Real men wearing kilts

[Mike_Oettle]

Richard, it may just be that the camera’s distance from the squaddies has foreshortened the detail, but it looks to me as if the bayonets are in danger of shaving (or slicing) the face of the man behind.
I am grateful that when I was a school cadet and drilled with old .303 rifles (the works had been removed) held at the slope, we did not use bayonets, as this was a worry even then.
When I was in the military, we carried our rifles upright, thanks to the pistol grip that is characteristic of the FN 7.62mm rifle and its South African counterpart, the R1. Our bayonets were quite sharp (especially at the point), but did not look as lethal, either.
With regard to the second picture, I am surprised to see so many men in slip-slops (as we call that type of sandal). When I was in an operational area, we were under strict orders to keep our boots on almost all the time (we could relax with our shirts off, but trousers and boots were de rigeur).
All the same, I wish we had been able to wear kilts in that hot country. We had left our tartan kilts at home.
Regards,
Mike

[Bruce Scott]

A case of foreshortening I think. Here's a view of some Scots Guards at the slope:
9199304457_4159d275c5.jpg

[OC Richard]

Yes the traditional manual-of-arms looks odd with those bullpup things.

[James Hood]

Personally, 'would not be at all surprised if the parade rifles in at least 1 photo were those fake, 1-piece moulded resin things.

[Ducky]

Personally, 'would not be at all surprised if the parade rifles in at least 1 photo were those fake, 1-piece moulded resin things.

Nope those are the real deal with covers to protect the scope and forestock. I've been in the Canadian Armed Forces for 32 years and I've only seen the "fake" version once! It was being used for a battle fitness test (13km march with rucksack, helmet, webbing and weapon) It weighs the same as the real one and it was being thrown at me by a "friend" which kind of freaked me out till it bounced, then I went WTH !!!