British Type X MkII Troop Parachute – Matching Harness and Outer Pack

Original WWII British Type X MkII Troop Parachute, with matching harness and outer pack. The British Type X troop parachute was a highly successful design developed through the cooperation of two competing manufacturers, GQ and Irvin Air Chutes. Adopted in late 1940, it remained in service throughout the Second World War with several modifications. Unlike its American counterparts, the Type X did not use a reserve parachute, instead incorporating an internal deployment bag. The MkII (Stores Reference 15A/503), introduced in 1944, featured an improved outer pack and deployment bag. The static line was now stowed internally and rigidly secured to prevent it from whipping about in the slipstream, while the deployment bag itself incorporated a more sophisticated internal design. The MkII saw operational use during the Normandy landings and at Arnhem. This example is particularly desirable as the harness and outer pack are matching, both numbered “37530”, something rarely encountered today. The harness retains its original manufacturer’s label on the shoulder and is fitted with the fully circular quick-release box, numbered “0378420”. On the MkII Type X, this quick-release box disengages all four lugs simultaneously and is fitted with its own adjustable retaining strap. The outer pack tray is in good condition and remains complete with all retaining straps, each fitted with Lift-the-Dot fasteners. The MkII inner pack (Stores Reference 15A/509) is dated 1943 and is also in good condition, retaining all of its original press studs. The static line has been added at a later date. (The inner pack remained in the aircraft during deployment). The canopy is complete with almost all of its original suspension lines, with one line having been replaced. It remains in good overall condition, although there is a 75 cm cut adjacent to Panel 1. The canopy was fitted to this Type X assembly at a later stage and subsequently re-attached to the harness. No manufacturer’s label has been found on the canopy.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire an original British WWII Airborne Type X parachute.