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[QRQ 30]

I believe that the chure to which Pete refers was merely known as the T-10 (steerable). The modification was known as a "TOJO" in reference to the shape.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Pete

After seeing the young "stud muffins" at the last SFA meeting it made me feel like a VVFOG. Then again, standing around the Real VFOGs it did make me feel like just a PUP. It all depends on who you're standing with at the time.

As for you real pups out there, how many of you have jumped chutes without the anti-inversion nets? How many know what the "Bang Box" AKA "Dial-a-Death" was in relation to the parachute?

Pete

How about T-7's, with "Dial-a-Death."

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by QRQ 30

I started on the T-10 in '63. There was no anti-inversion net. Not familiar with the "dial-a-death" unless it was the twist and bang "quick release" into which the leg and shoulder straps were fastened.

As late as '67 the SAS were still jumping T-7's. On an exercise we exchanged chutes. We were then using the MC1-1. We jumped the T-7. We were rather apprehensive due to the stories we heard but found nothing that exciting other than the osscillations of the flat-circular canopy.

I started with T-7's in '51 and I always thought that the opening shock was more severe then T-10s. (No deployment bag) Also the risers could slap one up along side the head on occassion. One didn't want to linger on the DZ as it could rain helmets and other loose gear. (Never a good idea anyway.)

I took it that the "dial-a-death" reference was the twist and bang "quick release" which the T-7s were equipped with. The ones that I jumped, did not have a quick release for the risers/canopy either, you had to learn how to twist and turn to be pulled up and run around to spill the air out of your canopy. At 22 knots or so not very easy!

Oh and yes, one can really have a rough landing if you are osscillating and your canopy hits the ground first!

[QRQ 30]

Trip Wire. It is entirely possible that the mBrit T-7's we jumped had D-bags and the T-7 was merely the canopy. I don't remember losing any nuts. I can't remember. Did it have an apex vent or did it just go whop, whop, whop to the ground.

[lksteve]

i seem to recall slip fork risers on the MC1...before the MC1-1 (no anti-inversion net) and the MC1-1B...

my first MC1 jump was out of a C7...i honestly don't recall seeing one of those around after '76 or '77...

[lksteve]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

You are both just pups. Welcome aboard Pete.

my point exactly, Herr Oberst...

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Pete

Jack wrote "slip fork risers"

Jack and All;
I never was a Sky God but IIRC Slip Fork Risers were on the old HALO chutes. You would pull the forks and slip the risers to guide the parachute. I think it had an egg shaped opening in the back. I think it worked about as well as a -1.

.

The slip fork risers came in with the "7 gore T U" modification to the T-10 and was supposed to be the answer to providing SF rope jumpers with a better ability to steer their canopies. The risers were just a continuous loop from the front and back suspension lines thru a clamp assembly on the harness just above the quick release assembly and were held in place with a fork so that they did not "slip" until you gained control over the canopy. Once you had control you pulled the forks loose and then you pulled down on the appropriate riser as far as you wanted and it "slipped" throught the metal clamp (can't remember the terminology) giving you a greater ability to dump air and modify the canopy than with regular risers. There was one catch-damn thing did not go back to the original configuration like when you let go of a normal riser on a T-10. I can remember MSG Honer pulling his fork loose and then forgetting to readjust the risers and he sort of screwed his way all the way into the ground in a slow spiral. They did not last long and went out as soon as they came up the the toggles on the MC1-1s. It also got fun during night jumps, trying to realign the risers by matching up two pieces of white reflecting tape that was sewn on the risers to indicate when they were at the "normal" position.

Jack Moroney

[lksteve]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

It also got fun during night jumps, trying to realign the risers by matching up two pieces of white reflecting tape that was sewn on the risers to indicate when they were at the "normal" position.

the most fun that can be had with steerable parachutes of any type is to have them issued to some folks for a mass-tactical jump...once, when just a young pup in the 82nd, MC1-1s were issued to a battalion's recon platoon, us (combat engineers) and all of what passed for adult leadership within the battalion...instead of putting folks at one end of the stick or the other, we were lined up in stick order based on the computer print out...an interesting outcome, as we jumped into Swampy DZ at Lejune...

of course, this was a far better alternative to putting an entire battalion in steerable parachutes, which i later experienced in the 509th...

but alas, i digress...

[Dustin03]

Greetings gentlemen, stumbled across this site a few days ago, finally decided to sign up. Just got out of the active Air Force, due to a failed contract on their part and towards the end i started hanging around with some CCT guys. even worked out with them pretty regularly. so after being told i had the option, i got out honorably, and signed up with the 2/20th (A). Hoping to head to SFAS in late march/early april. I think it was a great decision on my part, i can see a lot of the brotherhood the Army instills in its troops. I have a brother and a few great friends also in the Guard, serving in Iraq currently.

Any questions, advice or comments feel free to ask.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by QRQ 30

Trip Wire. It is entirely possible that the mBrit T-7's we jumped had D-bags and the T-7 was merely the canopy. I don't remember losing any nuts. I can't remember. Did it have an apex vent or did it just go whop, whop, whop to the ground.

It had an apex, as I recall. When one jumped a T-7 in those days, one was VERY careful on the "nut" arrangement. I also got a few bangs on the bridge of the nose from the helmet.

[FMA11]

Hey guys. Been lurking for about a year. Waiting on a waiver from the 20th so I can go REP-63 with the Maryland Guard. I'm a non-prior service CPA living in Maryland. Thanks to all of you guys who spend time informing and entertaining me.


Back to the shadows...

[Jamacee]

Hello all:

First, thank you all for your service to our country - it is much appreciated. Thank you also for this wonderful resource you have put together here.

I am a student at the University of Maryland pursuing two Bachelor's degrees: one in Finance and one in Accounting. With a little over a year remaining before graduation, I've begun exploring my options for military service. At this point, I don't believe I want to make a career out of it, but for several different reasons, I am leaning heavily towards a tour of duty following graduation.

Lately, I've been researching possible paths for service across the various branches. I'm very intrigued by the 18x contract and the possibility of serving as a SF member; I've been lurking here for awhile and reading almost anything I can find about SF. I took the ASVAB (scored a 99), and have begun training heavily to get into the shape I need to be in.

I will continue to lurk and absorb as much as I can. Thanks!

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jamacee

Hello all:

FirstI've begun exploring my options for military service. At this point, I don't believe I want to make a career out of it, but for several different reasons, I am leaning heavily towards a tour of duty following graduation.

Lately, I've been researching possible paths for service across the various branches. I'm very intrigued by the 18x contract and the possibility of serving as a SF member; !

Welcome aboard. If you just want to dabble in the military don't bother wasting your or SF's time on applying for 18X. This is not a college kid's club and it is not a job. It is a profession that requires a commitment not to fulfill your interests but a commitment to the mission and members of the detachment to which you belong.

Jack Moroney

[Jamacee]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Welcome aboard. If you just want to dabble in the military don't bother wasting your or SF's time on applying for 18X. This is not a college kid's club and it is not a job. It is a profession that requires a commitment not to fulfill your interests but a commitment to the mission and members of the detachment to which you belong.

Jack Moroney

Thank you for the welcome. Your point is well-taken: if I were to decide to enlist with an 18x contract, I would be unwavering on my commitment and dedication. It's actually getting to the enlistment point that requires the soul-searching and self-exploration... for me, at least. This is not something that I want to jump blindly into.

Col. Moroney, I also have a follow-up question for you: it is my understanding that an 18x contract requires a 5 or 6 year commitment. Do you feel that it is unwise to pursue an 18x contract if I were interested in serving my time and then moving on to a civilian career? It seems that whenever I mention that I'm interested in one tour of service, there are people who more or less object to that. It is not my intention to half-ass or dabble in anything... I intend to be the best I can be and give everything I have in the time I decide to serve, be it 5 years or 30 years.

I appreciate any and all input - the more information and viewpoints I can get, the better. Thank you!

[The Reaper]

Six years is barely enough to complete SF training and make a few deployments.

IMHO, a team member is barely getting started at that point, and I doubt that I would want you on my team knowing that you were only in it for one tour. Lack of committment/dedication showing.

TR