Question about parachutes used by Japanese in WWII?

Question

I'm doing a script about World War II, but in my research, I couldn't find anything on the type of material that the Japanese used to make their parachutes. Is it nylon? Did nylon already exist in the 1940s? Could anyone please tell me what type of textile that the Japanese used to make their parachutes?

Answer 1

I believe Japanese parachutes were made of silk (nylon was not in use at the time).

Note that many Japanese pilots didn't were their chutes or used them only as seat cushions. This became a problem for their military in that an experienced pilot saved by a chute is more valuable than one who has died an honorable death in combat.

Answer 2

I imagine nylon and silk played a vital role in parachuting manufacturing during World War II. Our Airborne forces used the T-7 and later the T-10--made of nylon and silk.

The phrase, "Hitting the silk" was the paratrooper's byline of exiting the aircraft and feel the above canopy open.

Answer 3

Nylon did exist, but was used by American parachutes, not the Japanese.

Answer 4

Schindler's List Shining Through Pearl Harbor

Answer 5

What all chutes were orginally made of is explained by the use of the term "hit the silk" for bailing out, and by the name of the club formed by people who have bailed out to save their lives: "The Silk Worm Club." All Japanese chutes were made of silk.