What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Parachute size

Shell Shifter

Well-Known Member
Hi. I have a 5" Mark 30 model 7 Illuminating Round that I am trying to restore. I see parachutes on ebay from "flares". These seem to be 36" in diameter. Does that sound about right for the payload of this shell?

Thanks.
 
Hey Shifter

Here are some pics of a flare I have. Not sure exactly what it's out of, but its 3" dia. may be close enough to the 5" innerds that the chute size is relevant to your restoration. As can be seen, the chute is 30".

IMG_1081 (800x600).jpgIMG_1082 (800x600).jpgIMG_1083 (800x600).jpgIMG_1087 (499x800).jpgIMG_1084 (800x724).jpgIMG_1086 (800x303).jpgIMG_1085 (800x455).jpg
 
Rick, That's a new candle for me. The size of the candle itself would seem to be for an 105 or 4.2, but the chute is undersized from what I have for that same round. The one I just measured for the 105/4.2 is 54" in dia and the one for the 81mm is 36" in dia.
Shellshifter: I've never ran across a chute for the 5" but the ones for the 155 are about 6'-8' in dia, and since the star for the 5" would be around twice the weight of the 105 you would need twice the surface area do get the same rate of descent. Since I was never good at algebra, I'm taking a SWAG that the 5" chute would be around 5' or a tad bit bigger in dia. Hope this helps. Cheers, Bruce.
 
Seems like the 3 ft. chute that I see on ebay would not be completely out of line for display purposes.

Thanks for the responses.
 
Top