among the canopies found and reported to the FBI, was a 24 foot canopy was found in Portland in 1976

Dismissed because not 28 foot.

this is one reason why it's important to understand the canopies.

Interesting Snow.

Wouldnt that be something if a Cooper canopy had been found but incorrectly disregarded due to Cossey's incompetence, negligence or malfeasance?

A 24 ft canopy would not likely be used an emergency main, especially in an NB 6 or NB 8 rig. Too small a pack volume for those containers and a high descent rate, especially with a heavier jumper.

24 ft ripstop military canopies were, however, widely used as skydiving reserve canopies. They were small, dirt cheap and skydivers were willing to accept a high descent rate in return for lower jump weight and small reserve pack volume. High pack volume in a chest reserve made it harder to go forward towards a formation, the big chest reserve acting as an air brake. 

24 ft twill canopies were widely used as dummy reserves for training as they were essentially worthless.

377

One reason I'm not that impressed with "parachute found" is that the NB6 didn't have any quick release for the canopy, right?

so if Cooper canopy was found, it would likely still be attached to the NB6 right?

and no reports of a back rig found.

Does the serial number act like a VIN number telling what type of container it is?

Does the serial number act like a VIN number telling what type of container it is?

Not sure about this Shutter. I think the answer is no, but I am not 100% certain.

What complicates it is that many different manufacturers made NB 6 and NB 8 rigs for the military. SNs might have been duplicated in production runs by different mfrs.

377

If the diameter was close and had no container it's worth a second look. if it had a container the serial number would be on it..

If they are not the same as the container we can't verify a chute with no container. The Amboy chute appears to have the markings of a cargo chute as Cossey suggested..