Odd structure near NAF El Centro

[Dick]

There is an odd-looking structure near NAF El Centro

(http://members.cox.net/rtbachman/mystery.htm)


that appears to be some sort of centrifuge. The PAO
says that it was somehow used to test parachutes.


Does anybody know how the testing was performed? It
is hard to believe that this thing just swung a loaded
parachute around in a circle. You could do the same
thing with a crane and a weight.

[[email protected]]

swing around in a circle makes it easier to photograph.

Steve Roberts

[Mike Beede]

In article . com>,
"Dick" > wrote:

> There is an odd-looking structure near NAF El Centro
>
> (http://members.cox.net/rtbachman/mystery.htm)
>
>
> that appears to be some sort of centrifuge. The PAO
> says that it was somehow used to test parachutes.

Dirigible mast?

Mike Beede

[Dave[_6_]]

Mike Beede > wrote in news:beede-29C6D6.20192228112006
@news.visi.com:

> In article . com>,
> "Dick" > wrote:
>
>> There is an odd-looking structure near NAF El Centro
>>
>> (http://members.cox.net/rtbachman/mystery.htm)
>>
>>
>> that appears to be some sort of centrifuge. The PAO
>> says that it was somehow used to test parachutes.
>
> Dirigible mast?
>
> Mike Beede

Not likely. The configuration looks all wrong for that, and it's also too
short to properly moor most of the LTA fleet.

Dave in San Diego
NAS Lakehurst, 1977 - 1980

[[email protected]]

Dave wrote:
> Mike Beede > wrote in news:beede-29C6D6.20192228112006
> @news.visi.com:
>
> > In article . com>,
> > "Dick" > wrote:
> >
> >> There is an odd-looking structure near NAF El Centro
> >>
> >> (http://members.cox.net/rtbachman/mystery.htm)
> >>
> >>
> >> that appears to be some sort of centrifuge. The PAO
> >> says that it was somehow used to test parachutes.
> >
> > Dirigible mast?
> >
> > Mike Beede
>
> Not likely. The configuration looks all wrong for that, and it's also too
> short to properly moor most of the LTA fleet.

Parachute idea reinforced:-

Google [parachute test tower]

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/6567/

http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/CA4911/