bigbisont wrote:
You know it stands to reason that the drop ship crew may very well have also worn these boots since they too had all black leather boots.
Not necessarily...
Surplus shops at that time would have been heaving with cheap boots (genuine issue and knock-off) from all over Europe, in particular Central and Eastern Europe. We've eliminated some, but there are plenty of other possibilities still.
Ever since the early 80s, German para boots were considered the holy grail of private purchases, by squaddies who didn't like the issued Boots Combat High. This market gave rise to a fair few knock-off versions available as well, in the same way we have variations on the US Jungle Boot.
I do think Simon is likely bang on with these, though. The tread looks right and, while it's both familiar and distinctive, I've not found any other boots with this exact pattern. I wouldn't really know a para boot if it hit me round the head, though. I believe I'm even wearing an Austrian version of them right now...
Might be worth a trawl through this thread as well:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15158&p=232405&hilit=boots#p232405