So what do we know about that submarine? Did it have windows?  It would not have to worry as much about pressure like a deep ocean sub.  So I would sure hope they could see out of it?  Because sonar equipment was scarce then I am pretty sure?  And what good would sonar do you?  None.  Was it a real sub or some Laurel and Hardy special?

Just wondering if the search of the waters involved here was good enough to really have some idea that he did not sink toe the bottom with the loot and the bombs and chutes?  I say no damn way because some of that stuff would float or show up.  And not like at Tena Bar.  I wonder if the sun had set when me made the jump?  I mean, was it completely nightfall?

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Just wondering if the search of the waters involved here was good enough to really have some idea that he did not sink toe the bottom with the loot and the bombs and chutes?  I say no damn way because some of that stuff would float or show up.  And not like at Tena Bar.  I wonder if the sun had set when me made the jump?  I mean, was it completely nightfall?

Two major searches of the Merwin-Ariel area occurred; one in 71-72 and a re-visit of the area again in 1976 backed by Royal Globe Insurance. This was all based on three pieces of data: (a) the original AF radar flight path map, (b)  crew testimony, primarily pilot Wm Scott, and (c) NWA's FDR tape analysis that the time of the oscillations/bump put Cooper's LZ in the Merwin Lake/Ariel area. Using that analysis a new more detailed search map of the Merwin area was generated with various searches proposed by various people with Royal Globe Insurance now involved.  Flight engineer Anderson issued a caveat: Anderson felt the ATC flight communications timeline was being ignored and had to be considered. Anderson, it appears, was largely ignored. 

All of this follows the FBI NORJAK evaluation Conference held at San Francisco early in 1976.

Searching Lake Merwin proved problematic - see attached. 

This refocus on the Merwin Lake area in 1976 backed by Royal Globe Ins. and the offer of a new Reward for finding Cooper money, ushered in a whole new series of events including several hoaxes, extending to Ariel and the Ariel dam.

Not to mention the fact from a tactical point of view, the instant he puts on a chute (early) in the confined space of that airplane he becomes more vulnerable, physically (tactically). This is a guy making some bold choices ... only to have the FBI stall things and keep the plane on the ground for hours! Something is compelling or managing Cooper's decisions, and its not exactly rational from a tactical defensive point of view! What's he going to do if they rush him and his bomb is not real?

The whole situation is loaded for trouble - what's he doing putting on a chute and screwing around trying to make ANY container for the money!? The knapsack was supposed to be the container! Ooooops. Scratch that part of the plan! From a tactical point of view Cooper has made himself a vulnerable target ... if people outside the plane are aware of what's going on inside that plane. 

Ill bet he had more things hidden than we will ever know.  He was very smart and he thought this thing through very well.  I still think he has more in his bag to help him after the jump

I do not have the evidence but you cannot counter it either. He was back there fiddling about for at least 20 minutes after ordering Tina to the cockpit right?  So who knows what he was doing?  Perhaps putting on thermal underwear?  I do not buy into this 57 below zero crap either.  It might have been the wind chill for a split second or two when he jumped?  But that would be it. It was not even snowing. It was rain.  It was not upstate NY.  He could have had other things under that fake bomb.  Survival gear?