EXCELSIOR III, KITTINGER'S JUMP, 16 AUGUST 1960 Reel 1 · Part 4

Description

Summary: Coverage of Excelsior III, in which Capt. Joseph Kittinger jumped from an altitude of 103,000 feet from a balloon gondola. 1) Prejump preparations including scenes of Capt. Kittinger prebreathing oxygen and putting on clothes and equipment. 2) Shows Capt. Kittinger being helped from van into gondola. 3) Scenes of Capt. Kittinger in full gear swinging from simulated parachute harness in hangar practicing seat pack release techniques. 4) Shows technicians working on gondola and fitting Capt. Kittinger with helmet and face mask. 891' Total footage in reel. Reel 2: 1) Series of scenes of M/Sgt. Post preparing for ascent -- shows sergeant prebreathing oxygen, putting on clothes and being helped into parachute gear. (Sgt. Post was backup man for Capt. Kittinger, but did not jump). 610' Total footage in reel. Reel 3: 1) Shows balloon starting ascent. 2) Technicians installing cameras and instruments in gondola. 3) Scenes of airmen laying out balloon on ground prior to inflation. 4) Shows Capt. Kittinger being helped into gondola, and balloon starting to rise. 5) Shows men around Capt. Kittinger on ground after jump and Kittinger walking to H-21 helicopter. 6) Scenes of medics helping Capt. Kittinger out of gear -- also shows his swollen hand and neck burns. 7) Scenes of Capt. Kittinger in van prebreathing oxygen; technicians rigging gondola to balloon; Kittinger inspecting gondola; technicians making adjustments to gondola instruments and recovery chute; and balloon being inflated and starting to rise. 679' Total footage in reel. Reel 4: Cloud cover as seen from gondola-mounted camera as Capt. Kittinger jumps. 137' Total footage in reel. Reel 5: Onboard gondola camera footage of gondola dials showing altitude, pressure, etc. as balloon ascends. (Very poor quality) 65' Total footage in reel. Reel 6: 1) Shows Capt. Kittinger in van prior to jump putting on clothes and equipment. 2) Scenes of Capt. Kittinger in gondola as it is hooked to balloon. 43' Total footage in reel. Poor

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities