8d1. Parachute Load Transfer Structure
Looking up the tail pipe.
The flame holder is visible way inside the pipe.
The pair of 6" diameter parachute cans can be seen on either side.
Contoured Parachute Can mounting saddles. Big stainless steel hose clamps will secure the 6" diameter tubes without having to use any protruding internal fasteners that could snag the fabric and prevent deployment. |
The parachute can saddles also allow us to remove the cans themselves for easier access to the special effect electrical control boxes and wiring harnesses for the fin strobe lights and sequential flashing LED's. |
| Top view of chassis shows special diagonal bracing to carry and transfer the parachute pop-out shock loads into the primary chassis structure. While the parachutes are stored in cans off to the side, they are anchored exactly on the centerline of the F-18, so that when deployed they will not pull the Jet Bike dangerously off to one side. |
