cosmobuddy

Doc: As you know, in the very early days, PARACHUTIST was published by the Parachute Club of America. The magazine didn't come out on a very regular schedule back then. So, the numbering sequence was hap-hazard. Maybe there was some form of newsletter that the National Parachute Riggers-Jumpers published prior PCA days. I have never actually seen or heard of such a series of documents if they did exist. The oldest PARACHUTIST that I have in my collection is: Volume I October, 1960 Number 7. The postmark on it shows that it was mailed on Nov 22, 1960. The only issues that I am missing are numbers 1 thru 6 and any issued in 1960 that were published after issue 7. If you want, I can try to scan the covers of the pre-1963 issues that I have (they just look like typed pages though) and get them to you for your "covers" webpage. I have a full set of Volume II from 1961 (and forward). There were a total of 10 issues for 1961; Sept / Oct were combined into one issue noted as "Nos. 9 and 10"; as well as Nov / Dec into one issue noted as "Nos. 11 and 12". 1962 went as follows: Jan #1, Feb #2, Mar #3, Apr #4, May #5, June #6, July-Aug #7, Sept #8, Oct-Nov #9, Dec #10. It wasn't until 1963 when the publication changed from a "typed text" style of printing into what started to appear as a magazine as we know it today. The Jan, 1963 issue describes that issue as the "new PARACHUTIST". From 1963 forward, there were 12 issues published each year. USPA is supposed to have a complete set from issue #1. Hopefully, they will be on display in the new museum. Another good source for information would be Dan Poynter. And, yes, Lew Sanborn too. Fred www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

The dates are actually May 20 & 21 www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

On July 4th, 1987, N132E, a Twin Beech, crashed just a little south of Lakeside, MT, with Joe Taylor at the controls. In the right seat was his girlfriend, Jeannie. Jeannie was Rozzo's wife's (Frankie) sister. The Montana Band (and a few guests) were in the back. Total souls on board were ten. The Montana Band had just played at a private party that afternoon at one of the homes along Flathead Lake. The story goes that after fueling at the Kalispell City Airport for the return trip to Idaho, it was decided to fly back down along the lake and do a flyby at the party site. The first pass was from the lake toward the shoreline and house; behind the house was rising terrain. After the pass, an abrupt 180 degree turn (wingover/hammerhead turn) was attempted to line up the aircraft for a second pass toward the house; with downsloping terrain this time. The aircraft did not maintain enough altitude to stay in the air crashing through trees and bursting into flames short of the house. Another factor was the general weather conditions that day. We had been jumping all day at Lost Prairie (about 30 miles from the crashsite) and it was noted that the climbs to altitude were very slow. It was a hot day; the density altitude was way up there. Joe was a very talented pilot. I made many jumps from Rozzo's Beeches with him as PIC. I always felt very safe with him. In fact, we had been jumping N132E the weekend prior the crash at one of the Chico Hot Springs boogies. The Montana Band and it's various off-shoots were and still are a part of the music scene in the Northwest since the 1970s. Rob Quist is one of the main driving forces of the current group. I met some of the members of the old group as early as 1969 as they traveled the area performing at teen dances and one-night gigs. I went to high school with Terry Robinson's brother, Bruce. The name of the group appeared several different ways; The Montana Band, The Mission Mountain Woodband, Woodband, and a few others. Regarding a fatal crash at Chico Hot Springs, yes, that happened on June 27th, 1996, when a PA-28 was attempting to land. There were two people killed. We used to use the paved road leading up to the resort as the runway. It wasn't an easy place to get in and out. Turbulence and gusting winds were factors in this crash. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

http://projectpi.skydiveworld.com/index.htm www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Quote D-5465 doesn't show up in the USPA database. C-11707 belongs to Martin Fawcett. His membership expired in 2003. Last shown in the Mountain Region; UT, WY, CO, southeastern ID. Jog any braincells? ripcord4 is correct in his Capewell discriptions. You had two shots in your photo. The reserve container looks big enough to hold a 28' reserve. "I found my old faded first jump certificate in an old photo album. I can't read my Instructors signiture but I think it says Bob something. He was D-5465. I never talked to him again after that day. My Jumpmasters signature looks like Martin Something....C-11707. The attached photo is my second jump 3 months later in Oregon." www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

http://www.edgewise-media.com/gafferstape.html www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Any news on how they are doing? www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Rob: The only RV/trailer rental company that can help is J&L Rentals. Ask for John. 406-892-7666 or www.jandlrentals.com. Gardner got out of the rental business. See you in July, Fred www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Your timeframe is probably more accurate then my memory. 33GC never flew any jumpers while here. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Jon: I remember this plane being in Kalispell, MT, in the mid-70s. Had a jump door on it then but I seem to remember that it was "converted" back to original configuration. The FAA database now shows that the plane is owned by a corporation with a Delaware address. Fred www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

"Lyle passed away some years ago, but his son Lyle Jr still jumps out at Perris, usually on Air Trash Days (last Saturday of the month). He's got the entire Ripcord collection at home." As I recall, Lyle, Sr., D-561, died in Central America during the summer of 1993. Cessna 180 crash (?) Has Lyle, Jr. ever considered releasing his collection? In these days when the history of the sport is dying day by day, bringing RIPCORD back to light would help keep the beginnings of the sport alive. I would be willing to do what it takes to help with the project. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

"I DID notice the lack of legstraps! How does the person stay in? Are you saying that you were in on that stunt? Cool! " I only did the easy work. The Wonderhog was just a prop. It had no canopies in it. Each of the jumpers shown in the freefall fight scene (BJ Worth & Jake Lombard) had "suit-rigs" under their costumes. Very small and thin. There is where the real creative rigging was done. Mike Zahar from Canada was the primarily engineer for those rigs. Here is some info about the rigs from Al MacDonald of Flying High: "The main pilot chute was in the right pants pocket.... a classic "throw out" design. The bridle unpeeled from the waist band, popped a pin that opened the main container, and the pants dropped down. Cutaway handle was in the usual place, but under the suit jacket, and the reserve pilot chute was on the left side under the suit jacket -- reserve deployment was a 3-pin pullout. (In the case of an emergency) The jumper pulled the reserve pilot chute out of the pouch and kept pulling until the pins popped, then let go of it. I don't believe the reserve was ever deployed in the number of movies the rigs were used on." www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

The red and gold rig at the beginning of Moonraker was a Wonderhog. BJ asked me to change the harness so it could easily be taken off and put on in freefall. If you look closely at the scenes in Moonraker, you will see that the rig does not have legstraps. Basically, it had a split cheststrap with Velcro hook on one side and Velcro pile on the other. Same with the "bellyband". www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Photo #1: The Starlite was one of the hot new tandem rigs on the market, from Strong Enterprises. Of course, "tandem" back then just meant that both the main and reserve chutes were on your back, instead of having a belly-mount reserve. The photo is actually of Ron Walker (who worked for Strong at the time) showing off the new Strong Starlite Combination Tandem rig . . . one of the first, if not the first, student piggyback rigs. The photo appeared on the front cover of the rig's owner manual. Yes, the rig was based off the "sport" Starlite piggback used by RWers of the day, 1975. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

We just stopped by and visited Mikey, Lena, and Brock Adrian. They are planning to be home on Tuesday. Direct e-mail to them at: prairiehouse@centurytel.net PS: For all of you betting on hair color . . . brown. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

#100, on a Thunderbow. #400, on a baby Para-Plane; first square jump #1000, fell base for a kid from Canada so he could practice dive swooping. #8000, 5th in on an 8 way. Lots of pies along the way. We used to "grease" a jumper who reached a milestone, whatever it was. We collected drippings and stale booze from the bar and restaurant in a 5 gallon buckle and dumped it on the head of the recipient. Finally quite doing that when the stench got so bad, it was gaging. And, the neighborhood dogs wouldn't clean up the mess any more. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Did a couple attempts during daylight but never got it. So, we did it at night. Z-hills, 12-20-80. NSCSA #39 Extra info: Joe Svec, NSCSA #5, died while doing stuntwork on "The Right Stuff"; 01-14-83. His name appears on the bottom of the NSCSA membership cards. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Cary: Your name is one of the many that I remember from Cal City. I worked for Van during the '85/'86 winter season in the "loft" and doing AFF. Gawd, 20 years ago now. Very good times with Bill Reed, Bob Sinclair, Roy Keck, Andy Anderson, Joan E Mahony, Philly, Nick Grebb, Dan Bardwell, Ron Setina, Greg Schaper, Bill Estes, Roger the pilot, Terri, Sammy Ramos, Tom Campbell, Ursala, Mike DeLuna, Virginia Morris, and on and on. Memorable moments of my visit: A jump into the Silver Saddle Resort and trying to find Roger's van in the desert the next day. Watching the live coverage of the Challenger shuttle disaster on the dz TV. Holding in trust Roger's 45 while he and Terri "worked things out". Coming back to Montana with Joaquin Valley Fever. And, oh ya, wind, wind, wind. And, oh ya, drinking beer. Fred www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Yes, it's a MK I Para-Commander. The only thing I see odd is the stabilizers. Looks like they may have a logo on them? www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

From the 60s?. I need just a few issues from the very early 60s to complete my collection of PARACHUTIST. I need a couple SKYDIVER from that ear too. I'd be willing to trade or buy if you have any issues to help me fill my empty slots. Any help out there from anyone? www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

Roche went in at Sheridan, Oregon, when Teddy Mayfield was the DZO. 14,000+ jumps. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

The first time that I jumped the DC-3 that crashed in Alaska was when the registration number was N109Z; red, white, and black at the time, circa 1973(?) and at the old Z-Hills when Jim Hooper ran the place. Then, it was repainted light blue and royal blue and the registration was changed to N111ST (Sky Train). The date of the crash in AK was 07-01-81; almost 24 years ago to the day. I can't remember the pilots but I do believe that Greg Wirth was crewing on that flight and died along with the pilots. The C-47 that drug Michael was N140T, the silver aircraft that was at Z-Hills for years. No longer in the FAA registration. N129H is the only DC-3 that I know of that was ever referred to as Mr Douglas. Yes, sad to see that she is park and looking like a derelict. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

It's coming up quick. Less then a month to go ! See our website for details and updates. To help clarify some confusion, there are plenty of RV and campsites available at the drop zone. But, there are only a few RV sites still available that have electrical hookups. There is a charge for the power hookups, BUT NO ADDITIONAL FEES OR CHARGES TO BRING YOUR RV OR TRAILER and be right at the drop zone. The only fee to set up camp (without power) is included in the usual modest Boogie registration fee of $20.00. See you soon, www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com

I turn my cellphone off here. You can find a couple hot spots but they are few and far between. I am with CellularOne. They have a tower about 11 miles away but blocked by the ridges. No more payphone at the Lounge. www.SkydiveLostPrairie.com