Red Luftwaffe Schwimmwest!

[Jon]

I have this weekend been fortunate enough to view in a private collection an early Luftwaffe model 10-30 Schwimmwest. The unusual thing about it is that its RED in colour, not dyed but original Red?
It came from a 109 pilot who was shot down or ditched off Norway very early in the war.
I am aware of Blue Schwimmwests as well as the usual yellow but never seen a red one before, any ideas on how rare it is or, how many were made in this colour?

[fran]

Hello,
These were of the earliest type used. I think the blue ones does not exist and could be a misinterpretation of
old B/W photos, being actually red. It could be a nonsense the use of blue color for somebody waiting to be pick up
from the sea... Even red was too dark when wet so for this switched to yellow.
I would kill for one of these rare piece of equipment so let me know if someday decide to sell. All the photos
I saw of these red lifevest were worn by crews in 2nd line units

Regards