"Marin" Constant Duclos
FRANCE 1915 - 1916
In September 1915 the French were concerned at the losses of experienced aviators and observers in tethered balloons began investigating a means to save lives. They turned to the idea of the parachute.
Lieutenant Juchmès took the basic parachute and developed a protective semi-rigid parachute container that could be attached to the balloon rigging or basket. The weight of the descending aviator or aérostatier would pull the parachute from the "le pot des fleurs" and develop.
Successful tests using mannequins were conducted at Chalais-Meudron.
The safety of the apparatus then had to be demonstrated to troops who were to say the least cautious to its effectiveness. To overcome reluctance to using the life-saving equipment Marin Constant Duclos of the French Armed Forces performed 23 test and exhibition parachute drops without problems to publicise the system and convince doubters that the parachute was a practical solution in saving their lives.
photo via Baptiste Bourdés
L'adjutante Lallemand
FRANCE 10th July 1917
The Robert design parachute was adapted for use from aircraft and a series of live tests began on 10th July 1917 when L'adjutante Lallemand made a successful parachute jump from an aircraft. Several successful jumps did not convince the authorities. The arrival of the Americans in 1918 added another set of constraints to delay the introduction of parachutes to aviators. Although the design was recognised as simple and effective there was a desire for an automatic opening parachute before adoption into the air services of America and France.
Robert and Lallemand began adaptions of the design.
Less than a year after his first test jump, on 27th May 1918, L'adjutante Lallemand was killed during an unsuccessful descent.
photo via Baptiste Bourdés
