Pen-type flare source

thatmguy

thatmguy

Joined
Mar 26, 2000
Messages
14,444
Where is a good source for the pen-type flare launchers? I'm putting together a vest & pack, and hold to the thought "it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it". (within limits of course...)
 
Jeff, thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate it. I went to Orion's site. What they offer is a bit more bulky than what I'm looking for. I'd actually like to get something like what Bagheera has in his kit. The quest is on.....
 
Hi ThatMGuy,

Thsi is Bagheera speaking
biggrin.gif
, while in the US on holiday in July I bought at Wal-Mart 3 Skyblazer flares apitty they were the sea kind ones and not the "wilderness" ones but still for about $18 (including tax) you get 3 of these Skyblazers and they produce a lot more light and go 2-3 times as high as the pen type flares+launcher that I have in my pack go see
http://www.skyblazer.com

Also the pen launcher + 9 flares made in Germany will cost the better part of 40 Dollars not even counting postage to the US which also is a little tricky as the flares could be considered flamable or even explosive material.
Still if you would like to look at the website of Comet let me know and I'll try finding the address.

I'll also try making a picture of the new setup that I use a pen launcher securely held in a thin plastic box which holds 9 flares, the launcher can be armed and fired from it's stowed position.

Cheers,

Bagheera

------------------
 
For those of you who don't know Piet/Bagheera well, his name is pronounced 'pee-ate.'

Everytime I see a wilderness signalling flare I think about the Emergency Wilderness Medicine conference I attended. There were all sorts of people there: orthopedists, surgeons, EMT's, nurses...the whole gamut. We were all outside watching a person demonstrate the flares, when someone climbed up the embankment next to us. It seemed someone had been sliding down the opposite side of the embankment on an inner tube, and had injured themselves. The person wanted to know if we could call for help.

You have never seen such a mass charge down a snowy bank, everyone trying to be the first one there (even the search dogs). The poor victim was overwhelmed by the response, to say the least. I was one of the few to stay where I was, primarily as I was howling too hard to move.

Walt
 
Thatmguy:

As you can see from my number of posts I'm new here. I collect "Aircrew Survival Equipment" that is issued to the military. Would you be talking about the "M185's" or "M201" Gyrojets(current issue) for the pen flare gun you are talking about? If so E-Mail me and I can give you some people I deal with that usually stock these items and will sell them at a resonable price.
 
How about posting the source for all of us to read and maybe purchase from this source.

Thanks

Larry
 
Im looking for the same item as well.
A website or email address will be much appreciated

 
Shttp://www.check6aviation.com. See if this guy has any first! Go to Survival on the left of your screen. My other sources don't have web sites only a phone number. They are legit though! Another good source to go to it "Auctionarms.com" and go to "Militaria". These guys seem to be asking a bit more than usually what I get them for. For the other people I know, E-Mail me personally so I can give you the phone numbers, don't feel very comfortable giving them out in the open! They are cheaper. If any of you have any questions in the future about this type of equipment(Aviation Survival Equipment)feel free to ask me. I've got a pretty large collection of items. I specialize in the Present day issue all the way back to the Vietnam Era(My personal favorite). If you are looking for something special please also feel free to ask me! WARNING: This is an addictive hobby!!!

Mark

 
Mantracker, thanks for the offer. I don't know from those numbers you gave, sorry. Bagheera, I went to Wal-Mart, and got the ones you mentioned. I had expected something larger, but these are compact enough. I may still look for pen-type launcher kit later. Thanks guys.
 
P.S.

Thanks Jeff. I will look at the Orion kits for camping trips. Thank you again.
 
I have launched the Orion pocket-rocket flares, and the AF gyro-jets. I prefer the gyrojets, but don't have a source for them, and imagine they cost more than orion's product. The Orion flares, so I am told, are similar in form and function to the flares the Navy uses. They are based on a ballistic charge of medium handgun-type size, fire up, and then burn and fall. The gyrojets are rocket-powered, and burn on their way up, making it easier to pinpoint the launch source, and putting less of a kick in the launchers hand. The gyrojets have a better reliability primarily because they are easier to load and launch. I had no Orions fail, but I did have some I had to try two or three times because of seating problems. The orions also leave a insert in the launcher that must be removed before the next flare can be screwed in. This increases reload time.

Should you participate in an activity that mandates carrying flares, the Orions are the way to go, though. Each individual shell is sealed and labeled with an expiration date, which was a requirement for the state I needed them for. The gyrojets were not labeled with an expiration date, iirc.

Enjoy, and may you never need to launch a flare except to see what it looks like.

Stryver
 
Go to the message they posted and click on the little email symbol. That display their email address.
 
Since then (actually today when I saw the renewed interest), I found a site of a retailer in Canada. Search on Tru-Flare. I e-mailed about how to get them into the U.S.. Haven't heard anything yet.
 
Brothers & Sisters of Rescue Signalling,

Here's Tru-Flare:

http://www.bearbells.com/04 - Bearbells/tru-flar.htm

Two suggestions -
First. Consider the situation which would require that you have this equipment.
Second. Review the article on signal flares at: www.equipped.com.

In this age of satellite radios, (No. Not just a cell phone with limited calling area, either!), and hand-held ELT's, (Emergency Locator Transmitters), your decision to obviate the weight or expense might just be handled better with a GPS and a tuneable radio.

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi
 
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