377 22 #1 February 14, 2008 Loved this plane when it was at WFFC 2005. Fastest climbing DC3 I have ever been in. Where is it now? Is it active? I have heard it has a long history in skydiving.2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #2 February 14, 2008 There was an update in an older thread about this one. May have to go back a few pages to find it. Last I heard it needed repairs for hail damage or something. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,317 #3 February 14, 2008 I was on the sunset load that year. Second one out. Awesome layer below us to punch thru. Landed waaaaay off the DZ.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 22 #4 February 14, 2008 Yeah, the guys up front didnt seem to know how to use their GPS to get good spots. I once landed sooo far from the DZ that the ride I hitched back seemed to drive for ten minutes before we got to the airport. It got so bad that Dean, the air boss, came aboard on the next load and rode up front as a third pilot to show the guys how to do it. That spot was PERFECT. Still amazed at how fast a DC 3 full of jumpers could get to 15K. Most DC3s climb really slowly once they get into double digit altitudes. Must have been those uprated engines, the kind of Wright 1820s that are used in the Grumman Albatross.2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drjump 0 #5 February 16, 2008 Patrick Terry, Cleburn, TX.-817-240-4314 is the owner of the Southern Cross. He told me that she should be back in the sky this spring (2008). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikecm469 1 #6 March 2, 2008 I was on that same load @ the convention. Loved the ride but hated the take-off. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 22 #7 March 3, 2008 there was one WFFC takeoff where they apparently forgot to lock the tailwheel... drifted off the runway edge, looked like it clipped a few lights and thankfully got airborne. Anyone else remember that one?2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikecm469 1 #8 March 26, 2008 That would be the take off that I hated. I don't think i've ever tightened down my seatbelt as tight as I did then. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 22 #9 March 27, 2008 I am not a pilot, but I thought we came pretty close to a bad outcome on that one. It felt like the plane was almost out of control directionally. Maybe it wasn't really as bad as we thought in back. Perhaps a DC 3 driver can tell us how dangerous an unlocked tail wheel takeoff really is. I am pretty sure we took out some lights before getting airborne. I think those folks on Fat Annie's first WFFC flight came closer to meeting God than we did. The guys on the air boss platform told me that the Carvair cleared the trees by no more than ten feet and probably less. Hot air temp can be a real bitch when you at max gross. Less lift and less engine power.2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #10 March 28, 2008 QuoteI am not a pilot, but I thought we came pretty close to a bad outcome on that one. It felt like the plane was almost out of control directionally. Maybe it wasn't really as bad as we thought in back. Perhaps a DC 3 driver can tell us how dangerous an unlocked tail wheel takeoff really is. I am pretty sure we took out some lights before getting airborne. I think those folks on Fat Annie's first WFFC flight came closer to meeting God than we did. The guys on the air boss platform told me that the Carvair cleared the trees by no more than ten feet and probably less. Hot air temp can be a real bitch when you at max gross. Less lift and less engine power. Wasnt just Phat Annies first load that was scary, the one i was on, we lost the plexy glass bubble about 400 feet into the rollout. Hear a bang!, then smack and saw sumething tumbling down the runway as we tried to lift. Got to 250', then down to 200' and was there for about 5 minutes. Im near the door, told myself if we drop below 200 Im out of here!. Ive thrown dummies out at 130 knots and 50's was enough for the reserve, I would have taken the chance. Not going down with 80 people in that bird. But thats just me. Im sure that would have created other issues but I was ready. If my memory is correct Southern Cross is the first DC3 and oldest for Skydiving use. Rick from Sun Path has some great stories, he was the mechanic for many years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikecm469 1 #11 April 1, 2008 I was sitting not far from the door and I know when the take off went to hell I could see runway, warning track(?), grass, and then the corn. From what I was told, the plane took out more than a few lights also. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 22 #12 April 1, 2008 Jump below 200 feet without a static line and live? I never thought it was possible until reading the above post.2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #13 April 1, 2008 Quote Jump below 200 feet without a static line and live? I never thought it was possible until reading the above post. Well we tossed the dummy at 130knots and it was open before it was verticle. Again, I did say I would take the chance, hope i never have to try it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #14 April 1, 2008 Quote Quote Jump below 200 feet without a static line and live? I never thought it was possible until reading the above post. Well we tossed the dummy at 130knots and it was open before it was verticle. Again, I did say I would take the chance, hope i never have to try it. Me either. But if I had to, I would pray that all I get is a shit-stained jumpsuit! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upndownshop 0 #15 April 1, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Jump below 200 feet without a static line and live? I never thought it was possible until reading the above post. Well we tossed the dummy at 130knots and it was open before it was verticle. Again, I did say I would take the chance, hope i never have to try it. Me either. But if I had to, I would pray that all I get is a shit-stained jumpsuit! Yeah and from what I hear you seem to be hard on them anyway, you probably just order a new one quarterly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #16 April 1, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Quote Jump below 200 feet without a static line and live? I never thought it was possible until reading the above post. Well we tossed the dummy at 130knots and it was open before it was verticle. Again, I did say I would take the chance, hope i never have to try it. Me either. But if I had to, I would pray that all I get is a shit-stained jumpsuit! Yeah and from what I hear you seem to be hard on them anyway, you probably just order a new one quarterly? Har har har.... First new jumpsuit in ten years and I go rip a couple holes in it on the first jump in it. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
