Behold Daredevil Graham Dickinson as he flies his wingsuit down a mountain in France. The video was captured by his friend Dario.
Archive for the ‘Parachuting’ Category
If This Doesn’t Wake You Up, I Don’t Know What Will
Sunday, September 27th, 2015FirstSpear Friday Focus – The Joker : Jungle Operations Airborne Capable Chest Rig
Friday, July 17th, 2015
During this week’s Friday Focus, we are sharing a new FirstSpear product, just released during Warrior East. Designed primarily for jungle operations, the JOKER is a patrol rig intended specifically to work in conjunction with the FS MIKE Force Pack. Although the intended use was initially jungle, JOKER would make a great primary load carriage rig across the board. It offers a great deal of adjustment and can be worn alone, or over low bulk armor carriers like Slick, Deceptor NOC or similar from other manufacturers.
What’s more, there are a couple of cool design stories in creating the JOKER, including some work with a Yodaesque figure at the forefront of load carriage development. FirstSpear asked me to share a salute:
FS was fortunate enough to be noticed by someone out on the true cutting edge of load carriage development, thank you for asking us to partner with you on this product, enough said.
The components are pure FirstSpear. This platform offers a Tubes front closure system, making it a snap to don and doff. The three 6/9 & MOLLE compatible pocket panels are also padded in key areas to provide comfort and some buoyancy. Since it’s going to be used in wet environments, the JOKER incorporates drainage in the mesh panel pockets.
One of those design stories I mentioned is that they were looking at shoulder straps solutions for the Joker. Ultimately, they decided to use a Yoke created by the the guys at Hill People Gear, who they OEM for, and incorporated a low profile drag handle.
There are some neat load options. If you are looking to transport a medium or small frame pistol on the JOKER, you can integrate their SSV holster in the Belt Holster on the left or right side inside the pocket panels. A stiffened and reinforced SCUBA webbing strap in either pocket will let you attach the SSV back up cord and clip the J Hook in place leaving the butt of your pistol exposed for decent draw.
Additionally, there are Velcro pile fields located inside the front pockets on both sides of the Tubes which will accept FS Ragnar Pockets for Single or Double Pistol Mags as well as Ragnar Single M4 Magazine Pockets. Webbing loops on the front shoulder straps will accept single attachment style pockets of the 6/9 or MOLLE variety. You can really customize the load on this thing.
One of my favorite features on the JOKER is that it has a Side Release buckle on each shoulder strap that when activated, will drop the length of the shoulders overall to a preset position selected by the User. This will allow the JOKER to be worn higher on the chest or down low like a traditional patrol rig, with the pouches below the ruck. This also means it can be pulled up through existing parachute harnesses and worn for airborne operations. Once clear of the parachute harness the User returns the 2 one inch side release buckles to the original position and the JOKER is back in its fighting configuration.
Another cool integration option is depicted in these photos which show the attachment of the E&R Bag to the back panel of the JOKER nested underneath a GP Large Pouch. It’s easy to reach back and detach the E&R and then transport on its own waist strap. This is also a great place for weapons cleaning kit.
Available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green or MultiCam.
SOFIC 2015 – Core Survival JPL
Thursday, May 21st, 2015The Portable Jump Light (JPL) from Core Survival is designed for temporary install in nonstandard aircraft to support airborne operations.
There are two modules; the Control Module is mounted in the cockpit so the pilot can remotely command (via RF) the Light Module at the jump door to transition from Red to Green.
Capewell Aerial Systems – Modular Airborne Weapons Case
Sunday, May 17th, 2015
3rd SFG(A) Fields New RA-1 Parachute
Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 
A 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) parachute rigger lands under the canopy of an RA-1 parachute during new equipment training at a Laurinburg, N.C. drop zone Feb. 6, 2015. The RA-1, capable of static line or free fall configurations, is currently being fielded by Special Operations Forces as the replacement for the MC-4 parachute. (Photo by 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Rigger Facility)
The Fort Bragg based 3rd SFG(A) is the first unit in the Special Forces regiment to field the Army’s new RA-1 Military Free Fall Parachute System which is replacing the long-serving MC-4. The group’s riggers were also the first to conduct the rigger and jumper new equipment training (NET) for the RA-1 Double Bag Static Line. The RA-1 can be used for static line or free fall operations and can support 75 more pounds than the MC-4.
Fabrique National Model AS 24
Monday, March 16th, 2015Built by Belgium’s Fabrique National, the Model AS 24 was an airdeliverable, motorized folding combat trike which came complete with its own trailer. In addition to operational use in the Congo, the country of Peru is said to have also used the AS 24.
Specs:
Passengers: 4 including Driver
Weight: 374 lb (170 kg)
Cargo: 770 lb (350 kg) of men and equipment.
Height: 2 ft 10 in (85 cm)
Engine: 15 hp (11 kW) Two-cylinder, two-stroke, 15 cubic inch (0.245 litres, 245cc) model FN 24
Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Can you image driving that thung at 60mph? I can see how it could catch some air.
The US Army even evaluated the vehicle in 1963 but didn’t adopt it.
Although other commercial three wheelers were adopted by specialists units such as USAF CCT, eventually they were abandoned due to safety concerns of roll overs, particularly during turns.
If you want to see how to configure the AS 24 once it had successfully parachuted safely to the ground, check out this video.
Thanks to Jon S for the tip.
Pack Man
Saturday, February 14th, 2015I’ve heard Natick’s Rich Landry called quite a few things over the years but never “Pack Man.”
A former Pathfinder in the 82nd, Landry actually completed Jumpmaster school as a civilian on jump status at Natick. He’s dedicated his life to supporting the troops and chances are good that if you’ve served over the past 30 years, you’ve used a piece of GI load carriage equipment that Landry has either designed outright or helped develop.
The new MOLLE 4000 is the cover story for ‘NSSC This Month’. Check it out at usarmy.vo.llnwd.net.
The USAF Parachutist Insignia 1956-63
Sunday, February 8th, 2015
