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#1
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Drop Zone Flash opinions
Hi Team
Would love to have opinions on this Flash. It is 65cm x 65cm or 2.5"x2.5" My thoughts are just a cut piece of cloth until I looked at British Airborne Insignia by Oliver Lock and there are several Flashes showing this type of un hemmed cross stitched weave cloth fabric(HQ and HQ signals HQ Bde 5th Inf Bde) and also a hemmed 2 para. The book goes onto say the supplies brought bolts of coloured fabric , had them cut and soldiers would have them folded , press and sew into place. Period 70's to 80's cheers Phill |
#2
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Old blue PT shorts and the red PT Vest were often used.
Marc
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I am still looking for British Army cloth Formation, Regimental, Battalion, Company and other Unit sleeve badges, from 1980 onwards. |
#3
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Material looks right for 2 PARA and size is about right but edges would be folded over to give straight edges, not ragged, when used. I can’t see evidence of folding but that might just be the photo (or my eyes!)
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#4
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Thanks Marc, Colin
Well thats good to hear that its a legit DZ Flash. Yes its definitely unused ie not folded but I had thought it was just a piece of blue cloth listed in our local auction down here and take a chance. Much appreciated. Phill |
#5
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Phil, I've had a couple of these but they should be hemmed over, not a ragged edge. They look like they are made from blue convoy flag material.
The one you show appears to have been taped or glued onto a board or card, coming from a collection? All the best Bess |
#6
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Agree with Bess as the fabric appears pretty coarse, but as said, DZ flashes were improvised from whatever material was at hand!
Here are a few examples: 3 PARA (sewn to dpm material), HQ 16 Parachute Brigade (3 strips), 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, Depot Parachute Regiment & Airborne Forces. Tim
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"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." |
#7
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I have a RAOC Blue/Red/Blue sewn in same manner from PT Shorts & Vest as 54Bty writes..
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#8
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Bess
Yes It would of come from a collection , however i do not know the individual and no other DZ Flash has come up. Tim Thank you for showing more DZ Flashes. That crude made and worn look has that speacial appeal for collectors It would be good to see more DZ Mike Excellent would like to see it-you could literally say there was a lot sweat and tears on this Flash! Much appreciated guys for adding more info. Phill |
#9
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I find flashes/formation signs such as these impossible to be sure of unless they come with provenance.
They are often just swatches of cloth, or of the simplest construction that anyone could make and lay a claim to. As mentioned, virtually any material available was often used, and they could have been made by the soldier, a tailor, mom, whatever. Anything that was not WD/MOD issued is a gamble. CB
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"We seldom learn the true want of what we have till it is discovered that we can have no more." Sam. Johnson |
#10
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Worn as a "Diamond" it could well have been 36 Engineer Regt based in Invicta Park, Maidstone who were part of 5 Airborne Bde at one stage. I believe this was due to the Regiment having 9 Para Sqn RE within its ranks.
engr9266
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JERRY ROYAL ENGINEERS/BRITISH ARMY CORPS & SERVICES/BRITISH LEGION/ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (see albums) |
#11
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I have just uploaded an album of 110 plus DZ and LZ flashes from my collection:
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=4396 Tim
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"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." Last edited by grey_green_acorn; 29-09-21 at 11:46 AM. |
#12
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Thanks again guys
CB I agree the only positive is that the unsewn cross stitched fabric is the same in Oliver Locks book, which is why I put on here for comments. engr 9266 In the auction description "Awesome Old NZ Patch Badge Blue Diamond New Zealand Army" However , the seller does lists many insignia and at times there are incorrect descriptions. I dont think it is NZ Army-so you could be correct. Tim Much appreciated for uploading your DZ Flashes , I like the differant material variations and also having dated orbats. cheers Phill |
#13
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The blue material is too bright for 9 Sqn or 36 Engr Regt, which wore a very dark blue, so definitely 2 PARA.
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#14
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DZ blues
Colin,
Over the years the colour of 9 Sqn DZ's has varied from pale blue to dark blue through to a paler dark blue. The size has also varied from 2 inch square to almost 3 inch. Before the advent of merrowed edge supplies it was very much was based on what was to hand and who was doing the stitching. In the early 1970's I used to RV with Major Tom Duffy during Airborne Forces day as he used to keep me topped up with any DZ's he come across. One year had not turned up anything so he decided to take me on a tour of unit QM's. He had been QM 3 Para so could grace these hallowed grounds. At 9 Sqn it was requested that I could be supplied with an example of the current DZ. In response the SQMS threw me a pair of scissors and the remnants of a pair of issue PT shorts and I was invited to cut them myself, though not quite that politely! So the sample shown might be 9 Sqn (on point) or 2 Para (square) but has not been sewn around to make a neat unfrayed edge. It has the potential to be turned into a DZ for use but is not yet there. Best regards, Andy |
#15
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Can't beat "local knowledge" when it comes to these sorts of insignia.
These little bits of info so often just get lost in time, it's great that they're recorded somewhere. |
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