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That's the common view. But the historical weather record from the Portland Airport (with similar numbers in Seattle) tell a different story: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KPDX/1971/11/24/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Portland+International&req_state=OR&req_statename=Oregon By 8PM ground winds were running about six miles an hour, with light showers. Temperature in the low 40's. Not the best conditions, but certainly not storm conditions. Come on Robert, don't ruin the romance and danger with facts. Up the winds, drop the temp, throw in some turbulence and lightning. Don't forget that the A in AB stands for adventure, not accuracy. It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning lit up the sky and deafening thunderclaps echoed through the Washougal. The 727 bucked and pitched in severe turbulence as Cooper groped his way down the wildly oscillating stairs and stared into the formidable darkness that lurked below. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Bob, Regarding Janet. She might have seen a plane. She might have seen a flare. How can you seriously believe that she could see a human figure on the lowered stairs given the distance and conditions? It is nearly impossible and I don't buy it. I've watched lots of jumps from the ground, including DC 9 jet jumps, and have a pretty good idea about what can and can't be seen. Also her story about being threatened by MIBs doesn't make sense. If the authorities wanted to keep her quiet the best way would be to politely thank her for her very important info, assure her that it was being given top priority and ask her to keep it very confidential. And if a flare was tossed, why was she the only person who saw it? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

I've always wondered about the shoe. Thanks for checking in Wilrat. It is very possible for a loafer type shoe to come off during a hard opening. The Prick 25 was an oversized beast given its low power output. Very outdated by 71 but still used by the Army long after more modern and much lighter VHF low band FM radio gear was available. Wonder if Jerry used em? http://www.tourofdutyinfo.com/ToDAdvisorwebpages/fieldradio2.html Odd that the shoe vanished. Seems like it would have been treated as possible evidence, tagged, bagged etc. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Takes a lot of HP to do it right. Our local tunnel routinely burns 300 KW and much more for head down flying. I saw homemade tunnel on a flatbed. Had A Detroit 12-71 diesel driving a DC 3 prop through a right angle gearbox. A 12-71 puts out at least 550 HP. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/188 The local paper in Minneapolis posted the flight crews' addresses in their story about the hijacking. I caught that also - a relative of mine with the FBI just shit when he saw that. What was on their minds!? It seemed to reflect a sense of personal isolation at the time, something no one would take for granted today. Odd indeed. A violent felon is on the run. A victim can ID him. A newspaper then prints her home address. Shessh! Maybe the FBI convinced everyone that Cooper had cratered for sure, but as I recall it took some time for that conclusion to be aired. Sure, Tina's address might have been in the phone book, but this sure gave someone with a motive to silence her a big head start. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

No, the reports portray Cooper as a bomb toting gentleman, but Bob Knoss says he was quite the opposite and may have assaulted Tina. Nobody but Tina and Cooper really know. Tina doesnt look traumatized in the same day photos, but her behavior later suggests otherwise. Tina isn't likely to solve this case, but a reclusive beauty who was a principal witness to and victim of a very high publicity crime is guaranteed to keep interest up. I like to think that Tina has conquered her demons and is living a happy life now. Hope that's the case. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Has anyone considered the possibility that Cooper convinced Tina that he knew who she was and would harm her or her family if she ID'd him? That tactic has been used on eyewitnesses before and if they feel the threat is credible they sometimes hold back or even misrepresent key info. Just a thought. Eyewiness testimony from stressed crime victims is so unreliable. You really have to have been on the front lines to appreciate that fact. I saw cases where the accused bore VERY little resemblance to the victim-witness on scene description yet was later proven to be the guilty party by fingerprint evidence. The victims often get everything wrong, even eye color, hair color and height can be way off. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Georger wrote: Nope. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Blevins wrote: Remember the days of Coffee, Tea or Me? Robert sure does. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Blevins wrote: Agree! 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Farlung wrote: What if Sirens (mythical songstresses of great beauty and attractive force) are depicted behind the Monsters? Do you go or do you stay? Cooper left his Siren on the plane and chose instead to face the monsters of the Death Woods. It wasn't a tough choice. Another hour with Tina and 25 to life in prison or take your chances in the Maelstrom with the possibility of freedom and riches. Is the Cooper story more like Shakespeare's work or Homer's? Your opinion Farflung? Nietzche is not an option nor is Ken Kesey or Snowmman's choice: Hunter Thompson. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

I didnt ask why he took things in general, I wondered why he chose Kool Aid as the particular item to steal. It just seems odd. Do you have an explanation Jo? Didnt you say he had a huge stash of Kool Aid? Just wonderin... 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Love is a wonderful thing Jo. Through the eyes of love Duane is cleansed, rehabilitated and completely transformed into a loveable charitable guy. He's dead, so why not recall him as you wished he were. No harm in that, no harm at all. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Puzzling. Any explanation for his choice of things to shoplift? Classic Duane though, couldnt even shoplift Kool Aid without being detected. What are the odds he could pull off Norjack? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Hello 377: The D.B. Cooper investigation remains open and has not been solved. Accordingly, the FBI does not have definitive proof that Paul Quade was NOT the skyjacker D.B. Cooper. Mr. Quade's involvement with DC 9 jumping at Perris Valley has not escaped our attention, nor has his curious assignment as mediator of what we consider to be a primary source of credible leads and evidence, the dropzone.com DB Cooper forum. Your understanding that “the Bureau’s official position is that he was not the guy” is incorrect; no one has been officially ruled out unless and until the case is solved. There are other individuals currently believed to be more viable suspects, such as Ted Braden, but no one has been officially ruled out, not even Duane Weber. Regards, Larry Special Agent L. Carr FBI, Seattle TDY Wash. DC SAC Project Norjack 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Great FBI letter Robert. Amend your book sleeve to include it. I wonder if I could get the FBI to write an identical one about Sheridan Peterson? They did rule him out on a comparison between his DNA and the tie DNA, but maybe they will overlook that and give me a letter like Blevins got. Until the case is solved EVERYONE is a possible suspect, even Vicki and Jo. This sentence in the FBI letter did catch my attention though: OK, Who? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Speaking of the Twilight Zone, remember when Snowmman humorously showed that Rod Serling was a good DBC candidate. Close resemblance to the sketch and Rod was a paratrooper. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Rehab, abstinence, religion... nothing cures the DBCrack addiction. If you ban addicts from this alley they just smoke the stuff somewhere else. Bob is still "on the pipe" just like all of us. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Robert, How do you explain KC's alleged abrupt transition from law abiding guy, loyal wage earner, soldier, etc to one of the most clever innovative criminals of the 20th century? That's not usually the case on major crimes. There is almost always a long history of escalating criminal behavior. You have KC going from a peaceful guy with no record to a bomb toting skyjacker who takes down a $200,000 ransom then does what was thought to be impossible: jumps out of an airborne passenger jet with the loot. Please give us your thoughts on this unlikely abrupt metamorphisis. Maybe it's not so uncommon on skyjackings. I dont think McCoy had a prior criminal history, but he was a copycat. DBC was the original and there is a difference. MUCH riskier being the first. More unknowns. Takes more courage. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Self imposed bans should be revocable in my opinion. As I recall it wasn't a punishment but a request. He's hardly doing a stealth re-entry. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Jo, Its tough for felon ex cons to get jobs, I agree with you. It's a problem that makes recidivism more likely. It's hard but not impossible for people with criminal records to get professional licenses. I know a lawyer and a physician's assistant who had drug and firearm convictions before they got licensed. They showed remarkable rehabilitation including thousands of volunteer hours helping impoverished people. Duane NEVER showed this kind of dedication to helping the less fortunate. You take food to the homeless. Show me comparable altruism by Duane. Nobody is beyond redemption as long as their heart beats, but few criminals like Duane turn things around and live straight lives. I see no evidence of remorse, no efforts to make his victims whole, nothing that evidences a new way of looking at his criminal actions. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Jo wrote: Really? Duane? Tell me ONE person who has been inspired by Duane Weber's alleged turnaround. What proof have you that he changed his evil thieving conning ways? I know you loved him Jo, but Duane is hardly a candidate for beatification or even admiration. Time for some tough love and a reality check. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

I don't share Jo's dark view of Blevins. He is just a writer who pursued a KC=DBC theory and publshed a book about it. I don't agree with his KC=DBC thesis but I am glad he got some major DBC publicity through the MytHistory Channel video. Jo keeps all these secrets, often teases and posts theories just as speculative as anything Blevins has posted or published. Blevins never claimed to be able to prove that KC=DBC. Jo has, in the past, claimed that she could prove that DW=DBC but has never delivered the proof. I am glad both of them post here. No need to take shots at each other. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Heatmiser writes: which links to a youtube video of Rick Astley singing Never Gonna Give You Up. I prefer the late Rick James over Rick Astley (the music, not the behavior). If Michael Jackson had Rick Jame's constitution he'd be alive today. Rick did amazing amounts of hard drugs for years and in the end was felled by pulmonary disease, not an OD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_James If your point is that someone knows who Cooper is but is "never gonna give you up", then you are at the wrong place. Everyone is giving up Coopers here. We have at least half a dozen served up so far. 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

The FBI has no right to keep the chute if the finders want it returned. Blevins could ask them to request it's return and then have it examined by independent experts. Cosseys rigger log has the SN of every emergency canopy he has packed. If he says the Amboy canopy isn't the Cooper chute I believe him. If it were the Cooper chute it would belong to Cossey and be worth thousands of dollars. Why would he pass up the opportunity? 377 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.