Heya, Folks,

Just curious if aerial identification panels were utilized by U.S forces in Vietnam to reduce instances of friendly fire from the air...

If so, what color were they and does anyone have a ballpark as to the panels dimensions?

Thanks a bunch and Happy New Years to you all!!!!!!!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Not really, but they had an orange triangle used to denote ground troops. Only saw it used a couple times. Remember combat in RVN was working on the night shift.
Gary

Hi Johnny

Marker panels were used during the Vietnam War for a multitude of purposes, such as indicating Landing Zones (LZs) for helicopters, or marking positions of friendly forces to aircraft providing observation or fire support. The VS-17 Panel marker is Florescent pink on one side and Orange on the other. It's fitted with tie downs for attachment to just about anything and snaps so that multiple signal panels can be joined together. The VS-17 measures approx 19 inches wide x 70 inches long.

It should looks like this (it's not me in the picture )





Close-up

Marker panels were usually packed in a canvas case :



http://armysurpluswarehouse.com/vietnam-era-military-issue-panel-marker-case-for-ariel-communications-marker/


but I guess some grunts carried them differently...



Bonne Année !

H.P.

Thanks, Gary, Thanks H.P.!!!!!!!

I hope that life is good!!!!!!!!

Happy New Years, as well, H.P.!!!

With Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.