Anyone use a parachute?

L

Loosearrow

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Picked one up the other day at a garage sale. It is white and not very big. I would prefer it to be OD green. Thought it might be handy for a shade canopy or drape around a cot or tarp to maybe keep the mosquitos out. I suppose you could also use it as a hammock. Seems very light. Lots of material for 5.00. and no holes. How would you use one in a survival situation? Insulation packed into your clothes, filter, cordage etc.
 
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Look up the US Army Survival manual for ideas. Lots of good uses for a parachute in a survival situation.

David
 
A parachute has as many uses as a bandana... I carry one in my van all the time.. Used it mosly for shade in the Desert. Its one of those things that you would be happy that you had it on you.

Sasha
 
my dad had a full sized parachute when I was a kid. we made a hammock out of it pretty . if need be you can cut it to make a Pancho out of it. roll up in it like a blanket. there is endless uses for it. I think it is best used for a big tarp style shelter.
 
Air Force survival manual- you can do so much with a parachute.... if you have a huge pot you could stuff it in there with some forrest green RIT dye and turn it green real quick. Man we used parachutes for so much stuff... Teepee style tents, sleeping bag liners, teepee style smokers.
 
Weren't early one made of fiberglass, and really itchy? I remember my Dad telling me stories of how they tricked new soldiers into washing their parachute with their underwear.:eek:
 
GPtuners said:
Weren't early one made of fiberglass, and really itchy? I remember my Dad telling me stories of how they tricked new soldiers into washing their parachute with their underwear.:eek:
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Uh, no. The early ones were made of silk.
 
The only times I've ever used a parachute was as a paratrooper in the Army. But I'd love to get my hands on one, preferably an MC-1B.....
 
I remember the old T-10. Sometimes you can still find them in surplus stores (how long does it take for the government to get rid of these things?). You might want to do a search online.
 
PayetteRucker said:
Air Force survival manual- you can do so much with a parachute.... if you have a huge pot you could stuff it in there with some forrest green RIT dye and turn it green real quick. Man we used parachutes for so much stuff... Teepee style tents, sleeping bag liners, teepee style smokers.
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Never thought of a dye. As a smoker the silk holds the smoke in? May work for braintanning. It would be nice to blend into the enviroment. Thought it might be good on a canoe trip to keep the bugs away at night. Don't know if the weave will shed water. Haven't had it that long. Very lightweight.
 
I picked up a 24 foot OD green parachute at my local surplus store for $30. Very good condition, with the exception that all the control lines were cut. The middle has a large hole with paracord running across it (12 strands total). No foreign made holes. Be advised, a 24 foot parachute is BIG. Weighs about 5-6 pounds if I guess correctly.
 
if you want to dye an old parachute you may just try tea, coffee thin out to the shade you like of you could even put some black walnut hulls in a bucket with some water and stain it that way. Pat
 
omniviking said:
if you want to dye an old parachute you may just try tea, coffee thin out to the shade you like of you could even put some black walnut hulls in a bucket with some water and stain it that way. Pat
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good idea camo it somewhat. May help to conceal your gear.
 
Loosearrow said:
Anyone use a parachute?
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I've used them for several jumps...it would have been painful without'em:D

There are several being used here in Afghanistan as shades...it's pretty harsh with the wind, dust and extreme heat/direct sun but they seem to hold up well.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I've used them for several jumps...it would have been painful without'em:D

There are several being used here in Afghanistan as shades...it's pretty harsh with the wind, dust and extreme heat/direct sun but they seem to hold up well.

ROCK6
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Sounds like a rush. Would be nice to have one that you actually jumped in wouldn't it?
 
Parachutes are fantastic up here in the North West. A little cumbersome to set up, but for a group camp it is great for dry and warm. We have set them up with about 10' - 12' poles around the perimeter and the lines tied out as guy-line. If the chute is a little slack, that is best. We'll build a large fire under the center and the heat pushes the center up while circulating it to the edges. This creates quite a heat barrier for folks, and it also keeps the chute pretty dry in the rain. I went to a Medieval event in Vancouver, Washington some years ago and saw this done for a very large group with a huge cargo parachute. That was incredible, but not something I'd attempt.
 
One of the most miserable nights I spent was in a parachute tent at Eglin AFB as part of survival training. It would have been worse in the open!
 
ROCK6 said:
I've used them for several jumps...it would have been painful without'em:D

There are several being used here in Afghanistan as shades...it's pretty harsh with the wind, dust and extreme heat/direct sun but they seem to hold up well.

ROCK6
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In my only jump I had one and it was still VERY painful, so I guess I use a parachute very poorly:foot:
 
A parachute would obviously be very handy if you got parachuted from an airplane, or salvage it from a plane wreck.
If you have it on hand it would be dumb not to use it since it iss, basically a very large piece or fairly light and tough peace of fabric.
Yet as a piece of kit/bob it is too heavy to be carried around by a single person. May be useful as a group shelter or for some car camping/long term shelter.
Fabric varies, generally pretty good but rarely as good the "real" modern stuff.
Fairly inexpensive for what it is too (if you compare to tents).
Great for playing/experimenting with.
 
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