The X-Type Parachute

Written By: Don Thomas, 1 Can Para Sgt. PJI (ret.) The British X-Type Parachute, the official service terminology, was developed from the initiative of a man named Raymond Quilter of the GQ company who since 1934 had been manufacturing parachutes. The Type X Equipment became the standard chute for the British Army during the Second World War. It had a far greater degree of success than any other chute used by the allied or axis airborne formations. The main components of the parachute are as follows: A. Canopy - Measured 281" in diameter. It was made alternatively of silk, cotton (ramex), and nylon, in that order. During the course of the war, there were twenty- eight rigging lines, each 25' (7.6m) long with a minimum breaking strength of 400lbs (181 kg) running from the edge of the canopy to four D rings attached to four web risers or lift webs. Descent speed was around 7m/s. B. Inner bag - (Deployment bag) - When packed enclosed the folded canopy and a large flap was used to stow the rigging lines. The static line was attached to the inner bag and when the parachutists jumped from the aircraft, the bag was left dangling from the end of the static line. C. Outer pack - Resembled a canvas envelope, the four flaps were secured around the inner bag, folded canopy and rigging lines by a string closing the four flaps. The outer pack stayed with the harness. D. Harness - A seat strap formed by the main suspension straps passed in one continuous line from one set of rigging lines and up the other set of lines. Shoulder, back, chest, and leg straps held the jumper in his seat strap. The man was locked in position by a circular metal box device. Four lift webs connected to the rigging lines formed part of the harness and some measure of flight control was achieved by reaching up and manipulating these webbing straps during the descent. -- Click on photos for large size versions. -- Method of carrying the Sten. Method of carrying the folding bicycle. Method of carrying the PIAT. When the parachutist jumped from the aircraft, the inner bag, in which was stowed the canopy and rigging lines, was broken away from his back by a series of progressively stronger ties. As he continued to fall, the rigging lines were dragged from the large flap on the inner bag, so that when the canopy emerged the man was already at the end of the extended rigging lines. A final tie to the apex of the canopy then broke and the man continued down under his developed canopy. Thus the opening shock was reduced by four fifths and the danger of entanglement was greatly reduced in the first second or two after jumping when somersaulting was most likely. Another advantage of the X-Type was the comfortable webbing harness and it's single, quick release fastening over the stomach. The X-Type chute stayed in service with the British Army with little modification until the 1960's when the PX Type was introduced with a larger canopy, but was in all aspects an X-Type. 3rd Brigade members wearing a reproduction X-type chute at Memorial Day 2001 living history displays. As most of the Canadians were trained on the American system both in Fort Benning and Shilo, they used the T-5 chute and had to be trained on the British chutes and techniques. The T-5 chute worked in reverse of the X-Type by the fact that the canopy was deployed first and the jumper fell to the end of the rigging lines giving a harder opening shock. The American system also employed a reserve chute whereas the British did not.