NB-8 parachute, please some basic infos?

[BlueBookGuy]

hello all,

 

could anyone have some basic data about the NB-8 parachute?, cannot get any really solid infos   -   such as when got introduced into service, whether only for the Navy aviators, whether the 'B-8' part indicates actually a true origin from the WW2 B-8 'chute of the USAAF, and so on.  Happened to see a specimen on the web showing a Navy contract of 1977 (N383 etc.... ) so, I wondered about a much more recent introduction date than what I figured out?  Or, the model is in fact a decidedly old one and the 1977 date simply does confirm it being a very good product and staying in production a long time?

 

Thanx!  Franco.

[BlueBookGuy]

hello again,

happened upon another specimen and this time I got it, price was affordable and the 'chute is in super condition   -   in fact, it seems to me being kind of new. Just a bit of discoloration on the outside of risers, and a modicum of oxydation on some of the hardware parts. Also, some blemishes on the written canvas rectangle sewn to the back cushion.

Dates are more interesting on this 'chute, harness itself as made by Switlik is 1958, while the NB-8 (by Pioneer Co.) backpack is illegible a for the mfg. date but sure cannot stay too far from there. Wondering about an interesting 'hybrid' of a Navy NB-8 'chute pack, here fitted to a typical USAF harness, I think it's the one technically referred to as ''P/N 50C7024-8''  -   even though in this instance, harness is marked ''P/N 50J6858''.

As long as I can have seen through the time a standard NB-8 should have the more typical Navy-style harness with the 'X'-type straps on the chest so, some unknown yet interesting reasons sure stay behind this particular parachute. Standard 28-feet dia. canopy is by Pioneer and perfectly packed inside the container; interestingly in my opinion, the two pair of risers come out quite farther from the standard spots (normally, exactly at pack's corners).

 

Some pics do follow.

[BlueBookGuy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[P-59A]

This is a link to a company that makes repop WW2 B-8 parachutes. They give a fair rundown of its history.

https://www.theriggerdepot.com/b-8-back-type.html