Drop Zone Flash opinions

[Phill Lockett]

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

[54Bty]

Old blue PT shorts and the red PT Vest were often used.

Marc

[Colin S]

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!)

[Phill Lockett]

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

[bess55]

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

[grey_green_acorn]

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

[Mike_2817]

I have a RAOC Blue/Red/Blue sewn in same manner from PT Shorts & Vest as 54Bty writes..