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© McIntyre collection

Parachute Store

Experience life inside a Second World War parachute store.

Newly restored to its original Second World War appearance, the Parachute Store is where parachutes were dried and repacked ready for use. See the original furniture and storage used, but mind your head as our parachutes hang from the ceiling!

Parachute store packers

Maintaining parachutes

To ensure that this essential piece of air crew equipment was properly maintained, East Fortune had its own dedicated parachute store. It's a strange shaped building and one that is easily recognised from the outside amongst the more familiar bunkers, aircraft hangars and Nissen huts on site. 

Step inside the East Fortune Parachute Store and find out at close quarters how parachutes were carefully maintained.

Authentic recreation

The Parachute Store has been carefully recreated, using a 1936 Parachute Maintenance manual.  You will see the pulleys holding drying parachutes from the ceiling, original stoves that were used to keep the store warm and dry and a very long table where the parachutes were laid out ready to be packed.

You will find out all the procedures and processes necessary in order to keep the parachutes in pristine condition and have them ready for active service.

Stepping outside, you will come away knowing everything about life inside a Second World War parachute store!

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What are these links?

Women parachute packers © Imperial War Museum Parachute storeWoman packing parachute

Preparation of parachutes during Second World War © McIntyre Collection. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk

Diagram of parachute shed

Parachute shed diagram from 1936 manual.

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130