The long jump is the one I never made.
I was scheduled for 3 jumps from the A3: the orientation jump, the high speed jump, and the high altitude jump. For those more familiar with Air Force aircraft than Navy planes, think of a B55 with more powerful jet engines and a tail hook, and painted gray. To jump from the A3, you sat facing aft, dangling over the forward portion of the open bomb bay. When it was time to jump, you reached up, pulled yourself up and forward, and dropped down. You were immediately swept behind and under the tail, but towed along briefly by the draft of the aircraft. As you slow down and fall away, you simply assume a stable position and freefall until it’s time to open.
The orientation jump was from 12,500 feet, so a 60 second delay. We were not allowed to open below 4,000 feet. The jump went as advertised and was a great rush. The high speed jump was the same, except that the plane was flying at 275 knots indicated, about 350 mph true air speed. There was no way I could move my arms away from my body until I slowed enough, then I just gradually assumed a stable posture and enjoyed the 60 second freefall.
So the day came when I was to make the high altitude jump. I had never jumped above 12,500 feet. This was to be from 24,500 feet, a 120 second delay. That meant jumping with a bottle of bailout oxygen and the mask on. I was really looking forward to that jump. Unfortunately for me, the A3 was “down”, reportedly a nose wheel problem. By the time the nose wheel “problem” was fixed, I was no longer assigned to jump from the A3.
To this day I suspect that Bob had sabotaged his own aircraft. First, he didn’t approve of us jumping from the A3--he thought it was dangerous. Secondly, he didn’t approve of me jumping. So I suspect that he “arranged” for the nose gear to be “down” long enough that I wouldn’t get the high altitude jump!
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The Challenge for Thursday July 12, 2012 is to create a post with focus on "The Long Jumps In Our lives."
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Comments: 55
I had a friend that always did something dangerous every time he hit a 10th birthday. The last one I remember, he was 50 years old. He parachuted from a plane and broke his leg.
Cool image.
When you get into the freefall stage, it is so exhilarating that it's disappointing when it's time to open the 'chute.
All the more power to you for doing the jumps you did. I hate diving into a pool. My kids made me one summer.
Thanks for the comment, Kathryn.
I have watched my brother jump a few times....
Featured in Only the bravest in the Triple Name Club.
My selfish point of view - I'm kinda glad Bob vetoed it.
Our jump officer was afraid of heights! He couldn't climb a ladder to get his son's Frisbee off of the one story ranch style house roof, yet he jumped out of airplanes with impunity.
The view from that high would be amazing! Great story.
Thanks, Orb.
Thanks, Buzzy.
This was a great story but wow! Can you imagine just the thought of someone who would sabotaged his own aircraft!!
Was you in the armed forces?
I am just dropping by again to let you know that this post/photo is spotlighted in the
What Is Happening Today On Gather ~ Wednesday July 25, 2012
I hope you will have the time to view the other spotlighted posts/photos as well.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy life! It is far too short.
Thanks for the comment, Michelle.
Barbara was invited to watch one jump, which she did. Otherwise she didn't want to know when I was going to jump, but sometimes after my shower she would comment, "Oh, you jumped yesterday." She could see the "raspberries" on my shoulders from the opening shock when the 'chute opened.