GAMBLE ON A JUMP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22164, 18 January 1934, Page 16

GAMBLE ON A JUMP

DROP OF TWENTY-FIVE MILES PRACHUTIST’S DARING PLAN. “ I want to bo the first man to drop from the .stratosphere; I want to gamble my life on a jump from a height of 25 miles.”, : Ip! these words John Tran urn; the famous" parachutist, lately outlined to the Sunday Chronicle the most daring aeronautical fetit that has ever becii planned,' " ' .Subsequently Mr Traiunu. made to Mr M;. E; Ridge, the yoUng .American who hopes to ascend by' balloon to a height. Of 25 niiles, the offer that a parachute descent should be made from the balloon —an endeavour Svhieh would double the scientific value of the attempt. Mr Tranum offers to make the drop. The man who has survived more than 2doO parachute jumps’ wants to attempt a feat from which experts say he will only have; a - fifty-fifty chance of emerging alive.. But. Mr .\Traimm doesn't agree with them. He says he believes he will come safely " through the terribio ordeal .if he ■is • equipped with the proper clothing ; and brbaVhing apparatus. ■ ' Considerable interest in scientific circles in Europe and America has. followed the announcement by Mr Ridge that he is to attempt to ascend 25 miles into the stratosphere—-more than twice the height of the existing record. Plans have already been made for the balloon ascent which is supported by such distinguished men as Professor J. H. S. Haldane, the foremost authority on respiration, and Sir Robert Davis, the inventor of diving suits and scientific apparatus. .Both, these men say they believe that it is possible to .ascend in a balloon with an open car to a height of 25 miles. But on the possibility of surviving a parachute , jump from that height Mr Tranum relies on his own judgment alone.

“If I were not convinced that it could bo done I , would not suggest it for a minute.’’ Mr Trarium savs.

“All the experience I have gained in my ,2000 parachute drops convinces me that this colossal drop is humanly possible.

“Of course, I shall need to bo equipped with a diving suit similar tc that the balloonist will wear. I shall need heated clothing and oxygen apparatus; with these aids I think I can survive. If Mr Ridge accepts my ollei: I shall ask to be strapped to the outside of the balloon car in such a way that I can readily release myself at the opportune moment.

“I have already been up to a height of over four miles and my record delayed drop was made from a height of three and a-ha!f miles.”