Back to meet the team

What is Pathfinder

 

 

    As Jump and Operations Coordinator for the Pathfinder Parachute Group Roy welcomes those interested in the adventure of Military Parachuting to join him and his club members as they Parachute around the world. Without a weapons container jumping Military style becomes exhilarating and enjoyable without the hard work that is usually associated with it.

 

Why round Parachutes?

    Roy formed Pathfinder to enable former Paratroopers to be able to jump the way they were taught. Military exit, feet first and using round military canopies. At that time the sport parachute stable spread exit was all that was being taught and that didn't appeal to a Paratrooper who just wanted to parachute and had no intentions of 'Progressing' onto free fall. The sport parachuting system didn't really allow for them so Roy had to rethink the sport and look around to see who would let him jump his way.

 

Why earn foreign Parachute wings?

    Anyone can do a parachute course.Its not that hard.You can even do a Tandem jump with someone else doing all the hard work. Going to a foreign country, using their training, their equipment and being presented with a Para brevet and certificate after successfully completing the course makes it that bit more special.Its a complete experience.  With Ron Ball and Ian Marshall's help Pathfinder attended foreign Para courses and earned the host countries wings by carrying out the required number of jumps on their course necessary to earn there wings ligitamatly.Many countries strapped for cash welcomed retired Paratroopers onto their courses. For a fee they would train Roy and his members with their chutes,their aircraft and their way and at the end of the course present the wings.His members felt they were earning the wings the hard way and had a sense of achievement. At the same time they had visited another country and met their Paratroopers. They found out that they had so much in common and that the Airborne Brotherhood does exist.

 

The Airborne Brotherhood.

    Roy and Pathfinder made many friends and more contacts and soon an impressive array of wings had been built up within the club.The club was expanding at an alarming rate as more jumpers from more countries joined their ranks. Pathfinder had made military parachuting into an enjoyable sport.They also found other groups of foreign Paratroopers who were doing the same or similar courses as themselves and swapped ideas.

 

Why WW2 uniforms?

    The WW2 Anniversary drops came along quite by chance and Pathfinder expanded their skills by jumping onto war time DZ, many having not been jumped by a round canopy since 1944 and at the request of the veterans. Pathfinder wanted to paint the full picture and not only jump onto the hallowed ground of the original DZ but they wanted to remind the general public what it would have looked like in 1944. They wanted to do justice to the veterans and remind people of the sacrifices made by the original wartime Paratroopers. A square canopy jumper in a brightly coloured jumpsuit is a very skilled parachutist but jumping onto a wartime DZ would just not do justice to the occasion.

 

Who can join Pathfinder?

    Pathfinder opened its doors wider to include non Airborne soldiers who wanted to get the opportunity to experience the end product of Para training. Most would honestly tell you that had they tried they could not have passed P company but they always wanted to experience the buzz of the Parachute descent. They had a respect for the Para's that only other soldiers and fellow Parachutist fully understand. They would be the first to tell you humbly that they were only 'Military Parachutist' and not Paratroopers. Being trained as a military parachutist is much harder than ordinary sport parachuting but Pathfinder members dont see it that way and just take it in their stride. They would also be the first to tell you that the Parachute is only a means of transport to get the Paratrooper from the aircraft to the ground.Its the type of soldier the P Company training produces that makes the Airborne soldier who he is. The parachuting is just a small part of that training. Civilians are welcome into the ranks of Pathfinder but they must have the right frame of mind and a sense of humour. None of the non Airborne trained members of Pathfinder will ever tell you he is a Paratrooper if he isn't. Pathfinder members know that attending a foreign Para course does not make them Paratroopers but it does give them an insight into the Airborne world and a better understanding of what makes are Paratrooper tick. In recent times women have joined Pathfinder. Round Parachutes make for a harder landing and so Pathfinders women Parachutist are a pretty tough breed. Or maybe the male jumpers are getting soft in their old age. Pathfinder has given hundreds of Military reenactors the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is and not just wear an Airborne uniform on a static display but to actually experience the thrill of the jump. As one of the reenactors said recently. Veterans used to look at them with a tinge of disappointment when they explained they were only wearing the Para wings as part of the Airborne presentation and that they hadn't jumped to earn them. Now he had completed a parachute course with Pathfinder he could talk to the veterans with a new understanding of what they had gone through and there was now a mutual respect. At least our reenactors had gone the extra nine yards. Pathfinders members come from all walks of life. All have the same mind set and the desire to throw their bodies out of an aircraft into space and trust their lives to a piece of ripstop nylon and some para cord. You need to experience it to understand it and Pathfinder gives you that opportunity.

 

 

 

Roy Mobsby

 

    Started life as an army cadet in the Royal Sussex Regiment and when he was old enough in 1968 joined the local Territorial Army Royal Artillery unit 200 Medium Battery, 100 Medium Regiment, Royal Regiment of Artillery(V) Looking for something a bit more challenging he transferred to 2 Company(Patrols) 10 Para(V) at East Croydon

 

1971 He joined 1 Para serving on active duty in Northern Ireland and Cyprus.In this time he qualified as a Heavy Drop Rigger.He also became a competent Sub Aqua diver.

 

1974. He transferred to 381 (Arnhem) troop, 47 Air Despatch Sqn RCT.In his time there he reached the dizzy heights of Cpl crew commander and had qualified on all his driving licences up HGV2, was a rigger,Rig Checker,Rig Installation checker. Helicopter handling Instructor.He was attached to D Sqn SAS during 1974 and served an operational tour in the Oman during our 'Secret war' out here. He earned a couple of red endorsements in his Air Despatchers log book for carrying out Propaganda leaflets drops over the Yeman border. .Having been conned into going on a Free fall course at Netheravon by his then Troop commander Lt Arthur Gibson he took to the sport and managed to find time to join the Corp Free fall team,The Silver Stars' and earn both his German and American basic wings.He also attempted and failed miserably the SAS selection course.

 

1980. Posted to 1 Armoured Division Field Ambulance in Hohne Germany.He became a section commander of a 432 Armoured Personal Carrier section,qualified as a Driver Maintenance Instructor,a 432 APC driving instructor and in his spare time joined the local Dutch Free fall club and earned his Dutch Military B wings. At the same time he attended the advanced free fall course run by JSPC Bad Lippspringer and continued to jump there regularly.

 

1983. Posted to 8 Sqn 27 Logistic Support Regt RCT in Aldershot. Completed a tour in Cyprus with the UN Transport Sqn where he continued Parachuting at JSPC Cyprus and Kingsfield DZ.

He qualified as a motorcyclist and an HGV1 driver and Instructor.1985 He went for Commando training at CTC Lymston and passed, earning his Commando Dagger and Green Beret with every intentions of serving with the Commando Log Regiment. However at this time The Para log battalion was being reformed and he was posted as Admin Sgt Support troop 63 Para Sqn RCT.

 

1986 Whilst on a Parachute Display for the Corp team he had an unfortunate meeting with a brick wall which broke a lot of things and successfully screwed up his army career.In answer to his question "Will I parachute again?" the surgeon had said he would be lucky if he could walk properly.  Given the choice of getting out of the army or going as an Instructor to the Territorial Army he choice the latter.

 

1986 poster to 155 Wessex Transport Regiment RCT(V) at Southampton he started on the long road to fitness and took up flying microlight aircraft.

 

1993 his unit was disbanded as part of the MOD cutbacks and he finished his last six months with 17 Port and Maritime Regt RLC.It was about now that Roy formed the ABMP and started looking at other places to Parachute. .

1993 he joined the Territorial Army.His first unit was 163 Provo Company Royal Military Police(V) On his first interview with the Regiments Colonel he was asked why he wanted to join the RMP.Roy thought briefly and then replied that as he had been arrested that many times by them in Aldershot he knew all their procedures and paperwork.He was immediately given the position of Recruit training instructor. Finally he left the ABMP which had become infested with wannabe's and Walter Mittys and was no longer going in the direction he had intended it to and formed Pathfinder

    His time in the TA saw him move around a bit.From the RMP he went to the Field Hospital at Grantham and then to the Territorial's 165 Port and Maritime at Marchwood. Finally as a 'Section D' soldier he was  detached to Bosnia for a 10 month Operational tour un der 10 Regt RLC.

 

2003.He broke his back testing a Parachute System at Texel. Although initially plastered from the neck to the waist he recovered within three months so that he could walk his daughter Claire Louis down the isle at her wedding..

    Finally being de-mobbed from the Territorial's as being too old to serve his country  he went to work in Iraq as a Site security team leader, Bodyguard on a PSD team and rear gunner on convoy escort duties, being shot twice and blown up twice.

 

Parachute jumps of interest.

 

1969/70 Passed P Company 2 Coy 10 Para (V).Qualified for his British Military wings at Abbingdon having completed 2 Captive balloon jumps from 800 ft ,two  C-130 Hercules jumps from 1000ft and a further  three jumps from a C1 Argosy.

His 8th jump was a battalion exercise onto Frog Hill PTA from a C-130 at 800ft.

 

1970. This was his fourth jump with 10 Para since passing his jumps course and it was into Ginkle Heath for the 25th Anniversary of the Battle for Arnhem. Aircraft used was a C-1 Argosy and he jumped from 900ft.

 

1971. Jumped into Longlou DZ, Ardennes, Belgium at night in a blizzard  alongside 21 and 23 Sqn. SAS as part of an escape and evasion exercise.

 

1971. jumped into Dalby Mountains,Isle of man as part of a 1 Battalion exercise.They were dropped too low and had a lot of casualties.

 

1972. Jumped into Slemish DZ Northern Ireland. 1 Para

 

1973. Jumped twice into Lady's Mile DZ Cyprus with 1 Para and one water descent off the Lady's Mile DZ

 

1973. Drop height trials from 650ft onto Everliegh DZ, Sailsbury Plains.1 Para

 

1975.Now 47 AD Sqn. Jumped from a balloon using the new 22ft Steerable onto RAF Weston on the Green. First from 1000ft and the next from 800ft.Then he completed a further 9 balloon jumps from 800ft with the PX Mk 4 parachute.

 

1976. Balloon jumps onto Queens Avenue Aldershot.

 

1976. Jumped with 22 SAS into New Kelso DZ Scotland. Unfortunately the tide was in and they jumped into 3 ft of Seawater. Luckily no one was injured and everyone waded off the DZ safely.

 

1976. 47 AD Sqn Para section jump on to Dalby Mountain DZ,Isle of Man.

 

1971. Water jumps with the SBS into Studland bay Dorset.

 

1976. Attended and passed the JSPC Free fall course. Chutes used was a front and back system. Double L with I 24 reserve. Aircraft used was Briton Norman Islander and the DH Rapid.

 

1977. Attended 272 Fallschirmjagers Regimental camp at Diepholz in Germany. Carried out 18 jumps from a C-160 Transal onto Aschenmoor DZ and one from a Bell Iroquois Hewey helicopter.Used the T10 chute for the first time. Awarded the German Basic Bronze wing.

 

1977. Again jumped into Ginkle Heath,Arnhem for the anniversary event.One of only two Air Despatchers on the drop. Aircraft was a C-30 and drop height was 800ft.

 

1978.Carried out 2 drops into Norway close to the Arctic circle in support of a 22 SAS exercise.  Chutes used were 22 ft Steerables off the rear ramp of a C-130.Drop 1200ft.

 

1979. Attached to 1 Para on the battalion exchange visit to Fort Campbell. Attended the US Army Airborne school at Fort Bragg. Completed three jumps from a Hewey and two from a C141 Starlifter onto Holland and Normandy DZ to be awarded the USA Airborne basic Airborne wings.

 

1980. Jumping with the Dutch Paraclub Hohne.  Aircraft used was the DO-27. Also jumping at JSPC Bad Lippspringer.

 

1981. First Demo. Jumped from a Puma helicopter at 1000ft for 45 Regt Royal Artillery open day. Chute used was a Para Commander.

 

1982.Demo. Sulze town festival,Germany. Aircraft was the Do-27 and drop height was 4000ft.

 

1983. Competed in the Cyprus Army Parachute Championships. Silver Stars Freefall Display Team.

 

1984. Demo. 27 Regt Log Spt Open day at Mons Barracks, Aldershot. Aircraft used Seaking Helicopter and the drop height was 5000ft

 

1984. Competed in Army Parachute Championships at JSPC Netheravon.  Silver stars.

 

1984. Competed as an individual at Accuracy Competition in Sundbylille Denmark.

 

1985.Demo. RCT Corps Open Day. Buller Barracks. Aircraft used was a Lynx.Drop height was 3500ft.

 

1985.Demo. 27 Regt Log Spt. families day. Aircraft used was a Lynx.Drop height was 400ft.

 

1985. Competed in Army Parachute Championships JSPC Netheravon. Silver Stars.

 

1986.Demo. Siddington. Aircraft used was a Cessna and the drop height was 5000ft.

 

1986. Demo.Practice for RAF Lynham Open Day.Jumped into Fox Covet DZ. Aircaft was C-130 and drop height was 13,000ft. Second jump that day. C-130, drop height  14,500ft.

 

1986.Demo. Landsdown Racecourse. Aircraft used was a Cessna 206 and drop height was 6000ft

 

1987.Demo. Army Dental Corps open day.

 

1987. Competed with 63 Para team in tulip festival Parachute Competition.

 

1987.Demo. Bristol Docks  Regatta.

 

1987. Demo. Biddestone village fete.Hit a wall on landing and badly injured.

 

1994. Arnhem anniversary jump at Texel DZ, Holland. Aircraft was the Cessna caravan.Drop height was 2000ft.

 

1995. 50th Anniversary of VE day at Texel. Den Burg DZ. Aircraft used was the Russian Dakota IL-2. and drop height was 2000ft.

 

1997. Estonian Para course. Estonia .Carried out three jumps from an AN2 to be awarded the Estonian SOG wings.

 

1999.55th Anniversary of the Battle for Arnhem.22 Pathfinder members from 2 x AN2 onto Ginkle Heath.Drop height was 200ft

 

2000. Normandy Invasion anniversary drop.40 Pathfinder members in two drops from a DC3 Dakota in to Merville Gun battery DZ.Drop height was 2000ft

 

2000.Texel DZ Holland.  Demo. for the Arnhem anniversary. Aircraft was a DC3.Drop height was 2200ft

 

2001. Normandy Invasion anniversary drop. 47 Pathfinder members in two drops onto the Merville Gun Battery DZ. Aircraft was a DC3 and drop height was 1500 ft.

 

2002. Czechoslovakia Para course.10 Pathfinder members attended a course run by the EMPA to get their Czech wings

 

2002. Zeeland DZ Holland. Basic Dutch B wing Para course. Aircraft used AN2 'Colt' Drop height 2200.

 

2002. Estonian Home Defence Force Para course. Tallinn Estonia. Aircraft. AN2. Parachute system D6 and drop height was 2400ft.HDF wings presented to all.

 

2002. Jumped into Driel, the Polish  DZ at Arnhem.19 Pathfinder members jumped.Aircraft was an AN2 and drop height was 2000ft.

 

2003. Safety Officer on Ginkle Heath DZ for the Arnhem anniversary drop.

 

 

2004. Safety Officer on DZ N Pegasus Bridge DZ Normandy ,France for the Normandy Invasion anniversary drop.

 

 

 2004. Safety Officer on Ginkle Heath DZ for the Arnhem anniversary drop.

 

 

Total number of Balloon jumps = 30

 

Total number of Military jumps.= 100

 

Total number of Free Fall jumps = 550

 

Total number of Equipment jumps.= 20

 

Total number of night jumps = 20

 

Total number of water jumps.= 7

 

Highest jump.= 16,500

 

Lowest jump.= 400ft

 

Total number  jumps = 650.

 

 

 

Wings awarded.

 

British Military  wings.

German Basic Bronze wings.

American Airborne Basic wings.

Danish DFU wings.

Estonian SOG wings

Estonian Defence Force Wings.

Czech Military brevet.

Dutch B wing.

Air Despatch Brevet

 

Specialist Skills.

 

British Military Para.

Free Fall Basic.

Free Fall advanced.

Commando trained.

B1 Air Despatcher crew Commander

Heavy Drop  Rigger.

Rig Checker.

Installation checker.

Heli Handling Instructor.

Heli abseil Despatcher.

 

Types of Aircraft jumped.

 

Captive balloon.

C1 Argosy.

C-130 Hercules.

C160 Transal

Britain/Norman Islander.

DH.Rapid

Do-27

Patanavia.

Puma.

Turbine Islander

Cessna 185.

Cessna 182.

Cessna 206.

Cessna 172.

Cessna  207.

Cessna 180.

Defender.

Seaking.

Pilatus Porter

Boeing Vertol Chinook.

AN2  'Colt'

DC3 Dakota

IL-2 Illushin

Cessna Caravan 206