This is the beginning of the article which Mark sent to me a few months back based on his observations during his stay in Panama at this time, prior to the eventful days in December 1989. Members should already be acquainted with the first 4 plates that Mark sent in for publication in "89", these additional pages of information and the future parts will, it is hoped, put down on record what these various units wore, as some do not exist anymore. Has anyone seen the Panamanian Dress Regulations for this [or any] period neither Mark or myself have, and I would be interested to know if any are in existence? My thanks to Mark for all of his troubles with this project, including his getting arrested as a spy by the Panamanian Army, luckily, he was soon released after the intervention of the U.S. authorities who had a hard time in explaining that it was Marks' hobby.

That's what I call dedication!

PLATE 5

FIGS.1 & 2, Officers in tan [left] and white [right] suits, hats are all tan [or white], buttons, insignia, hat cords and badges are all cold, note the "R.P." and Branch insignia are on both lapels of the jacket. Black shoes and ties, white shirts, gold cord epaulettes with silver rank, full colour F.F.D.D. badge on left sleeve is optional, coat pocket styles vary, lace on cuff is tan [or white, dependant on dress].

FIG.3, Dark brown Officers hat; black band, gold oak leaves !or Field Officers, gold lace stripe for Company Officer grades, gold cords. Enlisted hat is Olive Drab green with yellow plastic cord, gold coloured badge is in the design of the National Coat of Arms.

FIGS.4 & 5. Officer and Enlisted man in ordinary dress; light tan shirts, olive drab pants for enlisted but chocolate brown for officers, tan belt, plain gold buckle, black shoes, left sleeves almost always have a full colour F.F.D.D. patch [see El Dorado Vol.II. No.1.].

FIG.6. As fig.5.; optional black tie when in long sleeve shirt, buttons are usually brown plastic, but may be black.

FIG.7. Banda Republicana; uniform all white, dark blue hat with gold coat of arms badge, silver lyre on collar, silver buttons, hat strap either black or gold, white shirt, black tie, white shoes.

FIG.8. Cap worn with fatigue uniform; cloth rank and branch of service insignia is black or yellow on O.D.

FIG.9. Officers beret, 2nd Company of Infantry; dark green beret with full colour unit patch, gold jump wings and silver rank bars.

FIG.10. Cloth rank patches for caps showing yellow crossed rifles patch, commando rank patch with integral unit tab above rank bars, black plastic rank and parachute badges are worn without backing cloth.

FIG.11. Flag Patches; in red, white & blue, [uncommon] worn on the right arm, top patch outlined in black, bottom has letters in dark blue on white bar.

Panama Fuerzas de Defensa 1988-89 Uniform Plates

Plate 5
Plate 6
Plate 7
Plate 8

Panama Fuerzas de Defensa 1988-89 Uniform Plates

Plate 9
Plate 10
Plate 11