Old rig in the UK

[johnkennett 0]

Now that my rig has sat in the attic for ten years, I think it's about time I faced up to the fact that I'm not really likely to start jumping again any time soon!

So my rig needs a new home, but before I advertise it I thought I'd better check whether there's likely to be anything that would make it fundamentally unjumpable (product recall, mandatory service life limit, whatever). Who knows what might have changed in the last decade -- everyone seems to skydive upside down these days!

The rig consists of:

National Warp III container (1986)
Raven III main (1990) ~ 200 jumps
Lazer 7 reserve (1989) zero jumps

The container is a bit grubby, but in good condition (stitching all OK), the main looks immaculate, and I haven't looked at the reserve because I wouldn't get it back in again (although I impressed myself by remebering how to repack the main :)

The rig has B12 snaphooks on the leg straps and a leg strap throw away pilot chute. It has never been fitted with a Cypres.

It will obviously need a good looking over by a rigger if anyone is going to jump it again, but what do you reckon -- piece of junk, or potential cheap first rig for someone?

John

--
Bless me Father for I have sinned
What is it my son?
I've fallen in love with a whuffo . . .

[skybytch 273]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but... that rig is worth from nothing to very little in today's market. The reserve is the only thing that has any real value left.

You might be lucky to find a broke person who is willing to jump gear that isn't "freefly friendly" and Cypres ready and a main that isn't zp. Even then you could expect to get maybe US$400-500 for it complete - that's about what the reserve is worth.

[rsibbald 0]

I have no idea about the serviceability of the equipment, but I would recommend against selling it to anyone inexperienced as a first rig, mainly on the grounds of the leg-strap throw away.

(Assuming 99.9% of students graduate on BOC these days).

[johnkennett 0]

Thanks for the feedback -- it's actually not as bad as I thought it might be!

I'll get some pictures sorted out and put it on Ebay to see what happens.

Cheers
John

[rasmack 0]

Come to think of it, I think we still have student rigs with that canopy combination at our DZ. Maybe a local DZ wants extra canopies.

Just a thought...

HF #682, Team Dirty Sanchez #227
“I simply hate, detest, loathe, despise, and abhor redundancy.”
- Not quite Oscar Wilde...

[Tonto 1]

Hi.

I know in South Africa, and I suspect in the US, that harnesses and reserves may not be used 20 years after Date of Manufacture. Depending on when in 1986 the rig was built - that gives it maybe 7 months till it's timexed, maybe 4 years on the reserve.

Anyway. It's up to the buyer to do their homework, I guess.

As a matter of interest, what was it that led you to stop jumping? Just want to know, so that it doesn't happen to me!

Blue Skies,

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[skybytch 273]

Quote

I suspect in the US, that harnesses and reserves may not be used 20 years after Date of Manufacture.

There is no set service life on containers or reserves in the US.

[riggerrob 643]

Ask your local rigger to thoroughly inspect it before you try jumping it again.
National Warp III mod advisory 350A covers reserve ripcord housing spacing from the last grommet.
Warp III harness/containers were popular during the early 1980s, but quickly wore out.
The two major wear points were the Type 8 harness and the miles (kilometers for Europeans) of Velcro. If those are still in good shape, then your Warp III should still be safe to jump.
I know that ROL pilotchutes are no longer fashionable for young jumpers, but it may be safer to leave well enough alone and not try teaching an old dog new tricks.
Also consider how flexible your shoulders are.
Again, the key is inspecting Velcro to ensure that it is still strong.
Not much point in selling it to a junior jumper as they will require too much sewing or re-training, though the reserve canopy still has some value remaining.

[johnkennett 0]

OK, it's on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7149804241

Let's see if anyone wants it!

Thanks
John