I've just been given a Parachute, what can I use it for?

[Treeclipper]

Hi folks,

My Uncle has just given me a parachute he had stashed in his attic & says he has no use for anymore.
It's olive green, circular, has mesh panels around edge & seems to be made out of ripstop nylon, all paracord has been removed & no parts seem to have been cut out. It's raining here so haven't had the chance to open it out or take piccies.

As the title of thread suggest, what can I use it for? Is it Possible to make a tent out of it or can it just be used for making group shelters? Or are their other use's for the material?

Any advice appreciated.

Tree

 

[xylaria]

you can make a bender out of it.

here is the us army teepee
http://www.aircav.com/survival/asch05/asch05p03.html

 

[hiraeth]

An ex para mate of mine used to make hammocks from them, good they were too.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

They are great for kiddies party's,

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/parachute.html

Some storage info at this site

http://www.funandgames.org/parachute_games.html

 

[ANDYRAF]

They do make good hammocks and also an excellent windproof smock because of the closeness of the weave. I have no idea where you can get a pattern, you could make something similar to a Buffalo shirt.

 

[MikeE]

Loads of uses, (especially if you can use a sewing machine!): zoot suit; folded from point into wedge tent; group shelter (a la Woodlore!); family tent; hammocks as mentioned before; if I can think of any more I'll let you know!

 

[Wayland]

Group shelter for meet ups.

 

[Toddy]

I helped some friends put one up on Friday to make a covered working space for a basketmaker
If you use three poles you can make them into a frame to hold a hanging firebowl as well as keeping the roof up

cheers,
Toddy

 

[big_swede]

skydiving?

 

[Matt Weir]

skydiving?

I was wondering when that answer would crop up

 

[PJMCBear]

Underwear? Well, that's what they made them out of during the war. Not sure about the colour though.

 

[Treeclipper]

I'm not wearing ripstop nylon underwear no matter what the colour .

I wouldn't mind making a sort of tipi for the family though, if thats possible, I have an old dome tent I could use for donor bits as well.

Does anyone know where I could get a pattern from. I've got my own sewing machine & am not to bad with that.

Tree

 

[Matt Weir]

Does anyone know where I could get a pattern from. I've got my own sewing machine & am not to bad with that.

Tree

Try PM'ing Andywinkk and firebreather as Andy has taken measurements from firebreathers lavvu and built his own.

 

[Treeclipper]

Thanks Matt,

I'll give Andywinkk a pm.

Tree

 

[Mesquite]

Underwear? Well, that's what they made them out of during the war. Not sure about the colour though.

I think you'll find that during the war the parachutes were made out of silk which were ideal for underwear so I don't blame Treeclipper for declining that suggestion You'll also find that a lot of the wedding dresses of brides were made out of parachutes as well during the war. It was a big black market thing and people used to fight over the parachutes of downed German.

 

[nicodiemus]

When i was in the himalayas, the communal basecamp tent was a silk 'chute with bamboo and reed woven walls. I wish i had better pictures of it to up!

Here is a pic of the chair shelter thingie, not anything as big as the main communal tent..

Here is a pic of the tent the wife and i stayed in for the duration. Not quite the same construction, but they made the roof tarp from the same stuff.

 

[firebreather]

Try PM'ing Andywinkk and firebreather as Andy has taken measurements from firebreathers lavvu and built his own.

No he didnt ........it was not mine.......nobody saw us do it............looks around for the legal eagles.............

Greg