Here’s one for the parachute experts.

are you refferring to the one from the Air Cadet Air Experience Flying Video?

“John Andrews Sir.”

Queue cheesy 80s sinth music.:D

Yes, that sounds like the one, I used to fly from RAF Newton with No7 AEF, great days, but the Cadet NCOs who pulled those straps tight were all sadists!!
If you could stand up and see in front of you, the straps needed tightening, than you had to walk out to the aircraft and climb up onto the wing with the engine running, and than negotiate the cockpit side! BUT IT WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND OF THE AGONY!!
The Chipmunk is a wonderful aircraft, and now I own and am rebuilding a static one with my son, so I am after a parachute, so that I can demonstrate to his generation just what is was like in the good old days.

You’ll need to get hold of the RAF Hairy Mary battledress uniform and the old shirts with separate collars & studs to add that soupçon of authenticity! 😀

I can recall the long waddle out to the Chippie bent double…

Here’s one for the parachute experts

Coincidental you gents should happen to be discussing WWII parachutes right about now. I just picked up my “new” military backpack style ‘chute for use in my replica Spitfire. Being a bit shorter in the leg compared to the original builder, I thought a backpack type (its @ 3″ thick) would be just right however I now find myself a little more forward than I would like to be. I guess I should have tried to find a serviceable bum-style pack. Do any of you know if these types are still in use and/or available today?
Thx Mk.1
———-

O dont worry the current ones a laugh as well 😀

yeah i know…i watched it several times lol

i know all the words :p

It is SO stupid to expect anyone to walk in a properly fitted ‘chute.

But they did it.

Here’s one for those of us both old enough and lucky enough to have waddled across an airfield like a castrated duck to our waiting Chipmunk, for a few minuets of precious air experience time, wearing a seat cushion type parachute.
Can anyone give me information about the type of parachute involved?
Many thanks in advance.

‘chute quoted was replaced with the MK21 or MK22 (MK22 being larger harness) both in a grey/blue pack. I’ve packed quite a few in my RAF & civilian life & fairly easy to do. Still used by some people as they’re ideal for older a/c types.
Dave

i miss the AEF video aswell

O dont worry the current ones a laugh as well 😀

Hi Ross

Hi Ross
That sounds like a fair deal, you bring the parachute and I get to bring the dummy!!!!!!!!!

@ R&M yeah..us Cadet NCO’s who tied straps were quite bad :p…i took a cadet on his first GIC (gliding induction Course) a few months ago and decided to give him some nice literature to read….engine failure after takeoff warnings briefings etc…he didnt feel too well

and i do believe there have been some incidents with cadets having to use parachutes

i miss the AEF video aswell

Coo here was me day dreaming about how to breed Canberra and Anson and produce a featherless turkey and you bring up Chipmunks!

I’ll have you know I was a Staff Cadet at 661 GS, Kirknewton..Seds and MkIIIs with not a parachute pack in sight.

Any way bring the Chippie to next Cockpitfest and I’ll bring along a S Mk4 seat parachute set c/w backpad, seat pad and crossed over crotch straps for you to use Max as a demo dummy.

Ross

Thanks Andrew.

Thanks Andrew
And trust Ross to know all about thecastrating part of the opperation!! I worry about that guy sometimes!! If I manage to obtain one, remind me to keep him well away from it after a few beers at next years cockpitfest!!!!!!

Makes you wonder if the darn thing would have worked following all the abuse they got.
Did a incident with a Chipmunk ever arise when a ATC cadet had to use one in anger?

Richard

Thanks Mark.

Hi Mark
That’s brilliant, thanks.
A pitty you are to young to know what it was like!!!!!!!

That sounds like the one!

Yes, that sounds like the one, I used to fly from RAF Newton with No7 AEF, great days, but the Cadet NCOs who pulled those straps tight were all sadists!!
If you could stand up and see in front of you, the straps needed tightening, than you had to walk out to the aircraft and climb up onto the wing with the engine running, and than negotiate the cockpit side! BUT IT WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND OF THE AGONY!!
The Chipmunk is a wonderful aircraft, and now I own and am rebuilding a static one with my son, so I am after a parachute, so that I can demonstrate to his generation just what is was like in the good old days.

Here’s one for those of us both old enough and lucky enough to have waddled across an airfield like a castrated duck to our waiting Chipmunk, for a few minuets of precious air experience time, wearing a seat cushion type parachute.
Can anyone give me information about the type of parachute involved?
Many thanks in advance.

Most likely a Mk.2 or Mk.10 parachute assembly I think.

The AP says “The Mk.2 and Mk.10 assemblies are suitable for use in certain aircraft in which the aircrew remain in their seats at all times during the flight.”. As there’s very limited scope for shifting around in a Chippy then it would seem to fit the bill!

The Mk.2 “assembly” consists of,

15A/549 – White nylon canopy, Type 124, Mk.1
15A/96 – Pack, Type S, Mk.2
15A/557 – Harness, Type C, Mk.2 (for the Mk.2 assy) or Harness, Type C, Mk.7 (for the Mk.10 assy)
15A/100 – Auxiliary parachute, Mk.1 and connecting cord
15A/198 – Rip cord, Mk.3
15A/199 – Housing, Mk.3
15A/191 – Back pad, Mk.1
15A/83 – Pack elastics No.1 – set of 6
15A/183 – Cushion
15A/150 – Quick-release fitting, Mk.1A

Piccies to follow.

are you refferring to the one from the Air Cadet Air Experience Flying Video?

I would love to see that old video again. How many times did I have to watch that when I went to AEF.

“Jump John jump”.

“Jumping Sir”. 😀

are you refferring to the one from the Air Cadet Air Experience Flying Video?

If it doesn’t hurt when you stand up, the straps aren’t tight enough

Roger Smith.