Seeking a Large White Parachute

[huggima]

Hey folks,
Our camp is on the hunt to find a white parachute at least 50 feet in diameter, as we're needing one to cover our 39 foot stage dome next year. Since we do projections and hang artwork on the inside, white is the only color we can use. we've been looking online at military surplus stores, but to no avail. So if anyone has one and would like to sell it, we'll be the first online to buy it off of you. Thanks!

[JDCookMS]

I don't know of any pure white ones, but there's this one, it's mainly white with a little orange and is 50'. http://go-armynavy.com/index.php/parachutes/u.s.-military-50.6-parachute.html

[huggima]

Thanks. I've seen one of those before, actually it has just as much orange as it has white. I think it alternates orange with white stripes from top to bottom. So it's a backup plan, but we're still shooting for the all white kind. I appreciate it!

[Undecided]

Have you considered using that white stretch fabric between each triangle of the dome?

[huggima]

No, I'm not familiar with that. Would that mean attaching a triangle to each piece in the dome?

[Undecided]

Do a google image search for stretch fabric. You would have to do each individual one, but it could result in a very cool look too.

[Undecided]

Not sure if that is what you are looking for, but it could be a more low cost approach and you would still be able to project on the walls.

[delle]

Poo.

My father had one when we kids were small.

I think he got rid of it tho after I was found trying to heave it up a ladder to the roof on a dare from my evil sumbitch never-did-like-me-much older brother.

So sadly today - over 40 years later - I find that my renowned naivité has just cost us a a most rocking BM accoutrement.

I'm SO sorry and ashamed!

[theCryptofishist]

Are you sure you want a parachute. They are designed to catch wind...

[Bob]

Largest all-white ones I've seen are about 25 ft dia. Think they're often a flattish rather than regular spheroid, so a smaller chute might conform to the top of a larger-diameter dome. With the dust, a white chute is going to turn khaki anyway. Could stretch random light-colored spandex over the top, or between vertices on the interior for projection surfaces.

[mazatta]

I've seen tons of pictures on here of parachute covered comes that were completely shredded within 24 hours due to wind. I can't remember if cutting holes to allow the wind to pass through was enough to prevent/delay wind damage.

Consider instead making a covering out of Tyvek house wrap. It was extremely labour-intensive, but the dome covering my friend made last year was kick ass. It stayed cool during the day and no issues when the wind picked up. You cut triangles out of the Tyvek and tape them together with Tyvek tape. It was secured to the dome by bungee cords attached to grommets that were placed around the bottom of the base of the covering. If you go this route, it will be a lot of work, but I couldn't recommend it enough for how well it turned out.

Tyvek is also white, which covers your projections requirement nicely.

[Herring]

Even if your parachute doesn't destroy itself and everything it's attached to when it gets picked up by the wind (it will, even with slits or holes) it won't ever drape flat enough or still enough for projected art. For your sanity and safety use the alternatives suggested.

[Bob]

Depends what visual effects are desired. I'd imagine it's for mood lighting, not to show Powerpoint slides.

Tyvek can be as noisy in the wind as cheap blue tarps.

[BlackRockCityPimp]

The biggest white chute I have ever seen was 30ft. and used by the Chinese Air Force. Surplus places sell them for just under 100 bucks. If you cant use those and need full coverage yer gona have to make something. Cant recall the name of the camp but there was a camp that had panels and projected on panels.

[huggima]

I appreciate all the responses. Last year we borrowed the Hookahdome's 100 foot white parachute to cover the 39 foot dome, and it worked like a charm. Unfortunately they don't want to part with it, so we're at square one looking for an alternative. Unless we got several smaller white 'chutes and attached them together before hoisting the whole thing on top of the dome, not sure if they would work or not, depending on the curvature of everything.

[Zolita]

There are about 6 parachutes available that are 30' and WHITE at the Kaplans Army Surplus store on Market. $119.xx / cash / tax included. Just bought one about an hour ago. Kathy helped me. She's super nice. They won't last. They also have several types / sizes of camo too. Here's the info:

1055 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-3486