New Ghetto Smoke Bracket

[Skwrl 56]

Hey all,

A few weeks ago, I posted about my experience with a commercially bought smoke bracket that unfortunately came off my foot at deployment. Since I'm a complete attention whore, I wanted to jump smoke again, but I didn't want to buy another one...

So after tossing back a bunch of beers with my dad (in other words, a typical Sunday morning), he came up with a new smoke bracket that costs under $7 in parts (plus a sneaker).

I thought you guys might want to see it.

To make one, you'll need a slip-on sneaker that you don't mind sacrificing. I used an old Puma with a thick heel (probably a wise idea to have a thick heel, for reasons that will become clear).

Basically, I bought an "L" bracket, which I bolted to the bottom of the shoe (you want to bolt it in, rather than screw it, because the shear forces on the bracket and smoke canister could pull it loose). A 2" rubber pipe connector and metal bands holds the smoke canister in place.

You'll want to put the bracket far back on the foot - by the heel - so it doesn't conflict with the bootie on your wingsuit.

The "cutaway" is accomplished by kicking off the shoe - incredibly easy for the particular shoe I used.

Pics are here:
Skwrl shoe

I've used it four times, and Joner has used it once. It worked really well, and I got some good shots of Joe flying it.

Skwrl Productions - Wingsuit Photography

Northeast Bird School - Chief Logistics Guy and Video Dork

[The111 1]

Best smoke bracket I've ever seen. 100% serious. Simplest is always best.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Bill_K 0]

So in flight the smoke is coming up perpendicular to your direction of flight, but if the long side of L bracket had a 45+ degree angle back the smoke would come off the bottom of your foot and thus be more parallel to and with the direction of flight. Seems like that would keep the smoke from getting up in the WS burble as much? I don't have a way to draw that. Just thinking...

I think it looks awesome, very simple and a great idea.

[jakee 1,498]

Quote

Simplest is always best.

I used a smoke bracket which was a stick gaffa taped to my shoe... is that even better?

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[monkycndo 0]

I am a firm believer in the KISS type of design. I do like the looks of it. Have you tried kicking the shoe off with the WS fully zipped on. Just wondering if the shoe can slip off with the booty over the toe of the shoe.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[Skwrl 56]

BillK

It actually comes out parallel to the line of flight if your toes are pointing earthward. If your toes are pointed for full flight, it comes out at roughly a 45 degree angle.

Monkeycondo

It kicks off really easily with the wingsuit on. That's why I chose that particular sneaker.

Skwrl Productions - Wingsuit Photography

Northeast Bird School - Chief Logistics Guy and Video Dork

[Bill_K 0]

Ah, I see what you mean. Very cool! Great job!