be joined for larger gatherings........or what ever your taste runs to.....? 

OOOOh, suit you, Sir!

 Really, this finally does show that you can be feminine but practical with military surplus ( And don't you think Roz has lost a bit of weight recently...?)

Now, to this page' main theme, many of the communications received at SAD HQ are from situations where in a long term relationship, the male has kept SURPLUS APPRECIATION a secret from his wife, and the resultant catastrophe when she found out.....

Problem No1 a HUSBAND.....

From Mrs. A. W. of Pinner, Middlesex. "............. the heating had failed in the church hall, so I invited the W.I. and the Vicar back to our nicely situated semi, to continue an important Church Fete meeting. When I ushered them into the front room, we were confronted by the sight of my husband 'misbehaving' whilst wearing WW2 British Army underwear, a tin hat, a gas mask and reading Jane cartoons. Oh the shock, horror and humiliation of it! I nearly smashed my Capo-di-Monti collection as I struggled to force my oggling and giggling guests out of the door. I finally got them all out except the Vicar, who, with a strange expression on his face, insisted on staying 'to talk to your husband'.Oh dear, what can I do? I have not dared attend the W.I. and the Vicar is now a constant visitor, " To help your husband through his difficulties". They spend hours together in my husbands shed. Please help. Mrs. A. W.

Dear Mrs. A. W. In all situations like this it is best to talk. Remember sharing SURPLUS EXPERIENCES is perfectly acceptable behaviour between consenting adults. But if one partner is not involved in SURPLUS, ignorance and the resultant prejudice, may cause the perturbed partner to seek solace in the arms of 'another'. I suggest the following five point action plan".

1. Read a number of those Jane Cartoons for background information (try the local British Legion).

2. Purchase/make for yourself some clothes similar to Jane's, it will not cost a lot, she never wore much and make sure the stitching can be easily ripped.

3. Visit your nearest Surplus Store and obtain a WW2 kit catalogue.

4. Wearing your most revealing bit of Jane's wardrobe, present your husband with the catalogue and ask him to pick something for a 'special present'.

5. Resign from the W.I., you will not have the strength to carry on.

Well, Mrs A.W., and all those others who wrote in with similar problems, I trust this advice helps, do let us know how you get on.This advice service is available free in the interest of promoting SURPLUS, A HOBBY FOR ALL.

Capt (Retird) Aleoisheous Monk

In the next issue we will look at the problems associated with teenagers who like SURPLUS

SURPLUS WEB SEARCH. A new feature highlighting exceptional SURPLUS sites on the Web. http://www.allmilitarysurplus.com.A whole scrummy page on gas masks (its really, really nice).