parachutes ww1

alan peacock · 1 December 2005, 01:53 PM

I have just read a reply by Dan San to a post [October] regarding
the use of parachutes in WW1.
Dan states that he has info. of 69 instances of pilots
using parachutes in attempts to save their lives.
Could Dan give some info. on how many pilots were saved by parachutes?

Alan.
{Good to be welcomed back after my break !]

Dan_San_Abbott · 1 December 2005, 04:37 PM

Alan Peacock:
These all were German pilots using the Heinecke Fallschirm (Parachute.). The Heinecke Fallschirm became government furnished equipment tahe was delivered with each aircraft. I believe that C Class aircraft when delivered, were also equipped with the Heinecke Fallschirm. The 69 recorded uses includes those who were killed using the parachute. Generally it was a failure of the harness, as in Oblt. Erich Lowenhardt case and resulted in his death. Udet used the Heinecke twice to save his life. The first recorded use that I have, was a pilot from Jasta 56 who made a successful jump.
The German balloon observers use the Paulus Fallschirm, designed and manufactured by Kathe Paulus, a per-war aviatrix and parachutist.
Both parachutes were static-line operated.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

FlyXwire · 2 December 2005, 02:30 AM

Dan_San,

Thanks also for this information, and thank you for your continued devotion to advancing our knowledge of WWI air combat history and early aviation technology!

Many of us forum members continue to find yours, and the contributions of so many other Kanonen here, indispensable, to our study of this fascinating era.

alan peacock · 4 December 2005, 11:09 AM

Dan San,
Many thanks for your reply, the info. is very helpful and
detailed as always.

Cheers,
Alan.