FLORENCE MACKINNON<br/><br/>(http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk137/HaibaneR/Florence_MacKinnon_01.jpg)<br/><br/>Once I discovered Doctor Hainic planned to make his "transition" as I thought of it via parachutes jumping from an aeroplane I became even more sceptical, if such a thing were possible. However there was nothing to be lost here. His preparations had been undertaken mostly in secret and few knew of his theory other than close friends and associates he had contacted. If nothing happened we could pass the adventure off as a parachuting trip in the hired aeroplane of an eccentric companion and nothing would be lost, certainly not my reputation. If however by the slimmest chance what he had told us was true...<br/><br/>Everything to be gained, eh?<br/><br/>I had come well prepared and left at home my voluminous skirts and blouses, packing merely one of each for this trip, the rest of my attire being cobbled together from my leather motorcycling overalls and helmet with goggles and a canvas aviator's suit, wool-lined. Although most of my anthropological survey equipment had been packed with the main cargo boxes I kept a few items with me and the knapsack strapped across my front combined with the parachute on my back and the bulky suit to make me look like some odd drunken teddy bear as I staggered up via the narrow folding ladder into the belly of the machine.<br/><br/>Conversation en-route as we gained altitude was almost impossible, these aeroplanes are the devil's own noisiness and we had to scream a few words at the tops of our voices into each other's ears.<br/><br/>(http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/air-recent/junkers-g31.jpg) (http://varifrank.com/images/Tri-motor_Fokker.jpg)<br/><br/>We reached the height and location that Doctor Hainic decided was the right one, though all the sky looks the same to me and he and the men pushed the cargo box out of the door, then indicated it was time to jump out.<br/><br/>I've seen aeroplane shows put on by pilots from the war, displays and things and even seen a man use a parachute, and of course they were used by the Germans in the war but even so! I ask you! I might be the very first female to ever do this!<br/><br/>Waddling in an unladylike manner towards the door, both Herr Kohler and Doctor Muir jumped, Doctor Hainic standing by, switching on the devices strapped on us.<br/><br/>I stood in the small doorway and felt the wind rush past my face, almost ripping the leather flying hat off. I pulled the goggles over my eyes and braced. The others had said something as they went, some sort of yell and as I stood there for a few instants I could quite understand why! It was thrilling! Intensely exhilarating! I couldn't think of anything suitable to yell at all however and leaned back into the door before pulling forwards and leaping out. The sensation of air slamming me over and the feeling of falling was enough however to make me yell out,<strong>"Oh, my God!"</strong>as I plummeted down towards the clouds.