What was the standard (if there was such a thing) colour for the above containers, used to drop supplies to airborne forces, resistance groups, SAS etc, behind enemy lines? Photos suggest a light colour – yellow or light brown perhaps? Information is required for colour artwork in preparation.
By: Tea Brewer - 1st January 2011 at 20:10
Another excellent French site
By: Tea Brewer - 1st January 2011 at 12:02
SOE containers
Here is a link that most of you may already know about, but which I post anyway
http://philippe.chapill.pagesperso-orange.fr/les_parachute_de_largage.htm
It is in French, but Google translate helps. It has a lot of information about containers, their size etc.
The containers used on Lysanders are described.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th January 2009 at 19:00
Merlin 101. the CLE containers you packed were what I would call CLE Mk III although by the time you had your mitts on them the would probably just be called CLE. The interesting thing here is that CLE had changed its meaning in the intervening 40 years. Originally CLE stood for Central Landing Establishment but by the time the Kipper Fleet were users it stood for Container Land Equipment.
Attached is a page from an AP showing the relative dimensions of the CLE Mk I and Mk III. Note that the MK I is longer and ‘D’ shaped rather than cylindrical like the Mk III or square as were the Types E and F.
SOE had some specialised containers all of their own whereas the CLE were the ‘bog standard’. [ATTACH]168413[/ATTACH].
By: Cranswick - 8th January 2009 at 19:41
Many thanks for the replies so far – it is the Mk.1 (T) I am after – as dropped to the SAS in Germany April 1945. White looks favourite so far?
By: merlin101 - 8th January 2009 at 18:55
I used to pack them for use in Nimrods in the late ’80’s! Not sure if they’re still in use, but they were yellow then.
Dave
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th January 2009 at 18:52
As manufactured the CLE Mk 1 had a wooden shell (the Mk I T was metal shelled) and as far as I can find out they were painted a shade of RAF Blue on the outside and white inside. However, as this made them difficult to find at night they were also fitted with a box containing electric bells and lights. The paras that ‘owned’ them painted them in a variety of ways (mostly with white paint) so they could tell who they belonged to (no use the mortar section walking away with a container full of PIAT bombs). The parachute canopies came in various colours and were used to signify the containers contents, although this practice wasn’t always followed.
I have a fair collection of info on all the CLE containers if needed.
By: Cranswick - 8th January 2009 at 13:25
Many thanks ‘673. Any more details very welcome.
By: austernj673 - 8th January 2009 at 13:04
White seems to be the standard with the colour of the parachute identifying the contents, e.g Medical, ammo, rations….. Some also had stenciled symbols or chalk written codes. I’ll dig the books out and try to offer a more detailed reply.
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January 8, 2009 at 12:09 pm