The Caterpillar Club and the Gold Wings Club ET AL Lived saved by Parachute in Peace and War pre-1900 - Present

NOTES

The Caterpillar Club was established to recognise those lived saved by a parachute from the IRVIN AIR CHUTE Company.
Later as more companies (list in preparation) produced parachutes they began their own Roster of Lives Saved. These also became generically became known as Caterpillars.
To differentiate lives saved by their company designs G.Q. Parachutes began the Gold Wings Club. Today "purists" will acknowledge that the "true Caterpillar members" used Irving Parachutes.

Note that ALL ejection seat users who survived became members of one or other of the Parachute Clubs.

Parachutists who were force to bail out due to collision with barrage balloon wires could join the Wireworm Club

Parachutists who landed in water and were rescued were eligible for the Goldfish Club

Australian parachutists could claim membership of the ROO Club

Some entries are not included in official Club lists - the descent circumstances were difficult to verify and so not included

Notes

First parachute jump
22nd October 1793  André-Jacques Garnerin dropped from about 6,500 ft over Monceau Park in Paris in a 23-foot-diameter parachute made of white canvas with a basket attached

26th September 1876 - First Belgian Parachute jump