The F-4 landing chute could be repacked by most anyone and we used them often to save the brakes. It took a stand and a good wacking with a chock to get all of that JP stinking nylon into the tailcone. It was deployed by a large spring.
Alternate uses included spin recovery. Tapping the burners would cut the chute in less than a second as would hitting the release handle.
The major problem with a chute on rollout is that it increases your sensitivity to crosswinds by a very large factor.
Cubdriver is right as usual, above a certain speed most will be ripped off or blown out. The fighter chutes were good for about 160+ knots or so.
Last edited by jungle; 03-03-2010 at 04:47 PM.