lapster

Most people don't know that Walt Appel: A) had a nickname that eminated out of old Birds Nest Airport in Austin, and B) that Walt Appel has a S.O.T.E # and its low. Regards...."Lap" Here hold my beer while I kiss your girfriend.

One more thing: Hold my beer while I kiss your girfriend.

The exit from the IL-76 is moot testimony why the Russians have that type of S/L rig...they can mass exit (especially out of tail gate hi-po aircraft who can have bad vortex turbulence because of the clam shell opening). We (the U.S) can manage carefully managed ramp/tailgate exits out of C-130 aircraft only with its airspeed (135 kts) and our 15' static lines. The deployment system is, in my humble opinion, much better for mass exits but their harnesses are "spartan" at best and uncomfortable to wear...make an old '60's series T-10 harness feel luxurious. I jumped a Czech version out of an MI-17 once, but that's another story. regards....Mark "Lap" Dunlap

There was a rumint (rumor intelligence) that before Svec bounced that he found a place in w-a-a-a-y south Texas he called "Tex-Cap" or something like that. Ever see the sheer faces in Santa Elena Canyon?? Just a thought....lapster Hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriendQuote

...and you know why they hurt too poppenhager...28' flat circulars NOT in a deployment device of any kind (i.e. D-Bag etc.), but rather the pack tray was actually laced closed with quarter inch cotton in a big 'ole "U" as opposed to four pack tray flaps held closed in center of pack tray. Add to all this C-82's and C-119's (my aircraft during Jump School) flying along at near terminal velocity during exit. Yeah baby...its a wonder I only have CSS now. *** Here hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriend

Thank you Varmit, you are so very correct and...it flew Texas jumpers at least at Hillsboro, TX (at the "Y" of IH-35 South of DFW), and Lockhart, TX. Only plane where darn near everyone took reading material with them. Wing Spar was at least a foot tall if not moreso. A great 4 engine jump A/C for those who didn't get a chance to jump that DC-4 out in CA. Ya hearin' me XL!?!?!*** Here hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriend

Jerry - Right you are but for the 21' Piglets...damn I saw some folks "pound in" under those things but the 23' Piglets were a bit more manageable. Used to watch Kevin Gibson pound in on his 21' at Georgetown, TX. many times...I got an RWPC. Regards***Here hold my beer while I kiss your girlfriend.

Howard - the last picture....5 second rule being applied. Regards

...it was a Dornier....dated a lady who was on the plane...great story, great lady still miss her and she still lives in Mass. and I in Texas.

All these folks plus Al (XL) Covert were folks that in the mid '70's got me motivated to learn to skydive as I was bored with my 85 military S/L jumps, they were heroes to me. Thanks for the memories folks, for all of it and not just the safety meetings but the executive safety meetings as well. Bless Dave Boatman and Twotters in Texas much before most other places...golden times for sure. Not really sure how I lived through it. Kindest Regards Mark "Lap" Dunlap (for short while) Sacramento, CA. Retired and just livin' the dream!!