26ftconical

Wartlord: The lead cable stop was standard on the Crossbow from 2cd experimental rig (just called the "Piggyback). The aluminum cast ripcord grip was an effort to make grip fit the closed hand instead of the 1/4" steel tube which did not fit the hand. Blue skies, 26ftconical

Wartlord: Part 1 Prior to the Crossbow, all harnesses and containers were exmilitary and you had your choice between OD and sage green (Navy). The canopies were 28' C.9s and 24ft surplus or 26 ft Navy Conicals. Pioneer had a 28ft. low porosity canopy in colors and a sage green NB-8 harness and container. Pioneer was licensed by EFA, a French company south of Paris, France who had designed a towable parachute behind a boat or car. Pioneer called Paracommander and began trying it out for for jumping. The problem was it did not have brakes and if you laned it downwind, it was crunch time!

Gentlemen: A story about Ludlow Clements. He was the best Test Jumper Security ever hired. Security was working on a Triangle design and Security had most of the jumper at Livermore Dropzone jump the rig to get there observation about it handling. After the jump they had to complete a form that asked a series of questions that had multiple choice answers. and a page for their comments. All the jumpers filled out these questionaires and a paragraph or two on the comments page. When Ludlow got his turn he turned in the questionaire plus three pages of comments. Dan Abbott who was monitoring these tests hired Ludlow on the spot. Lodlow was a breed apart from the rest, he became an important part of Secuity and worked in Engineering with Dan abbott Blue skies, Dan-San

Gentlemen: I can remember one time when Bill Booth got by the Maitre-de (required a tie) and he could not tell. Blue skies, 26ftconical

Wartload: That's great, how was he? Blue skies, 26ftconical.

mjosparky: 1. I am not a jumper. My jumping except for the first 6 (WW2) were test jumping new designs all 16 were freefalls. i marvel at these gus with 5000 and more. My Father was a Barn stormer during the early 1920 and had around 1500 static line jumps from Jennies and Standards. I am walking down the soft side of the moutain with a gentle wind at my back and the warmth of the setting sun on my face. I am a solver of problems, the last one was for good friend Gary Duriss. Blue skies, 26ftconical

Ricksriggery: When Dan Abbott made the initial sketchs , first was main and reserve side by side, There was a cross over of the main right riser over the reserve pack. It looked like a disaster waitng to happen. Next, Danput the reserve on the bottom of the main pack. The reserve risers were routed along the sides of the main container, covered with flats. The objection he said was the long reserve risers.(weight) The final configuration was the reserve on the top with short reserve risers. It aslso facilitated Automatic Reserve lanyard. This was the configuration chosen. The original main pack was closed with a zipper. The Test Jumpers were Loy Brydon, Jerry Bourquin and Lyle Cameron. Blue skies, 26ftconical.

Wartload: If you look hard enough, you'll find 004! blue skies, 26ft canopy

Gentlemen: In 1979 I had a heart attack and I had some visitors and cards, but one individual who I only knew very slightly was Al Kreuger, he came and spent a hour with me. I was most impressed. After he left, I said to myself, there is areal friend! I shall remember him forever. Blue skies, 26ft canopy

Jerry Baumchen: Neither Perry Stevens and Ludlow Clements had anything to do with the design of the Crossbow. The design was done by Dan Abbott with the exceptions of the One Shot riser release, that was concieived by Jon Maggi the owner of Security Parachute Company. 26ftcanopy

Gentlemen: Perry Stevens was working at Security Parachute Company at the time the Crossbow piggy back was invented and designed in 1963. It was being designed and developed for the 1964 U.S.Parachute Team. The Automatic Reserve lanyard was one of it features. Perry did not design the lanyard system, It was concieved by Dan Abbott. Pery tyook the principles of the design and modified the design for use on a chest reserve parachute. Blue skies, 26ft canopy

Gentlemen: The pilot on "Ripcord" was Lyle Cameron. A very good friend. A good test jumper, did some work for me. blue skies, Dan