This photograph of an SAS Trooper in Malaya 1957 seems to show the equipment worn for a parachute jump including the 'end caps' and three distinctive broad straps. The brass fitting hooks are probably hooked on the parachute harness to enable movement onto the aircraft. On descent the load would be lowered on the rope prior to landing. Impossible to say what is in it but unlikely to be a 3.5" rocket launcher. He also appears to have a long weapon in an adjacent cover.
Tim
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