Ultimate picnic basket project

[Lynn]

A few times over the years I've run across pictures of military surplus "officer's mess kit"s (containing just tableware, not cookware), and always thought they were pretty cool. Especially the Civil War ones. And I'm sure something similar sets on safaris over the years, but I don't know what to search for.

So, do any of you know of pix of these types of kits?

I would like to build such a kit, and I want it to be something that my girls would someday like to inherit. Something more classy than GI-surplus stainless, but, of course, more durable (and lighter) than china and crystal.

Recommendations for each piece are welcomed. For instance, somewhere on another thread someone* mentioned that it is hard to clean grease off of Lexan, so it's not good for plates. However, I think Lexan would be great for glasses.

I'm thinking a service for four, including:

Glasses (Lexan stemware)
Dinner Plates (what about melamine?)
Soup Bowls (what about melamine?)
Flatware (stainless forks, spoons, serrated knives)
Salt/Pepper Shakers (mini grinders?)
Tea set? I'm not English. Maybe cups or mugs for coffee/cocoa
??

I'm thinking of putting it all in a box that splits in two, so that the box can be used for wash/rinse tubs. The box should probably be stainless or aluminum so the dishwater can be heated in it.

The tableware would be in a removable holder that keeps them from rattling, but also doubles as a dish drainer. Does that make sense? After washing the tableware, it gets put in the drainer. Then when everything is dry the loaded drainer goes into the two-piece box for storage/transport.

Then some time down the road I'll build a 'patrol box' for all the cooking stuff.

*sorry, my quick search didn't cough up the post so I could give proper credit

 

[Tucson T4R]

This is what I have stocked in my trailer for camping (plus nested cookware, collapsible strainer, cutting board, and cutlery).

Glasses (Lexan stemware) (these get pretty scratched up from transport)
Dinner Plates (melamine)
Soup Bowls (melamine)
Flatware (stainless forks, spoons, serrated knives)
Salt/Pepper Shakers
Double walled SS mugs
Wine bottle opener

Mine is in a permanant drawer in the trailer's kitchen so your box plan doesn't apply in my case. So far this set up is working great for me.

 

[Lynn]

I just discovered that googling 'picnic trunk' returns some interesting boxes.

 

[DontPanic42]

I'll try googling "picnic trunk' but you might also try 'mess chest'. I have seen some in surplus catalogues that are quite complete. The Italian ones are quite nice and frequently contain heavy china pieces like diner ware.
I personally use stainless steel for everything including wine glasses. The only exception is my personal coffee cup which is a heavy diner cup. Of course I was trained as a metallurgist so it figures that I prefer stainless.