Signallers Flags

[Rob Miller]

I bought two pairs of signallers flags at the weekend, they all have a broad arrow printed in one corner but I can't find any pictures of this pattern in use and they don't resemble the colours on the signallers badge?

Any thoughts please?

Please be aware before answering I may sell all or perhaps one pair of these.

Thanks, Rob

[54Bty]

From the internet.

The current flag semaphore system uses two short poles with square flags, which a signalman holds in different positions to signal letters of the alphabet and numbers. The signalman holds one pole in each hand, and extends each arm in one of eight possible directions. Except for in the rest position, the flags do not overlap. The flags are colored differently based on whether the signals are sent by sea or by land. At sea, the flags are colored red and yellow (the Oscar flag), while on land, they are white and blue (the Papa flag).

Marc

[Rob Miller]

Thanks Marc

What I really want to know is when this pattern took over from the earlier white with blue stripe version shown in the 1938 Signal training manual.

Rob