aviation humo(u)r (semi-adult)

redc1c4 wrote:
as found on alt.binaries.images.fun:

redc1c4,
enjoy!


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And, in real life:

Some 40 years ago I parachuted from an Andover, which is/was a twin
engined tactical transport aircraft. All the other aircraft used by the
RAF at that time for paratrooping had a door either side, so the
"sticks" of paras could go out both sides simultaneously, but the HS
Andover only had one door, although I can't remember which side it was.

Its complement was modest, either 22 or 24 fully armed paratroopers,
and, as normal, you sat down both sides of the aircraft. When the
"action stations" order came you all stood up and hooked up, with those
on the same side as the door departing the aircraft first. I see from my
record book that I was due to be number 22 out of the aircraft, hence I
was in the stick that had to wait whilst the other one went. Once that
was clear the aircraft then did a circuit to drop the second lot.

Bouncing along at between 6-800 feet and trying to keep balance with a
full weapons pack hooked on to your main parachute harness, which
weighed a minimum of 60lbs, and usually a lot more, plus a reserve
parachute, gets a bit tedious, so I had the bright idea of hoisting my
weapons pack onto the seating that we'd just vacated, to ease the weight
on my shoulders. "Good idea" seemed to be the response from the lads as
they all followed suit. With the first stick now having gone I actually
felt the aircraft lurch and the wing on our side drop. The RAF
dispatcher - obviously having had a flea in his ear from the pilot - was
shouting that the pilot had requested that the animals move back towards
the centre of the aircraft, rather than gathering on one side, as he was
having a bit of a problem in maintaining level flight. Once done we
reverted to a normal flying mode.
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Moving things in still pictures!