In the HALO technique, the parachutist opens his parachute at a low altitude after free-falling for a period of time, while in the HAHO technique, the parachutist opens his parachute at a high altitude just a few seconds after jumping from the aircraft. HALO techniques date back to 1960 when the U.S. Air Force was conducting experiments that followed earlier work by Colonel John Stapp in the late 1940s through early 1950s on survivability factors for high-flying pilots needing to eject at high altitudes. In recent years, the HALO technique has been practiced by civilians as a form of skydiving. HALO is used for delivering equipment, supplies, or personnel, while HAHO is generally used only for personnel.
In typical HALO / HAHO insertions, the troops are dispatched from altitudes between 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and 35,000 feet (11,000 m).
VERY HOT will be releasing three versions of 1/6 scale HALO military figures: a U.S. ARMY Special Forces - HALO (shown above and in the pictures following), a U.S. Navy SEAL HALO UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) Jumper Camouflage Dry Suit version and a U.S. Navy SEAL HALO UDT Jumper Wet Suit version, all with and without figure options available.
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These are certainly not the first 12-inch HALO figure sets to have ever been released. Dragon Models Limited released their version many many years ago but the best sets were to come from Hot Toys, way before they even went into movie merchandising. Hot Toys released two versions of HALO jumpers way back in 2001 (a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret Woodlands camouflage version and a U.S. Navy SEAL wet suit version) on which these Very Hot releases seem to be based on as well. It's been a while since we have seen HALO figures so this is good for new comers to the 12-inch military figure market. You can check out pictures of the 2001 released Hot Toys 1/6 scale U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) Jumper 12-inch figure posted on my toy blog HERE
BBI also released a Elite Force 1/6 scale Australian SAS Regiment HALO Jumper (SASR HALO) "CPL Chris Naylor" 12-inch military figure in 2003 and it was GOOD! Not as heavily decked out as Hot Toys' HALO, but still very nice for the asking price. You can see the pictures HERE.
In 2004, Hot Toys followed up with their 1/6 scale U.S. Navy SEAL Night Ops Jumper 12-inch figure which was not a HALO figure but a straight drop paratrooper figure. Check out the post HERE.
In a typical HALO exercise, a parachutist will jump with: an altimeter, an automatic [parachute] activation device (AAD), a parachute, knife, helmet, pair of gloves, pair of military free-fall boots, bailout oxygen, 50 to 100+ pound combat pack with fighting and sustenance gear (depending on the mission parameters and operational specifications). These operators are certainly a rare breed!
The VERY HOT 1/6 scale U.S. ARMY Special Forces - HALO 12-inch figure will come with a Vin Diesel looking head sculpt for the figure and outfit option.
Scroll down to see pictures of the Very Hot U.S. Navy SEAL HALO UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) Jumper Camouflage Dry Suit version (with and without figure options)
All types of parachuting technique are dangerous, but HALO/HAHO carry special risks. At high altitudes (greater than 22,000 feet [6,700 m]), the partial pressure of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere is low. Oxygen is required for human respiration and lack of pressure can lead to hypoxia. Also, rapid ascent in the jump aircraft without all nitrogen flushed from the bloodstream can lead to decompression sickness (also known as caisson disease or "the bends").
A typical HALO exercise will require a pre-breathing period (30–45 minutes) prior to jump where the jumper breathes 100% oxygen in order to flush nitrogen from their bloodstream. Also, a HALO jumper will employ an oxygen bottle during the jump. Danger can come from medical conditions affecting the jumper. For example, cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use (including histamine antagonists, sedatives, and analgesics), anemia, carbon monoxide, fatigue and anxiety can all lead to a jumper being more susceptible to hypoxia. In addition, problems with the oxygen bottle and during the changeover from the pre-breather to the oxygen bottle can result in the return of nitrogen to the jumper's bloodstream and, therefore, an increased likelihood of decompression sickness.
Another risk is from the low ambient temperatures prevalent at higher altitudes. At an altitude of 35,000 feet, the jumper faces temperatures of –45 °C (–50 °F), and can experience frostbite. However, HALO jumpers generally wear polypropylene knit undergarments and other warm clothing to prevent this.
HALO carries the additional risk that if the parachute fails to deploy or lines become tangled, there is less time to resort to the reserve (back-up parachute) or untangle the lines, though the reserve is the best option if this were to occur.
The VERY HOT 1/6 scale U.S. Navy SEAL HALO UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) Jumper Camouflage Dry Suit version 12-inch figure will come with a Jason Statham looking head sculpt for the figure and outfit option.
Last but not least, Very Hot will also be releasing a U.S. Navy SEAL HALO UDT Jumper Wet Suit version (with and without figure options)
The figure option will come with a Jason Statham looking head sculpt
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