1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
Preservation Association International
Headquarters Company
AIRBORNE KITBAG
(from Carriage and Dropping of Paratroops and Equipment)
General
1. This special kitbag, developed for the purpose of dropping equipment with parachute troops, is of conventional shape but opens down one side as well as across the top, and is fitted with a resilient base to withstand landing shocks. The kitbag may be used in a variety of ways as described in this chapter, and may be loaded with any equipment as long as the maximum permissible weight is not exceeded and the kitbag remains approximately cylindrical.
Description
2. The kitbag is approximately cylindrical, measuring about 30 in. in length and 14| in. in diameter. In addition to being open at one end, it is open down one side, the whole aperture being fitted with eyeletted holes and laced with cord. The base of the kitbag is padded to a depth of four inches and embodies a slot which accommodates the parachutist's foot when the kitbag is carried strapped to the leg.
3. A pair of leather straps about 11 in. apart are sewn to the kitbag. The buckle of each strap is fixed to a small leather tab which in turn is fitted to a leather flap by a pin-and-cone release, permitting both length adjustment and quick-release action. The leather flap carries the cones of the releases and is sewn to the valise along one side only.
4. The pins of the pin-and-cone releases are connected by a length of cord, one end of which is extended and tied to a suspension D-ring at the top of the kitbag. A cone-release cover is provided in the form of a canvas flap, similar in shape and size to the leather flap referred to in para. 3. This is sewn to the kitbag along one side. The cone-release cover, when closed, is fastened to the leather flap by three press-studs. Two slits in the cone-release over are so positioned that each buckle, with about an inch f its leather tab, can be passed through the cover. On the out-ide of the cone-release cover is sewn another piece of canvas to arm a deep pocket which serves s the suspension line stowage
fig. 2).
5. The kitbag is strengthened at the top by canvas strips which secure a D-ring to either side of the top opening, as shown in fig. 2. When the kitbag is lacked, these D-rings are drawn together and secured with the loose end of the suspension line, which consists of a 20 ft. length if cord with a spliced loop at me end. The anti-sear sleeve, which consists of a canvas sleeve bout 6 in. long through which he suspension line passes, is on the suspension line, close to the point of attachment of the line on the D-rings (fig. 3).
6. A sleeve-type quick release, Part Number 478606, may be issued as part of the complete kitbag. This quick release, when closed, is a cylinder of about 3/4 in. diameter and 2 1/2 in. long, at each end of which a D-ring is attached by a swivel joint. One D-ring is attached to a webbing loop which secures the quick release to the parachute harness, the harness leg strap passing through the webbing sleeve. To the other D-ring is tied the suspension line of the kitbag. Should the parachutist wish to jettison the kitbag he takes the sleeve on the cylinder of the release in his right hand and pulls it upwards. This automatically releases the lower D-ring with its-attached load.
Methods of use
Kitbag carried on the chest(fig. 3 and 4)
7. Only kitbags loaded with items susceptible to damage are carried on the chest for descentand landing, as this method increases slightly the risk of injury to the parachutist. Ensure that the kitbag has been prepared as shown in fig. 3, the following main points being noted:—
(i) The pin-and-cone releases for the leather leg straps are in the "fast" position and that the release cord emerges from the end of the release-cone cover towards the base of the kitbag, the loose end being tied to a convenient point on the kitbag.
(ii) The suspension line is coiled round the kitbag as shown in fig. 3 and the loose end temporarily attached to the lower leg strap.
(iii) The leg straps pass through the canvas bridges; this shortens their effective length.
8. The method of attaching the kitbag is as follows. Lay the kitbag across the chest with the padded end on the parachutist's right-hand side. Unbuckle the leg straps, pass them round behind the two upper chest straps of the parachute harness and re-buckle tightly. UnÂfasten the looped end of the suspension line which is attached to the lower leg strap, pull it tight, and attach it to the parachute-harness lower right leg strap. (Tying the suspension line in this way removes any possibility of the kitbag striking the parachutist in the face, should he somersault.)
9. When jumping with the kitbag on his chest the parachutist can either land with it still in this position, or release it to the full extent of the suspension line as soon as the parachute canopy has developed; this is done by pulling the pin release cord with the right hand and paying out the suspension line through the anti-sear sleeve, controlled by the left hand.
Whether the kitbag is lowered on the suspension line or not, is determined by the store packed in it or by emergency.
Kitbag carried on the right leg (fig. 5)
10. Used in this way, the kit-bag does not require to have the suspension line coiled round it. Before attaching the kitbag to the leg ensure that the pin-and-cone releases are in the "fast" position with the pin release cord emerging from the top end of the cone-release cover. Place the kitbag against the right leg so that the right foot fits into the slot provided in the base. Pass the straps through the canvas
bridges and fasten them sufficiently tight to ensure that the kitbag does not slip downÂwards when the parachute canopy develops. Loop the end of the suspension line round the lower right leg strap of the parachute harness and slide the anti-sear sleeve close to the attachment of the suspension line to the D-rings. Fold the surplus line, tie with No. 8 thread, and place in the stowage on the cone-release cover. When jumping with a kitbag in this position, the right leg should be swung out of the aircraft parachute exit first and, to prevent somersaulting, the left leg brought up to it as soon as possible. As soon as the canopy has developed the parachutist should pull the pin-release cord with his right hand and allow the kitbag to descend to the full extent of the suspension line, controlling its rate of descent by the anti-sear sleeve held in the left hand.
Kitbag carried attached to both legs (for "sitting exit" only)
11. When making a "sitting exit" from an aircraft the kitbag may be attached to both legs. This method of attachment has little advantage over attachment to one leg except that the weight of the kitbag is borne by bothlegs instead of one when the canopy develops. When the kitbag is carried in this way, the leg straps do not pass through the bridges. The kitbag is placed on the right foot and the straps are passed round both legs and tightened. The loose end of the suspension line is attached to the lower right leg strap of the parachute harness in the same way as for single-leg attachment. Normal "sitting exit" jumping procedure is followed.
