Early Egyptian SAS wings

[jdr]

Hi all

Just a quick question

Has anyone seen Egyptian made SAS wings with red thread detailing or highlighting? I’m not talking about the inside colours of the parachute canopy as I know these can vary from dark blue to pink etc

I seem to recall someone mentioning a possible connection to the “originals” or L Detachment but I have searched the forum and not come up with anything

Thanks
Jack

[johanwiegman]

hi Jack,

I have never seen early SAS wings with red thread details.

cheers,

Johan

[jdr]

Thanks for your input Johan. I ask because I was lucky to acquire the below recently and I’m sure I’ve seen reference to the red thread somewhere. Although it could just be an unusual variation

[Alex Rice]

Is that not just faded brown thread?

[jdr]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Is that not just faded brown thread?

Maybe my photo isn’t too great but it is definitely red thread.

[johanwiegman]

Originally Posted by jdr

Thanks for your input Johan. I ask because I was lucky to acquire the below recently and I’m sure I’ve seen reference to the red thread somewhere. Although it could just be an unusual variation

hi Jack,

In handmade wings, anything is possible! I believe the original wings were very well and professionally made in the well known colours, but (new) unit members can have taken original wings to local tailors in the Middle East or the Mediterranean region and have copies made. Handmade copies will have been made from available materials including coloured thread.

The same practice happened later in Malaya. Original wings were sometimes locally copied, although most wings worn were of high standard.

Cheers,

Johan

[JON188]

An awesome wing pal. Great find.

[jdr]

Originally Posted by johanwiegman

hi Jack,

In handmade wings, anything is possible! I believe the original wings were very well and professionally made in the well known colours, but (new) unit members can have taken original wings to local tailors in the Middle East or the Mediterranean region and have copies made. Handmade copies will have been made from available materials including coloured thread.

The same practice happened later in Malaya. Original wings were sometimes locally copied, although most wings worn were of high standard.

Cheers,

Johan

Johan

I had never thought of this possibility that wings were copied from originals and indeed probably copies made from copies


Thank you!
Jack

[HamandJam]

Hi Jack,

I think it could also be a wing that has been repaired with other thread. You see some of the original black thread appearing under the brown thread to the left side of the canopy.

Cheers

JB

[NEMO]

Originally Posted by HamandJam

Hi Jack,

I think it could also be a wing that has been repaired with other thread. You see some of the original black thread appearing under the brown thread to the left side of the canopy.

Cheers

JB

This is a very interesting observation if not an actual repair perhaps just out of smartness or perhaps a ` tribal` thing ?

[richiejones1]

Jack,

Have you considered that the red thread could have been done when the previous owner sewed a 1 Para DZ flash to the pullover in the same lot? Or the 5 Airborne Brigade pegasus badge to the other pullover? (Obviously not done by an ex-para because we didn't sew DZ flashes, pegasus patches or shoulder titles to our pullovers). The para wings are too low on the arm as well.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PARACHUTE...p2047675.l2557

I saw this lot on ebay too and I wasn't convinced it was right so I didn't bid on it. I'm not an SAS expert. What does the back look like and what are the other wings like? Was the combined ops badge a repro or original?

The wings might be right enough, I don't know, but the red stitching could have been done when this walter sewed the other badges to the pullovers.

Richie