Appparently, signal flags continued to be used even after radios became standard equipment, as a back-up means of communication. Page 48 of Osprey's; German Light Panzers 1932-1942, describes their usage through early 1942. It also shows a color illustration of the flags.
On the contrary, page 260 of Panzertaktik, Wolfgang Schneider states; "The signal flags were dropped after only a short time, since they were very conspicuous and rapidly revealed who was the leader at the time." "Instead, hand signals became the rule."
More contrary still....I could be mistaken, but I believe these are the same flag storage tubes in a Sturmtiger, although page 45 of Tankpower 16 describes them as "five breathing tubes (sic) containers for the five crew-members", whatever the hell that is....Please refer to Trumpeters KV-2 with the "quick-fried tower" for additional examples of this type of translation, or lack thereof.
Personally, I think they are the "Spill Clean-up Kits" I see mounted on the wall in the grocery store... gotta keep one's panzer neat and tidy...
"Mein Gott, Ich habe meinen Starbucks verschüttet. Schnell....!"
Anyway...
Paraphrasing Osprey's description;
The usual size was 12 inches high by 16 inches wide.
The meanings of the flags varied from time to time and according to the manner in which they were displayed.
In the decscription I will use the following abbreviations:
HU means held upright from the turret.
RL means raised and lowered vertically
W means waved from side to side
Here is a description of each flag and their meaning.
Flag 1 is all gelb
in 1940 HU means "follow me"
in 1940 RL means "Extended order"
in 1940 W means "Single file"
in 1941 HU means "conform"
Flag 2 is 1/2 gelb on top and 1/2 rot [red] on bottom
in 1940 HU means "Take up position"
in 1940 W means "Form broad arrowhead, base leading"
in 1941 W means "Form broad arrowhead, base leading"
in 1941 HU means "Hull down"
Flag 3 is gelb with a black vertical and horizontal band located in center forming a cross.
in 1940/1941, HU or W, this meant variations on the theme "I am broken down/a casualty" and " I need assistance"
A gelb triangular pennant with a black capital "W" [for workshop unit] was used by Panzer-Regiment 8 for the above purpose.
Flag 4 is equal alternating red-white-red horizontal bands
in early 1942 used by Panzer=Regiment 5 meaning "Tank damaged"
Flag 5 is all blue
in 1940 HU means "Double file"
in 1940 RL means "Close in"
in 1940 W means "Form arrowhead"
in 1941 HU means "Extend"
Also in 1940 a blue flag held down at a slant from the turret meant "Open out"
Flag 6 is all red
in 1940 HU means "Standby"
in 1940 RL means "Ready for action"
in 1940 W means "Attack artillery/AT/tanks"
in 1941 HU means "Action" or "Attack individually"
in 1941 W means "Enemy tanks seen" or "Attack in formation"
Flag 7 is 1/2 gelb on top and 1/2 blue on bottom
in 1940 HU means "Right turn"
in 1940 W means "Left turn"
in 1941 W means "Left wheel"
in 1941 HU means "Right wheel"
Flag 8 is 1/2 blue on top and 1/2 red on bottom
in 1940 HU means "Take cover"
in 1940 W means "About turn" or "Move"
in 1941 W means "About turn" or "Move"
in 1941 HU means "Turret down"
By the way there is no significance in the above notations of Flag 1 etc. This is just my way of separating the various signsl flags.
It appears from this source that there were seven signal flags used by all units
Flag 1 is all gelb
Flag 2 is 1/2 gelb on top and 1/2 rot [red] on bottom
Flag 3 is gelb with a black vertical and horizontal band located in center forming a cross.
Flag 5 is all blue
Flag 6 is all red
Flag 7 is 1/2 gelb on top and 1/2 blue on bottom
Flag 8 is 1/2 blue on top and 1/2 red on bottom
The gelb or yellow appears to be the same as the yellow used to paint the turret tactical numbers and is most likely RAL 1006
I know...TMI, but most of it was just cut and paste. Now y'all can hide secret messages in your dioramas only the cognoscenti will understand.
I can scan the plate if you want.