lucky508

There is a DZ in Panama at the Chame airport right beside the Pan American highway. P3 Skydive Panama. They do a lot of jumping on the beach but with just an A you may have to jump on the airport. You can find them on FB. Stay safe riding! Blue skies, CK

I don't know who Powers is but that Falling Angles patch is an awesome classic. Really cool.

Post this in the history and trivia forum. I'm sure you'll find what your looking for and more. ATW, Lucky

I used to jump with that group and it's not available for free fall. I've never seen that C47 go over 1,800 AGL. If you're just looking to make a DC3/C47 jump I can help you make that happen if you're willing to come to Texas. Let me know. ATW, Cael

I inspected a PC that I bought a while back and found some interesting stuff. I was told by the seller that it was modified to a Comp PC. It has been modified and re labled as a MK3. USPS, United States Parachute Service, Floyd B Washburn Master Rigger, seal BF2 did the work. Lines are 21' so it has not been short lined. There are LARGE cutouts in Gore 24 were the data panel was and on gore 3 and 21. I will post a pic when I have a chance to kite it. It has a lot of burn holes from sloppy packing but is otherwise in very good shape. so what exactly is a MK3? *** i'm also looking for a sleeve for a Papillion. It needs to get back in the air. appreciate help on finding one. Thanks, Cael

I met Wild Bill at an Eco reunion we were supposed to jump for in 06. He was out drinking everyone in the hospitality room at the hotel and had a girlfriend with him that was in her late 30's. He was really friendly to everyone and telling old soldier stories. His shirt says "Have you seen my other sock" and is signed by Will Ferrell. ATW, Cael

I'll second that. looking forward to the video.

I’ve heard a few stories about jumping into the new year. I’ve always wanted jump or fly a load that jumps into the new year. It’s kind of daunting to consider being sober (enough) to jump into the new year at midnight. I mean we’re talking about skydivers here. It’s hard enough to get a sunrise jump to go. Does anyone have a story or two about this? Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year! Lucky508

Exit from a pterodactyl?

I’ve got a type III AC (shoulder) separation from a motorcycle crash this summer. I’ve got 95% range of motion but its unstable and weak above shoulder height. I finally went to the doc and it’s going to have to have surgery with a 3-4 month recovery time. I’m bummed but tired of living with it. I actually made 6 military round jumps with it like this and caused some more damage. Not smart……I know. I almost went to the tunnel to see how it would do….again not smart but I didn’t do it. Anyway….I’m going to get it taken care of soon. PT like crazy over the winter. Go to the tunnel to check it out when I’m ready and hopefully start jumping again in the spring. Moral of the story is get it taken care of. Stupid hurts! ATW, Lucky

Those patches make me think about doing pushups outside the yellow line in AER phase in Rigger school at Ft. Lee. One, two, three! no go. a nice patch is someting worth the work and brings a special satisfaction. Sometimes you just gotta hope that a dumbass like this sews his fingers together. ATW, Lucky508

Thanks for sharing. I've got a lump in my throat and I feel like a pitiful excuse of a human being now. God bless your friend Gary and his family. ATW, Cael

here's a link to a pathfinder unit that made several combat jumps out of Huey's to secure LZ. pretty intresting stuff. Airborne! All the way! http://11thpathfindercompany.com/Combat%20Jumps.htm Lucky508

Since everyone is showing theirs. I’ll show you mine. Not sure of the nomenclature on this one. I’d have to take it apart to find that and if I remember right it might be sterile anyway. The thick base is for holding watch batteries in the corners. There are red lights at 3,6,9 and 12. ATW, Cael

He was recently on an episode of the kid's show Yo Gabba Gabba singing "The Rainbow Connection" Made me feel like a hippy kid again. Far out!

The Rhodesians used GQ MK1's for some of their free fall ops. Attached is an add I found on Ebay. ATW, CK

Nice canopy. What is that?

It was the mid 90’s and I was in Panama as a civvie trying to get a job flying twatters to build time. I was jumping with the Panamainian club and with something like 150 skydives I thought it was a big deal when I got invited to do the demo jump. Then I saw all the static line students get on the plane and they put them out first on a low pass! We were in a Panamanian air force Casa and climbed to 15.5K which I thought was great again until we were in free fall. It was the biggest combat RW session I had ever seen! I was last out stayed above the mess. After a while I start looking for the fair. I see it waaaaayyyy off in the distance. So I dump high and start looking for a landing area in a sea of green below me. Then I see a small red dirt rectangle. It’s the soccer field in the middle of a little village! By this time I’m looking for the roads to get to the fair after I land and I notice that there is no one around. Hmmm they must all be at the fair. I manage to do a nice landing in the soccer field under my sweet Excalibur 190. Just then about 25 kids come running and screaming onto the field from the village. They are freaking out like only kids can and touching my jump suit and canopy like they are blessed. “hey amigos, como estas? Donde esta la Faria?” The all start jumping around and pointing in direction of the fair.” Vamanos!” I say and we all start walking. They are pleased as punch with their find. A little boy was holding my hand and after a while he looked up at me with wide eyes and said “Senior, es Usted un Astronauto? It took me a second to realize this kid thought I was an astronaut. I nearly said “Si!” but I just couldn’t do it. I puffed out my chest and said “no soy Paricaidista!” and he was pretty happy with that but that was my one and only time I could have been and astronaut. They walked me into the fair like their king and deposited me at the Atlas Beer station. Atlas was sponsoring the jump and I had a beer in each hand for the rest of the day. It was an oops that turned into a great jump.

The best supplier IMO is "At the Front" http://www.atthefront.com/ One stop shopping. They also have a f'ing hilarious rant section. Go to the "new" tab and check it out. also good but more expensive is WWII Impressions. http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/ Both will ship your order wherever you need it of course. ATW, Lucky508

Uwe, I hope you find the jumbo you’re looking for. It took me years and a couple of tries to land one and a complete system at that. Meanwhile, here are some pics of my jumbo in action. Eat your heart out. HAHAHA! And yes Airtwardo, it lands ridiculously soft for a PC. No apologies! Cheers, Lucky508

yep. Everything dyed pink with a double L mod and pink steering lines added. We call it the PT. Pink Titty.

More like lucky seller! $810 for the canopy alone. I haven't seen crazy bidding like that since 07 or 08 when I saw a 43 dated T-5 that was dyed pink go for $600. I still give my buddy a ration over buying it. HAHAHA!

Sorry to hear about that. I didn't know Monte but I had a great time skydiving in Panama in the mid 90's. We did some wild jumps. I hope all my old friends down there are doing well. BSBD, Cael

Captain, If the PC is in a sleeve then yes, double stow the crown lines. this ensures the suspension lines deploy first and leads to a nice in sequence deployment. it also prevents bag slump. I had a hard opening on a PC in a sleeve once but it was due to the PC being a short lined comp model. Just remember not to double stow the crown lines if it's in a POD. this can cause a delay in opening if you’re at sub terminal and at 1500 feet. I learned that the hard way. ATW, Cael