Converted RZ16

[ENGLISH BOB]

Hi Guys,
just like to tell you about a nice parachute find,its a converted RZ16 harness upgraded to a RZ20,the chute though is stamped RZ16 and dated Juni 27 1941,so just post Crete . The harness itself is dated 1 5 1940 and displays stitch marks of obvious reworking and replaced labels,it is just possible that this harness saw service during the invasion of the low Countries or Crete.
i'll post some pics and please feel free to ask questions,i believe this is an important find and may answer the question why nobody can find an original RZ16 harness.
Regards
Bob

[ENGLISH BOB]

a full shot of the canopy and lines all in mint condition,camo is made up of at atleast 5 different colours

[ENGLISH BOB]

Shot of the stamps and replaced linen label,you can see the stitch marks of were the original label had been note the half BAL stamp.
Note also the domed rivits on the back of the buckles very unusal to to see this,every other harness i have handled they have been ground flat.
Buckles are waffenamt stamped and numbered on the reverse,they are FL coded and equipment numbered to the obverse.

[ENGLISH BOB]

Heres a closer view

[John Hodgin]

Superb and significant rig Bob! Until you emailed me these photos, I had assumed that only RZ20s were manufactured in camouflage. So, when were the first camo chutes produced?!

Kudos,
John

[ENGLISH BOB]

Hi John,
many thanks for your comments,i too believe this is a significant find.
I also believe that the RZ20 never actually saw service on Crete,we assumed it did because of the camo chutes,though as i said on a previous thread,Men struggling to get out of RZ16 friction buckled harness's under heavy gun fire would be the obvious answer as to why the quick release buckles were designed and introduced.
The early manufactured buckles, the date stamp to the canopy (27th Juni 41) and modified packtray sway me to this conclusion.
The camo chute could have first appeared post Holland,so june /july 1940,thats just a guess on my part.
Of note the RZ16 canopy weighs 10.5Kg,RZ20 chutes weigh 11Kg to 11.5Kg it is also Stamped "Nicht Washen" or don't wash, The RZ16 stamp is followed by Franz. Seide or French silk. Canopies for both the RZ16 or RZ20 are found manufactured in Natural silk and of course Rayon.
Cheers
Bob

[Willi Z.]

Great find Bob! If anyone could find one I figured it would be you.

Interesting..... Yes, we assume RZ20s were used during the Kreta campaign, perhaps because of the camo chutes as you mention. But, I think most jump views show the RZ16 harness. With a harness production date of 1. 5. 40. is is unlikely it would have made it to the airfield for use during the 1940 campaign. Just my guess.

A RZ16 harness modified to RZ20 specs is an amazing discovery.

[ENGLISH BOB]

Great find Bob! If anyone could find one I figured it would be you.

Interesting..... Yes, we assume RZ20s were used during the Kreta campaign, perhaps because of the camo chutes as you mention. But, I think most jump views show the RZ16 harness. With a harness production date of 1. 5. 40. is is unlikely it would have made it to the airfield for use during the 1940 campaign. Just my guess.

A RZ16 harness modified to RZ20 specs is an amazing discovery.

Thankyou Willi
i agree all photos for Kreta of whatever unit show the RZ1/16 in use,
not an RZ20 in sight.
I will post more pics of the harness and try and show clearly the stitch marks,incidently the static line hook pocket which you find on the Right hand shoulder flap on the RZ20 is actually situated in the middle of the back on the RZ16,dam difficult to find good pics of the back of the RZ16 packtray as the Guys were to busy posing for the camera.
Who do i turn to,to write a book?,i think a new one is needed
regards
Bob

[John Hodgin]

Who do i turn to,to write a book?,i think a new one is needed
regards
Bob

A new book is indeed needed Bob. Lots of possibilities for publishers. Shooting chutes well is also going to be a challenge. Keep researching, much more stands to be learned. Interview any Fj veterans you can find who actually jumped right now! There is no time to spare!

Best,
John

[David Fettes]

I saw this canopy round Bobs house yesterday and the photos do NOT do it justice.....it is BEAUTIFUL

My own RZ20 (deployment bag dated April 1941) also displays, very nearly the same stitch marks of reworking and a replaced label, so could be another reworked RZ16 harness with a RZ20 camo canopy.

We also spent hours with four RZ20 harnesses looking at the different materials used in their manufacture and getting very excited....I must get out more!

[John Hodgin]

We also spent hours with four RZ20 harnesses and getting very excited....I must get out more!

And perhaps meet some birds when you do?

[David Fettes]

Gee thanks John

[John Hodgin]

Gee thanks John

Sorry David! Couldn't resist.

[ENGLISH BOB]

Hi John,
i think the photography is the easy part,the written word is the hard part . I had fellow forum member Dave Fettes round to my home Yesterday,i had to effect a couple of small repairs to his rig,which incidently looks to be another conversion,we ended up with 4 RZ20 harness's out looking for differences of construction,we found that every rig was different e,g manufacture of buckles,codes to buckles,difference of colour to canvas and especially the labels none were of identical design.It is important to get this down on paper for future collectors.
regards
Bob

[ENGLISH BOB]

I knew that was coming,it was as big as a barn door