The Red Devils Freefall Team were asked to submit a challenge for the TV programme called You Bet, hosted by Mathew Kelly. The team presented the following challenge: five skydivers jump separately from an aircraft flying at 8,000ft; they then build a five man formation (A Star); they then breakaway to deploy their parachute and build a five man canopy formation (A Stack); they then separate and land individually on the back of a moving lorry traveling at 25mph.
The freefall formation and the canopy stack were, as the team expected, successful. However, the challenge of landing on the back of a moving lorry was something the team had not done before and TV viewers were kept in suspense as each skydiver attempted this new challenge. The first four landed successfully in the middle of the lorry but the forth landed on the tail end. Just as his feet touched down his canopy dragged him off the lorry, before he could cut it away. It was deemed a failure because the last man failed to remain on board. The audience loved it and the producers were overjoyed at the last second, decisive moment.
Skydiving Stunts:
Allan Hewitt - Joe Willoughby - Mac Mclennan - Steve Jelf and .........
Filmed by: Ian Barraclough
Philip Scofield did a Tandem Skydive as part of his TV show for children. After his skydive was shown, his co-star, Gordon the Gofer, surprised him by showing a video of his skydive.
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You Bet - Gordon the Gofer - Band of Brothers - True Hero's - The Avengers
If you're a qualified or experienced skydiver, who can be available for TV or film work at short notice, then please register your interest.
Filmed by: Ian Barraclough
Sky Science was contracted to build and supply the parachute equipment used by the airborne forces in the film The Band of Brothers. The equipment was built to replicate the the original parachute systems used during the war, but designed and manufactured by Allan Hewitt to meet the strict, up to date safety regulations.
When the tandem instructor deployed his drogue parachute, it wrapped around his neck before inflating. This resulted in the tandem pair spinning violently out of control as the tandem instructor started to lose conscienceness, due to the strangling effect of the drogue bridle line around his neck.
Ronnie's first attempt to stop the spinning and deploy the parachute failed when he got kicked in the head and knocked away from the spinning pair. Ronnie succeeded in stopping the spin and deployed the reserve parachute which saved their lives. Ronnie then deployed his own parachute just in time to save his own life.
For his actions and bravery Ronnie received a medal from the queen and was rightly classed as a hero.
Recreating this event was probably one of the most riskiest skydiving stunts that we've been involved with. We recreated the violent spinning effect of the tandem pair for real, and simulated the strangling effect with excellent results.
Skydiving Co-ordinator: Allan Hewitt
Director: Crispin Reece
Producer: Bernadette Ross
Skydiving Stunts: Ralph Mitchell - Alberto Arcos - Adolfo Kurn
Cameraman: Tim Porter
Equipment: Sky Science manufactured the jumpsuits and modified the parachute equipment to achieve the results required
"Safe, reliable professionals with total commitment and a fine eye for detail"
Simon
Crane
Stunt Co-ordinator
Sky Science designed and built stunt harnesses that had to be hidden underneath tight fitting lycra clothing. The full body harness had to be made without hardware which meant each one had to be customised to perfectly fit the individual actresses and stunt doubles.
Safety Harnesses Designed and Built By: Sky Science
Directed By: Jeremiah Schechik
Second Unit Directed By: Vic Armstrong
Staring: Ralph Fiennes, Uma Thurman, Sean Connery, Jim Broadbent and Eddie Izzard
