The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - First use of a parachute (aircraft) during WW1 ...

Dan_San_Abbott · 28 July 2004, 01:14 PM

Volker:
The first reported use of a parachute, was by Ltn. Helmut Steinbrecher, a pilot in Jasta 46 on 27 June 1918 when he jumped out of his blazing Alb.D.V. Shortly after 0900 hrs a Kette of Jasta 46 engaged 12 aircraft of Sopwith and S.E.5a machines NW of Amiens at 4500 meters about 2 km behind the british lines. He was engaged by a British plane which had holed his gas tank, Ltn. Steinbrecher dove to escape and leveled out around 2500 meters, the flames enveloped to fuselage and also came into the cockpit, without hesitation, he unfastened his seat belts and and put the plane into a dive and was ejected from the plane and somerrsaulted as the parachute opened he was suspended head down, making some move freed his feet and he descended feet down in the normal manner.
He landed in the German lines without injury and return to Jasta 46.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

28 July 2004, 01:14 PM	#2
Dan_San_Abbott Rest in Peace Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ceres, California Posts: 9,118	Volker: The first reported use of a parachute, was by Ltn. Helmut Steinbrecher, a pilot in Jasta 46 on 27 June 1918 when he jumped out of his blazing Alb.D.V. Shortly after 0900 hrs a Kette of Jasta 46 engaged 12 aircraft of Sopwith and S.E.5a machines NW of Amiens at 4500 meters about 2 km behind the british lines. He was engaged by a British plane which had holed his gas tank, Ltn. Steinbrecher dove to escape and leveled out around 2500 meters, the flames enveloped to fuselage and also came into the cockpit, without hesitation, he unfastened his seat belts and and put the plane into a dive and was ejected from the plane and somerrsaulted as the parachute opened he was suspended head down, making some move freed his feet and he descended feet down in the normal manner. He landed in the German lines without injury and return to Jasta 46. Blue skies, Dan-San