7 th April 2004
"The History of Parachuting" by Peter Willson
Peter Willson gave a very interesting presentation, which covered Peter's experiences in this field of aviation, entwined with the historical introduction and subsequent developments. Following his National Service, Peter joined the 16 Airborne Division Provost Company, RMP, and then subsequently 44 Independent Parachute Brigade Provost Company, RMP. and pursued the techniques of parachuting, where he successfully gaining his coveted maroon berry.
He enlivened the proceedings by recounting in a humorous mode the stages of training necessary, leading from the rigorous physical training side prior to any selection, then thro the ground action gradually building up in height and rigour until the trepidation of a real launch from an aircraft. He further outlined the procedure necessary to ensure safety in the drop including the possibilities of clashes with parts of the aircraft or indeed compatriots jumping from the same aircraft, where there could be three simultaneous streams dropping.
He then gave a very detailed account of the history of parachuting, this is fairly involved, and developments cover a wide time spectrum and indeed many countries, so the real start point is rather confusing, but these are some of the salient points.
The first known pictorial evidence of the drag principal appeared in the sketchbook of Leonardo da Vinci in 1514. The device was a pyramid shaped structure by means of which, the sketch implied, a man might leap from a tower or burning building without greatly endangering his life. However, as far as is known, da Vinci did not develop his sketch. [See footnote] Although evidence found in the historical archives of Peking, China, relate that some form of parachute was used to entertain guests at Chinese court ceremonials. The relation between the umbrella, also invented by the Chinese, appears obvious.
Almost one hundred years lapsed before the concept of the parachute was again recorded, a Hungarian, published the idea of a parachute being used as a "fall breaker", and described several successful trial jumps which he claimed to have made from a tower, but not substantiated.
More authority can be attached to the experiments of the Frenchman, Joseph Montgolfier, who, late in the 18th century, began to put some of the "then current" scientific findings to practical use. Concurrent with his experiments on hot-air balloons, he became interested in the concept of parachute-like devices, it is not certain how far Montgolfier actually pursued his parachute experiments; however, it can be said that his balloons gave parachute jumping a sudden and practical impetus.
Peter gave a graphic account about the introduction of the aeroplane, owing to the necessity of providing escape from disabled aeroplanes, or to escape from observation balloons being attacked by aircraft. A technological introduction of those times, further development of the parachute accelerated changes to the parachute itself, changes in techniques of use became necessary.
He explained the problem of oscillatory the cause of the oscillatory motion of the parachute was the air trapped under the drag-producing surface and spilling out, first under one side and then the other. This was solved by permitting a constant and steadying flow of air to escape upward through a hole provided in the parachute apex. This was the first vent; and it worked.
Experiments with foldable parachutes were tried, and in 1887 Baldwin, an American jumper of much renown, introduced a silk parachute with vent opening in the USA.
Grant Morton, some believe, was the first man to jump by parachute from a plane, although Captain Albert Berry, who had previously jumped from balloons, is another claimant for that honour. In 1908, Leo Stevens devised the first parachute, which could be opened by the jumper with a ripcord, although the "free" type parachute was not utilised substantially until 1920.
A patent granted in 1911 to an Italian inventor for a knapsack parachute, including a pilot chute, must be considered as one of the major milestones in parachute history. When World War I began in 1914, very few crewmembers of balloons or aeroplanes carried parachutes. The Germans were probably the first to appreciate that a pilots or crewmembers life must be saved in case of emergency, and that the parachute was the means to accomplish this.
By the summer of 1918, parachutes were in wide use on all fronts, these early life-saving parachutes the German version was the Sack parachutes; the English, the Calthorp or "Guardian Angle" parachute. They were attached to the flier by means of a harness, and the bag-type parachute became, when not in use, a sort of cushion. From within its bag, a static line attached the canopy to the plane. When the pilot jumped, the tightening static line pulled the parachute from its container ready for action.
The US Air Force, was primarily instrumental in getting an organised parachute test and development program started, a parachute facility was established at Dayton, Ohio, many changes in parachute design can be attributed to the collective and individual efforts of the members of this group.
The first parachute, which was standardised by the U.S. Army Air Corps, after considerable development effort and experimental testing, was of the seat type, for use by pilots and crewmembers. It consisted of a pack containing a flat circular solid-cloth canopy, incorporating a three-point harness release. It also found application in the first training parachute, which was a combination of seat and back type, and the first chest parachute for insuring the manoeuvrability of gunners, observers, and photographers within aircraft. Although as Peter pointed out a front pack of either parachute or later a weapons kitbag always restricted the downward view of the jumper.
Since the first parachute jump, the parachute has developed into a sophisticated military vehicle and an object of sport for civilian enthusiasts. Improvements in design and functional qualities continue in a never-ending challenge to meet the requirements of new aeronautical advancements.
Peter concluded his presentation by outlining the use of parachutes in WW11 firstly by the Germans in Crete with a heavy loss of life but the capture of the island being the result. And the massive drop at Arnhem to capture the bridges over the river Rhine, but with a heavy loss of airborne men and equipment. Peter indicated he not sure that Arnhem could be described as a success. It is true that Colonel Frost made it as far as one end of the bridge, but it was never captured, which was the whole purpose of the assault. It would have opened up Germany to the Allied Forces, and shortened the war if it had been successful.
The results being that SAS type of small unit penetration are the modern ethos, where men are dropped from height well away from the landing zone and using stearable wings can almost land on any spot without the give-away aircraft noise.
The membership showed their appreciation after a question and answer session and the due vote of thanks.
[Footnote] Peter circulated a press cutting with respect to a test carried out in 2000, the crux of this rather long article can be summarised as follows: - In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci sketched a design, which was probably Europe's first parachute. He also promised using such a device a person could "jump from any great height whatsoever without injury", but it is assumed he never built or tested his parachute.
For over 500 years everybody believed that his drawing was a doodle. Aviation history was made on 17 July 2000 when a replica Leonardo da Vinci parachute was launched at 3000 metres above Mpumalanga in South Africa and flew perfectly for almost five minutes. Adrian Nicholas, who used this replica of a da Vinci type parachute, intentionally changed to a modern parachute at 1000 metres and landed in a fruit plantation. Adrian proved da Vinci correct in his design brief; he used a parachute, which visually conformed to the Italian's design sketches as shown. Many more details of da Vinci's inventions can be found on the official da Vinci web site, ………….more.
