ikenever 1 #1 April 11, 2005 After 3 weeks of making a pattern, 3 weeks to cut the pieces and 3 weeks to assemble, (after work hobby time) it will be my first and last self made suit. I read a post one day that theres not much to a suit and why do they cost so much? Well... for a do it your self-er, 9 weeks and 60+ pieces I'll stick with the pros from now on. I have purchased a GTI, S3 and have a V-1 on it's way. I will gladly pay the price regardless of it's cost. The manufactures earn every dime and now I speak with experience. I am sick of sewing!!! But... the suit was worth the challenge. I didn't reinvent anything. Just borrowed my favorite features from each of my purchased suits. I do think I may have made some improvements on pressurized wings. In flight the wings feel very rigid. The only difference is that I used a 2 fabric type rib in each of the 3 wings. The leading edge to half way of each rib is mesh transitioned to balloon fabric. There are 3 stiffener's in each arm wing and 3 in the 3 middle ribs for the tail wing. Each rib has diagonal reinforcement to eliminate warp. I have to admit that it flies well with little to no arm or leg strain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #2 April 11, 2005 THAT IS SCHWEET! Good job!Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #3 April 11, 2005 Awesome! Looks like an Angel. Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #4 April 11, 2005 Wow BJ, that's really in impressive accomplishment. You should be justifiably proud of your work. Anyone who builds a canopy, wingsuit or rig from scratch has my sincere admiration. Cool that it flies well, how does it compare to a Vampire or S-3?Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unclecharlie95 3 #5 April 11, 2005 Wow!! Impressive! We want inflight pics and a full debrief Only 60 parts, that is good rationalization also.. and what is the name of thy new wings?BASEstore.it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #6 April 11, 2005 Hey, I"d love to put a full story with pics of this on flybirdman if you're willing to get something together! Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCARYPERRY 0 #7 April 11, 2005 i get to take pics in two weeks!!!!!,to bad my scarwny ass will only fill half of it!!!! looken forward to your visit BJ!!!!!Only he can be happy,who can make his the present hour,for today he has lived Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikenever 1 #8 April 11, 2005 Well no. I lied. I think I pulled that number out of the air. I went over the whole thing and realized there are 60 pieces in one wing only. (counting the cable tabs) With 3 wings that means 180 pieces. Once I took inventory on each single piece large or small I counted 257 pieces. This includes fabric (balloon zp & mesh) zippers, snaps, stiffeners, nylon binding or reinforcement tapes, lycra, velcro, cables, cable loops and bootie soles. As far as a name goes, I guess I could call it a mutt! (mixed breed) V-1S3GTI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikenever 1 #9 April 11, 2005 As Perry said he and I will meet up for some flying later this month. If he's willing to take some photos I will try to get his permission and pass them along to you. Thanks for your interest. B.J. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #10 April 12, 2005 It looks like you did a fantastic job on your suit! Very, very stylish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unclecharlie95 3 #11 April 12, 2005 Quote I counted 257 pieces. ok, thats more like it. QuoteI guess I could call it a mutt! (mixed breed) V-1S3GTI The V-1S3GTI it is! BASEstore.it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #12 April 12, 2005 QuoteQuoteI guess I could call it a mutt! (mixed breed) V-1S3GTI The V-1S3GTI it is! Classic Prodigal Sugarcoated V-1S3GTIJC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #13 April 12, 2005 I'm impressed! I always wanted to make a WS and eventually I will but the work involved must be tremendous.Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #14 April 13, 2005 Very nice indeed! Can you imagine doing this without a background in rigging/suitmaking I couldn't? Do you recall roughly how many man-hours of actual work, not counting contemplation time? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikenever 1 #15 April 14, 2005 Having a rigging background did help. Been rigging since 1978. Have suit making experience also. (about 25) The pattern took about 45 hours to produce. The pieces were cut in 10 hours and assembly took 60 hours. It took 12 seconds to put the pattern in the garbage can after I was finished. (Maybe 11 seconds) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedformula 0 #16 April 14, 2005 << It took 12 seconds to put the pattern in the garbage can after I was finished.>> from what altitude ? Keeping it real 22x7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #17 April 14, 2005 depends when he deployed?Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikenever 1 #18 April 17, 2005 Well Ed the V-1S3GTI is now called the Angel. I've had many others at my local dz make that same comment. "For what it's worth" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfnren 2 #19 April 20, 2005 maybe you should dig it out and sell to a manufacturer? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
