Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/05/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tangential topic. The 100,000 altitudes by balloon reminds me that this August will be the 50th anniversary of the (still-standing) record manned parachute jump from a balloon. As test subject of a USAF pre-astronaut program, (then) Capt Joe Kittinger jumped from a balloon gondola at 102,800 feet, free-falling for 4 1/2 minutes down to 17,500 feet before opening his main chute. His maximum speed during the descent in the thinner air was Mach 0.91, which I guess made him the world's fastest man without the benefit of a vehicle. This guy then did 3 tours in Vietnam, was shot down and spent 11 months in a POW camp. Col. Kittinger is still alive, living in Florida. Kyle should photograph him. -rei On 05/27/2010 12:19 PM, Bob Adler wrote: > For those of you who like to fiddle with your hardware: > http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/technology/personaltech/27basics.html?8dpc > > I thought it might be useful for folks to take bird feeder shots, etc. > Anyway, if I had the time it looks like fun. > Best, > Bob > Bob Adler > Palo Alto, CA > http://www.rgaphoto.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >