more thoughts from robert99 at the time and some more crops of the pics. shutter/georger

Robert99

bottom gauge appears to also have number 1 thru 12...could it be reading 7,000?

At the moment, I can't think of any aircraft instrument, other than a clock, that uses a modulo 12 numbering system. So until I am proven wrong, I am going to stick with the bottom instrument being an altimeter.

But I do need to clarify my remarks above about the number of needles. If this instrument is a recent manufacture 1971 era altimeter, it should have THREE needles.

The needle not mentioned previously, makes one-tenth of a revolution for ever 10,000 feet of altitude change. This instrument is typically a thin needle with a small triangle on the rim of the scale. Its purpose is to help avoid altitude mistakes for aircraft that fly at high altitudes, say up to 40,000 feet and higher.

The short stubby needle makes one one-tenth of a revolution for ever 1,000 feet of altitude change. The third needle is relatively slender and makes one complete revolution for ever 1,000 feet of altitude change.

All three of these needles move proportionally as the altitude changes. For instance, say that the aircraft is at 35,520 feet ASL. The needle with the rim triangle would be slightly more than half-way between the 3 and 4 on the indicator face. The stubby needle would be just slightly past half-way between the 5 and 6. And the third needle would be exactly on the 520 increment.

A more understandable illustration is if the aircraft is at exactly 11,000 feet ASL. In this case the rim needle would be just slightly past the 1. The stubby needle would be exactly on the 1. And the third needle would be exactly on the 0 at the top of the instrument.

I can't decipher the picture in question very well at all. But if the needle pointing between the 5 and 6 is the stubby needle, and the needle pointing to about the 3 is the third needle, then the altitude would be about 5,300 feet ASL.

If the needles are transposed from the above, then the altitude would be about 3,550 feet ASL.

I don't see the rim needle anywhere.

Robert99

Flyjack wrote: "There is also a very remote theoretical possibility that the TBAR money wasn't part of Cooper's ransom.. but that is too upsetting for some to even consider, especially those that don't understand the fragile and unverified process that created the FBI bill list."

Oh no. Say it ain't so. I spent some serious money for a real Cooper twenty with an intact SN, supplied directly to a charity auction by Brian Ingram. You are right Flyjack, it is too upsetting to consider. That twenty is the centerpiece of my Cooper shrine.

377

<updated to fix wrong attachments, sorry>

here is the fbi memo that talks about the film taken. A copy was sent to the air force too. And maybe Northwest got a copy too?
also included memo from 1_14_72 on the drop test
"sequential black and white still photos" are mentioned. are those of the exterior of the plane? we've seen those before

last page of 2nd memo mentions getting "refined data given to him from Air Force"...for someone in NWA making LZ prediction.

text here, plus attachments

There is being sent under separate cover a copy of a film taken by the U. S. Air Force cameraman from a chase plane adjacent to the Northvest Boeing 727 during the simulated flight made on January 6, 1972 to determine the reactions of the airplane to the dropping of approximately 235 pounds from the rear steps in the same manner which is believed to have been used by the hijacker.

A review of the film shows the normal flight, together with a depression of the stairway as the load descends on the steps.

The Bureau is requested, If it desires, to review the film and then return it to the Seattle Office, it being the original copy. A copy has been made of the film for the U. S. Air Force per their request, and Northwest Airlines for its review.

There are also enclosed in the same package sequential black and white still photos showing the depression of the rear stairway by the addition of the sled and the reaction of the stairway to the actual departure of the sled, it being noted that the stairway immediately returned to a near closed position when the weight was taken from it.

okay, if the consensus is that the money was found just slightly upstream of the dredge spoils site, but close to a water line of some time for the Columbia...then that doesn't seem to rule out dredge caused behavior

Tom seemed to limit dredge behavior to dredge plus bulldozer...no effect from upstream water flow.

Given the money find location, it seems water plus dredge plus bulldozer is the right thing to think about.

It's hard to say how they put the material on the beach..the tractor had a bucket and was a backhoe, they could of placed piles of sand and then graded the sand..that's a question for the Fazio's..Tom's site shows they only pushed dirt 50 yards each way but Palmer finds a dredge layer a hundred plus yards away?

The dredge problems seem to be whether or not some of it could survive the pump. then the lack of any other bundles found but as you see in the 1984 photo during a dredge operation the slurry is all over the place and could of slid right back into the Columbia. until someone tosses a bag through one we will never know..

Funny, the agent reviewing the Sheridan lead was transferred shortly after
It was agent JMH at this time, in seattle

Not clear if his photo was ever shown to the stews.

Due to this Agent's transfer, it is recommended that any future leads regarding suspect <redacted> be reassigned to another agent
 

Okay there are 19 pages of sequential pages in the FOIA regarding Sheridan on 5_15_72
The last page, page 19, is questionable whether it's part of same stuff. I believe it is because of the date on it and it's position in the file.
It is heavily redacted, but might have some info.
the other pages, I've not reviewed fully, but you'll agree from the resume it's all Sheridan.

On page 6 it lists his Boeing employment application physical details (i have to check the year of the application)
I had to reduce that page due to size limitations.

Male, White, Height ..I believe it says 6'1 ..Weight 195, Eyes Blue, Hair Black

So they knew Sheridan had blue eyes then, but still considered him seriously

I can only do 3 attachments per post, so will post 7 times

Sheridan 5_15_72 pages 1-3 attached

Sheridan 5_15_72 pages 7-9 attached