An earlier thread gave me the idea to post some pictures of an extremely rare RZ36 parachute. This chute was unique in that it used a delta shaped canopy, a new style of quick release harness and used a vented tail allowing for a slight forward drive.
There is still a myth regarding the use of Russian parachutes during von der Heydte's illfated Operation Stosser during the Ardennes Offensive. This has proven to be incorrect and it was the RZ36 that was used. Von der Heydte in an interview after the war stated that Russian chutes were not used. A fellow collector received a RZ36 canopy from a US veteran who found it buried in the Ardennes.....the harness was not to be found.
The Fallschirm Prüfschein attached to this RZ36 chute indicates that the chute was inspected on 11 March 1944 and reinspected on 16 Feb 1945. It also indicates the chute was to be used at the height of 100 meters and at 250 kph.
Willi
There is still a myth regarding the use of Russian parachutes during von der Heydte's illfated Operation Stosser during the Ardennes Offensive. This has proven to be incorrect and it was the RZ36 that was used. Von der Heydte in an interview after the war stated that Russian chutes were not used. A fellow collector received a RZ36 canopy from a US veteran who found it buried in the Ardennes.....the harness was not to be found.
The Fallschirm Prüfschein attached to this RZ36 chute indicates that the chute was inspected on 11 March 1944 and reinspected on 16 Feb 1945. It also indicates the chute was to be used at the height of 100 meters and at 250 kph.
Willi
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