airtwardo 6 #1 August 28, 2003 Since demos may soon become a thing of the past... "History" if you will... I thought I would post a few recent PICS from The Dayton AirShow we did last month. The show celebrated 100 years of powered flight. One of the best programs I've ever had the honor of being a part of! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonybrogdon 0 #2 August 28, 2003 Nice pictures Jim.Tony Brogdon D-12855 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 14 #3 August 28, 2003 Absolutly wonderful way to start the show off every day.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,116 #4 August 29, 2003 Here's to hoping for lots and lots of repeats. Those are great pics. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #5 August 29, 2003 Brought back good memories Twardo. Thanks. I miss that POW-MIA flag.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #6 August 29, 2003 QuoteBrought back good memories Twardo. Thanks. I miss that POW-MIA flag. Quote That's your old 190 I'm spinnin' is a couple of those! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #7 August 29, 2003 Great pictures! I've never seen the smoke like that. I don't get out much....It looks like there's three of them on a line below you. Could you explain this a little? It really has a neat affect......Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YahooLV 0 #8 August 30, 2003 It's called a "candy cane", and it's a lot of fun to fly! Made one for myself as a 21st Century Skydive team member.http://www.curtisglennphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #9 August 31, 2003 Quote It's called a "candy cane", and it's a lot of fun to fly! *** YES IT IS!!! ..And how did it get THAT name??? (Thought you'd NEVER ask!) Here's a little 'History and Trivia' for ya. Going back 25 years... I was lucky enough to get tied into a bunch of real hard core style and accuracy guys that also did a LOT of demo's back in the Midwest. An 'interesting' group to say the least, thinking back... Our exploits would make for another dozen or so posts in the 'Scary Stories' thread. Mostly older guys, ( I was 19-20 ) with jobs and families... They liked my 'can-do' attitude toward jumping demos. I was a little...less structured ... shall we say, than I am now, and I did a lot of things that the guys with kids to feed weren't as aggressively attempting. In addition to jumping demos then, that I wouldn't even WATCH someone attempt now.. I also got to be the test jumper for all the 'Basement Built Bullshit' that anyone came up with.... (another dozen scary posts!) I was all the way across the country when I got the call to go do a big airshow demo... The next weekend I show up at the appointed time and place... But the 'guys' were less than enthusiastic about my latest 'image' Some didn't like the Chopper.. Most hated the earring... They ALL thought the Ponytail should go! (Not to mention the... "Here's 20 bucks, buy some new jeans... and burn those!) We WERE breaking into the big leagues... forming what was to become- The Liberty Parachute Team So...I went along with some of the 'Look Professional' stuff, but Damn... ya know how long it take to grow this hair!!! Anyway...we are done with the first 3 days of a 4 day show... Doing, RW...CRW..Flags...typical stuff. Planning the act for the next day... we're sitting at the bar, brainstorming. When the weirdest of the 'basement riggers' comes back from his car and hands me a huge, beat-up old bellywart. "Tomorrow...YOU'RE jumpin' THIS! ........AND GET A HAIRCUT!!!" In it are like 12 smoke bombs... a rats nest of wire cable..velcro, clips, hooks.... Looked like a kids takle box! I played with it for much of the night, kinda got the idea of what he was going for with all of it. Next day we're geared up and ready to go... On jump run, I'm closest to the door for a change... with the 12 smokes on my chest, and 4 more..2 on each foot... They wanted to be sure they could kick me out fast should I start to smolder in the airplane! Turning for jump run, I feel a tug on my helmet... Looking back at 1/2 a dozen grinning faces... It took a second to focus on the guy holding up both his hook knife........ And my fucking PONYTAIL!!! They had timed it perfectly... we were right over the "Spot" all I could do was yell "ASSHOLES" as I rolled out the door. It wasn't easy... but I finally get this 'Towering Inferno" lit. And spiral down 3000 feet.. to the L.Z. directly in front of all the event big wigs at "Air Show Center" The crowd is going nuts!... The rest of the team...Flags, banners, CRW guys. are a minute or so behind me, not spinning, as I had. Just enough time to shed my rig, boot brackets, and boots... (Figured I could fight better without those big French 'Para-Boots' on!) I'm standing by my pile of gear at Air Show center, as the guys all come gathering around carrying their stuff... ...They're all talking at once... "Man, Twardo...THAT looked great!" "Better than I'd EVER imagined!" "Didn't think you'd get'em ALL burning..." I'm just seething... but I AM, getting the 'hero' treatment! (ahhhh...gosh...I guess it did look kinda cool) The biggest of the event bigwigs runs over to us... "That smoke thing! That was GREAT!! Whatever it was... you guys are coming back NEXT year and doing THAT again!!" Next year?? ...We all look at each other and start to smile....."HELL YES" Mr.Big yells, "We want to see THAT again....What do ya call it???" The then team leader... ...sporting his "shit for supper" grin, proudly holds up the trophy that was minutes before ....attached to my head. We call it the BARBER POLL !!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! The HELL we do, I growled... I'm the only one nuts enough to JUMP this death trap.... ...and "I" call it... THE CANDY CANE !!! To the best of my knowledge... (and I HAVE checked) That was the first time a "Candycane" was ever showcased... (Forget it!..already bought THAT beer, 25 plus years ago!) Since then a Candy Cane has always been part of our show... Went to 6 bombs pretty quick because it's faster to lite and spins better... Now using 3 most of the time, as lots of shows won't pay 300.00 for smoke per cane. And...If memory serves, I got a freaking' Head Cold riding the Harley back to the West Coast! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YahooLV 0 #10 August 31, 2003 Thanks for the history lesson. For every defeat (pony tail), there is a success- home built "stuff" that works! Enjoyed the story, put a smile on my face. I haven't been able to jump 6 yet. (Too damn expensive), but I did built it so I can double up on 3 for a fuller smoke layout....looks pretty good. I have never seen it as I"m spiraling down and have to concentrate on other things. If and when I get some pics, I'll send some out.http://www.curtisglennphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #11 August 31, 2003 Who was the rigger who made it? Just curious is all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #12 September 1, 2003 Quote (Too damn expensive), *** The smoke cost a bunch... But it could be worse!! Check these out. Better to burn out than to fade away.... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YahooLV 0 #13 September 1, 2003 haven't had that pleasure either.......yet!http://www.curtisglennphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
