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of 8 main panels; has a circumference of 12. ft. 10 in. and a vent at the top 3¾ in. diameter.
The parachutes may be white, red or camouflage colouring and bear the mark "Kurt Peterhansel." A flare parachute, however, has been reported marked "Nicolaus," and other markings may be found.
The German flame float has a casing consisting of two pieces of sheet-steel welded together, with overall dimensions similar to those of the parachute flare (3 ft. long by 8 in. diameter), filled with a composition which on contact with water produces gases that spontaneously ignite. The case is coloured yellow and marked "LUX N" or "LUX S."
Care should be taken not to pull any cords attached to unignited flares as this may cause them to explode.
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Figure 59.—German Single Candle Flares
16. DYE-BAGS
Small canvas bags are carried in German aircraft inside a rubberised bag, brown-yellow in colour, about 7½ in. long and about 9½ in. in diameter, which are marked in black letters on the outside with the word "Farbbeutel" (i.e. dye-bag). These bags contain a sodium compound of dye-stuff of the fluorescein type, which is orange-red in colour and is for use in the event of the aircraft falling into the sea. It is very soluble in water and imparts a yellow-red colour to the surrounding sea with intense fluorescence.
17. METEOROLOGICAL BALLOONS
British meteorological balloons comprise:—
(a) A small type about 2 ft. in diameter, many of which have a tail of thread about 25 ft. long with a sheet of coloured paper tied to the end; they should eventually burst and fall to the ground;
