Surplus Military Canopy

[Radioahole 0]

Hello all, have a rig Ive been trying to finish piecing together. Problem is, I dont know exactly which equipment I should use when it comes to weight and what is designed for this canopy. It's a 9 cell military surplus. Grey spec ops type. The 550 cord is in great shape and was never demilled. Slider is in good shape and all the stitching on the canopy looks good. No water stains or storage damage is apparent. I have a pair of risers but I do NOT believe they will hold me. I'm 209, 5'11". I can post some more detailed pics if needed(prolly will be). Thank you for any help/advice in advance.

OK, I'm gonna need a lil advice on how to post a pic. Not used to this style of forum. It's showing as an attachment. Hopefully that is what I'm supposed to do.

[BillyVance 34]

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OK, I'm gonna need a lil advice on how to post a pic. Not used to this style of forum. It's showing as an attachment. Hopefully that is what I'm supposed to do.

That is how we do it here.

As for the equipment, if you're not sure, always seek out a certified rigger. JMO.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[ripcord4 0]

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Hello all, have a rig Ive been trying to finish piecing together. Problem is, I dont know exactly which equipment I should use when it comes to weight and what is designed for this canopy. It's a 9 cell military surplus. Grey spec ops type. The 550 cord is in great shape and was never demilled. Slider is in good shape and all the stitching on the canopy looks good. No water stains or storage damage is apparent. I have a pair of risers but I do NOT believe they will hold me. I'm 209, 5'11". I can post some more detailed pics if needed(prolly will be). Thank you for any help/advice in advance.

OK, I'm gonna need a lil advice on how to post a pic. Not used to this style of forum. It's showing as an attachment. Hopefully that is what I'm supposed to do.

Hard to tell from your picture but it appears to be one of the MT canopies from the MC-4 freefall system. Is the data panel legible enough to read?

[PhreeZone 20]

What exactly is the intent on the rig? Static display on the ground or something that you eventually want to jump? I'm going to concur it looks like an MC4 canopy. They are a solid canopy that is on the large side and will have issues packing into most sport rigs. I have an MC4 and its roughly the same size as the tandem rigs I jump on the weekends.

I'd have an FAA rigger look it over to give you the run down on the canopy especially if you are ever intending on jumping it to make sure you know what you have and what you can do with it.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Radioahole 0]

I believe you're right about it being an MC4. I hope these two pics will come up clear enough to read. Gotta love cell phone cams. The intended use of this rig is to jump. I was hoping to find gear that would have been issued with this type of canopy. Like the harness, risers, etc.

[NovaTTT 2]

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The intended use of this rig is to jump. I was hoping to find gear that would have been issued with this type of canopy. Like the harness, risers, etc.

PM Scott Campos (DZ.com moderator LouDiamond). He seems to have a lot of experience and knowlege about the this military system.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[PhreeZone 20]

I'll ask the question about why do you want to jump this canopy? Outside of special purposes (extremely large jumper, specialty jump, military tie in) its not a canopy that will be used a lot in skydiving and the original equipment that this was packed in would need some modifications to meet the requirements for a lot of modern skydiving or student operations. The MC4 ontainer would need a Master rigger retrofit it for a CYPRES AAD for starters, it would also potenitally need converted to a BOC deployment.

Your profile says that you want to become licensed but its too much money right now so I just want to make sure you realize that this canopy might not make it any cheaper for you to jump.

LouDiamond, SkyMonkeyONE or SlotPerfect will also have some current military knowledge on this canopy if needed.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Radioahole 0]

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I'll ask the question about why do you want to jump this canopy? Outside of special purposes (extremely large jumper, specialty jump, military tie in) its not a canopy that will be used a lot in skydiving and the original equipment that this was packed in would need some modifications to meet the requirements for a lot of modern skydiving or student operations. The MC4 ontainer would need a Master rigger retrofit it for a CYPRES AAD for starters, it would also potenitally need converted to a BOC deployment.

Your profile says that you want to become licensed but its too much money right now so I just want to make sure you realize that this canopy might not make it any cheaper for you to jump.

LouDiamond, SkyMonkeyONE or SlotPerfect will also have some current military knowledge on this canopy if needed.

See I did not know any of that. I was able to get the canopy for pretty cheap and figured it would make a good first rig. Shows what I know. I may just turn this canopy into a parasail canopy and be done with it.

Any advice about getting a good first rig? Or has that been beaten to death round here and I could easily search for it?


BTW, to everyone, Thank you for the quick replies. I asked about this canopy in a military forum and got zilch for an answer.

[Andy9o8 2]

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Any advice about getting a good first rig? Or has that been beaten to death round here and I could easily search for it?

Yep, it's a frequently-asked question, and there's a ton of good info on here that can be had with searching, reading and patience. If you have trouble with the search function, let us know and we'll be happy to give you a few pointers.

Gear-specific issues aside, as you go thru your search-n-read, you'll see one common theme being told to student jumpers, especially those who have not yet gone through training: don't buy a rig until you've gone through your basic training jumps and have been cleared to self-supervise.

First of all, you need to be sure you'll stick to it after student status. Trust me, you don't know the answer to that yet. Second, the DZs you train at will probably insist you use (read: rent) their gear before you're cleared to self-supervise in any event. Third, until you've got a few jumps under your belt, and have the benefit of instructors who know you (and your body type), know your skill-set and can give you advice specifically tailored to you, you really don't know remotely enough about gear to start buying it now. Learn first, Grasshopper. Then buy.

[theonlyski 8]

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Hello all, have a rig Ive been trying to finish piecing together. Problem is, I dont know exactly which equipment I should use when it comes to weight and what is designed for this canopy. It's a 9 cell military surplus. Grey spec ops type. The 550 cord is in great shape and was never demilled. Slider is in good shape and all the stitching on the canopy looks good. No water stains or storage damage is apparent. I have a pair of risers but I do NOT believe they will hold me. I'm 209, 5'11". I can post some more detailed pics if needed(prolly will be). Thank you for any help/advice in advance.

OK, I'm gonna need a lil advice on how to post a pic. Not used to this style of forum. It's showing as an attachment. Hopefully that is what I'm supposed to do.

Hard to tell from your picture but it appears to be one of the MT canopies from the MC-4 freefall system. Is the data panel legible enough to read?

AFAIK MC-4's use 7-cell main and reserves, 370ft²

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[LouDiamond 1]

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I'll ask the question about why do you want to jump this canopy? Outside of special purposes (extremely large jumper, specialty jump, military tie in) its not a canopy that will be used a lot in skydiving and the original equipment that this was packed in would need some modifications to meet the requirements for a lot of modern skydiving or student operations. The MC4 ontainer would need a Master rigger retrofit it for a CYPRES AAD for starters, it would also potenitally need converted to a BOC deployment.

Your profile says that you want to become licensed but its too much money right now so I just want to make sure you realize that this canopy might not make it any cheaper for you to jump.

LouDiamond, SkyMonkeyONE or SlotPerfect will also have some current military knowledge on this canopy if needed.

See I did not know any of that. I was able to get the canopy for pretty cheap and figured it would make a good first rig. Shows what I know. I may just turn this canopy into a parasail canopy and be done with it.

Any advice about getting a good first rig? Or has that been beaten to death round here and I could easily search for it?


BTW, to everyone, Thank you for the quick replies. I asked about this canopy in a military forum and got zilch for an answer.

Phree pretty much summed it up. You are not any where near heavy enough to forego normal sports equipment which will serve you better in the long run. It's the really heavy guys who usually build a MC4 rig up for personal use.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[PhreeZone 20]

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I may just turn this canopy into a parasail canopy and be done with it.

I would advise not using a RamAir for a parasail. There are a lot of reasons that they are not including Lockout situations which lead to serious injury and the ability to turn yourself into the ground at a rate of speed high enough to kill you when being towed. Rounds are best to be towed behind boats and then only certian types of rounds really work great.

IMO the MC4 canopy is only really good for skydiving or static displays on the ground. If you decide to sell it there are really large jumpers that would pick it up form you so it might not be a total wash out for you.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[LouDiamond 1]

I recommend selling it to one of the larger guys. It shouldn't be hard as it looks like your canopy is in good condition. From what I can see of it, it looks like it was removed from service because it met the 12 year life cycle the Military has for those canopies.


Towing a round or square canopy behind anything is really just a bad idea and a really good way to seriously hurt yourself.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[Radioahole 0]

Phree, LouDiamond, Thank you very much for the advice. It looks like ebay will be where I place this chute, then. I'm in no way a big guy and it sounds like I'm not big enough for this kind of chute. I can see how a guy my size would need one if I was in the service, once you add on all the other gear(weapon system, ruck, other items). It's surprisingly in good shape so hopefully someone will snatch this up in the quickness.

So let me ask this question, if you dont mind, about first jumps. Tandem or Solo? I really dont want to do the tandem. I wold rather just start the AFF.

[PhreeZone 20]

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Tandem or Solo? I really dont want to do the tandem. I wold rather just start the AFF.

Tons of threads about this already but if you want to do AFF then do AFF

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[BlindBrick 0]

I base jumped with one of those. The first opening was interesting, the second even more so since it was wet.

-Blind

"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it."

[Radioahole 0]

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Tandem or Solo? I really dont want to do the tandem. I wold rather just start the AFF.

Tons of threads about this already but if you want to do AFF then do AFF

Well, I live in Dallas, Tx and a lot of the schools here recommend a tandem first jump to see if you'll like the sport. I hate to sound like the eager youngster(because I'm not) but I believe I will love this sport. SO I dont want to waste money on a tandem, just to ride some dude's junk to the ground and satisfy their curiosity of whether or not I will like it. Make sense?

[sundevil777 102]

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Tandem or Solo? I really dont want to do the tandem. I wold rather just start the AFF.

Tons of threads about this already but if you want to do AFF then do AFF

Well, I live in Dallas, Tx and a lot of the schools here recommend a tandem first jump to see if you'll like the sport. I hate to sound like the eager youngster(because I'm not) but I believe I will love this sport. SO I dont want to waste money on a tandem, just to ride some dude's junk to the ground and satisfy their curiosity of whether or not I will like it. Make sense?

Yes, so they should have no problem in you going straight to AFF, especially if you study up before (such as the USPA SIM), and other trustworthy student resources available/linked from this site. Some dropzones even publish their student manual on their own site for you to study, which is particularly good because there are differences in some aspects of training from place to place. Show up early, be confident but not pushy, pay attention and be willing to learn.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Radioahole 0]

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Tandem or Solo? I really dont want to do the tandem. I wold rather just start the AFF.

Tons of threads about this already but if you want to do AFF then do AFF

Well, I live in Dallas, Tx and a lot of the schools here recommend a tandem first jump to see if you'll like the sport. I hate to sound like the eager youngster(because I'm not) but I believe I will love this sport. SO I dont want to waste money on a tandem, just to ride some dude's junk to the ground and satisfy their curiosity of whether or not I will like it. Make sense?

Yes, so they should have no problem in you going straight to AFF, especially if you study up before (such as the USPA SIM), and other trustworthy student resources available/linked from this site. Some dropzones even publish their student manual on their own site for you to study, which is particularly good because there are differences in some aspects of training from place to place. Show up early, be confident but not pushy, pay attention and be willing to learn.

Thanks for the intel/advice. Looks like I have a lot of reading/searching to do. Sounds like I'll do just fine. I'm always willing to learn, especially when it's something I'm interested in.

[RIGGER160 0]

From what I can see of it, it looks like it was removed from service because it met the 12 year life cycle the Military has for those canopies.


Or it hit the six year service limit in place for Yuma

[Radioahole 0]

RIGGER you're probably right. I'm pretty sure this is a Yuma chute.

Hate to sound like a cheap ass, but has anyone ever traded training for equipment. What if I take this to a local school and they could use another chute this size for the "heavy drops." Impossible? Improbable? What's the scoop?