Caterpillar Club

[docjohn 0]

Does anyone know what a caterpillar club pin looks like? I've been trying to find an authentic one for many years. There's many on eBay but I'm fairly certain that they not authentic.

See attached photo which I think is a fake.

Anyone know how to identify the real thing?

Doc
http://www.manifestmaster.com/video

[MakeItHappen 15]

Quote

Does anyone know what a caterpillar club pin looks like? I've been trying to find an authentic one for many years. There's many on eBay but I'm fairly certain that they not authentic.

See attached photo which I think is a fake.

Anyone know how to identify the real thing?

The best bet would to ask people from Irvin Aerospace (now part of Airborne Systems) or Switlik.
They probably have original pictures.

.

.
Make It Happen
Parachute History
DiveMaker

[howardwhite 4]

See this page.
But I'm not sure it's reliable. Airborne Systems used to have a link to its own Caterpillar Club page but the link has been broken for some time; I pointed it out to an Airborne Systems person in September but have not followed up with her to see if it can be revived.

HW

[goldwing 0]

I believe the Switlik Parachute Company still issues Caterpillar Club membership.

During WW II many parachute manufacturers offered their own variation of Caterpillar Club awards and/ or pins that indicated a person saved themselves using that company's parachute.

You haven't lived until you've almost died"

[goldwing 0]

Doc,

That small screw back Caterpillar Club pin is legitimate. Similar to what is currently being issued by Switlik. The authentic WW II era ones with documentation go for big bucks now days.
See my other post for other examples.

You haven't lived until you've almost died"

[skybill 18]

Hi gw,
Switlik may issue their own version of the "Caterpilar Club" but Irvin (now part of airborne sys) was the original. You can call the office in Santa Ana Ca and ask one of the old fart engineers there if any are still around about the program. When I still worked for Irvin, till 2000, Irvin Canada had the records for the Caterpillar Club.

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out

[councilman24 36]

Airborne Systems (Irvin) still issues caterpillar club memberships. PIA has gotten them issued for featured speakers and others. I wasn't aware that Switlik was also STILL issuing them.

And no, skydiver reserve rides don't count.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[goldwing 0]

My information on Switlik is over 20 years old. True every manufacturer may have had variants authorized.
Most of today's recipients are ejections from nodoubt fast jets.
Many Navy parachute lofts had a Caterpillar Club board with the names of those pilots who had bailed/ejected. I remember one at NAS Glenview, IL.
As a Navy rigger I had one of my chutes used during an ejection. It was a heady moment when the pilot stopped by the shop to express his gratitude and deliver my beverage of choice.

I've heard a reserve ride out of a single engine, formerly twin engine D-18 Beechcraft at 1000 ft. AGL has been documented and approved.

You haven't lived until you've almost died"

[howardwhite 4]

Quote

I've heard a reserve ride out of a single engine, formerly twin engine D-18 Beechcraft at 1000 ft. AGL has been documented and approved.

That noted source of totally reliable information, Wikipedia, says:

Quote

More recently, a group of twelve skydivers were denied membership when one of them fouled the plane's tail and caused it to fall from the sky. He died in the crash, but the other eleven parachuted to safety. They did not qualify because it had been their original intention to jump from the plane. The pilot, however, was admitted to the club.

It does not provide any any source for this claim.

HW

[skybill 18]

Hi Terry,
That's a 10-4 on Irvin. I worked for them as a rigger from '87 - 2000. At that time Irvin Canada had the books on the Caterpillar Club. Don't know what changes have transpired since I left. Lots went on when I was there. I have some old brochures in my archives with the caterpillar pin photos, now to dig them out!! Ole' Les Irvin started the club back when to honor those who saved their lives via using a parachute.

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out

[happythoughts 0]

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My information on Switlik is over 20 years old.

I have my dads certificate from May 3rd, 1943.
Issued by Switlik.

Harold L. Foster, President
Richard Switlik, Secretary

Everyone got out over North Africa at night, in a mountainous area. The co-pilot got linestretch, swung once and hit, breaking his leg.

[AggieDave 6]

Do you have enough information to start a thread about your dad's story? I'm really interested in reading about it.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[happythoughts 0]

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Do you have enough information to start a thread about your dad's story? I'm really interested in reading about it.

He told me all about it.

I am about to run out and do stuff. I'll post it here later. Either later tonight or tomorrow.
A different thread isn't necessary.

My dad never talked about the war until one day
when I told him about my first skydive and he
said, "I did one too..."

[happythoughts 0]

My dads story was this:

They were coming back after bombing Bizerte. 7 hours in the air.
Everyone followed the lead plane with its lead navigator... who
apparently got lost.

When lost and running out of fuel, Standard Operating
Procedure is to ditch the planes.
If you can land them in unknown territory, the planes may
fall into unfriendly hands.

So, they spotted a town and bailed out.
The last two to bail out were the pilot and co-pilot.
They were in a mountainous area, at night.

(When the co-pilot exited, they were pretty low.
He got linestretch, swung once, and hit - breaking his leg.)

My dad walked towards town carrying his parachute.
There was an arab guard at the town gate. My dad woke him
up and asked for directions to the police station.
He pointed him down the road and went back to sleep.
(The guard was supposed to be on the lookout for German
paratroops.)

One crew member landed in town and went through the roof
of a house, causing quite a stir.

The next day, the crew got together and went to find the co-pilot. They had to carry a litter up to him and carry him
back down.

It took a week until they could be picked up and returned
to their base. They tried to keep a low profile because the
locals weren't necessarily on any particular side.

[davidlayne 5]

On the wall in my den I have my father's caterpillar badge and award card. He was awarded the caterpillar after being shot down over Mannheim September 23rd. 1943 in Lancaster JA 708 of 97 Squadron. Ulrich Veh was the successfull Luftwaffe pilot.

He managed to evade for 10 days before being captured eventually ending up in Stalag Luft 3.

Attached is a letter from Irving sent to my mother notifying her of the award.

I don't care how many skydives you've got,
until you stepped into complete darkness at
800' wearing 95 lbs of equipment and 42 lbs
of parachute, son you are still a leg!

[docjohn 0]

What a great letter! Thanks for posting it

Doc
http://www.manifestmaster.com/video

[davidlayne 5]

A caterpillar pin sold this week on e bay made £417.00. Not going to sell mine though.

I don't care how many skydives you've got,
until you stepped into complete darkness at
800' wearing 95 lbs of equipment and 42 lbs
of parachute, son you are still a leg!