The Nest

[Charles Collins]

I think that most of us here have viewed the video of the December 1963 reenactment by the Secret Service. Here are a couple of images from that video that show an agent sitting in a reconstructed sniper’s nest:







There are a few items that I wish to point out regarding these images. He obviously doesn’t have a rifle in his hands aimed at the target area. He appears to be straddling box C on the floor with his legs. And the three window boxes appear to be positioned too far to the west compared to the position seen in the crime scene photos taken on 11/22/63. 

[Charles Collins]

Now that we have a little background posted, Let us see what the model of the sniper’s nest can tell us. Coming up are a few photos that show how it appears to me things might have transpired:

In these first two images notice that both legs are pointing west (not straddling box C). This position aligns the target area at about a 45-degree angle to the torso (much like the shooting positions shown earlier in this thread). Also, the rifle is resting low enough that no one can see it from the ground outside. And, when leaning forward a little, the intersection of Main and Houston streets can be seen. Also, Brennan, Fischer, etc can see the assassin (when he leans forward). Also, please note that I am holding a remote shutter button in my left hand instead of actually gripping the fore stock of the rifle. This is common to all the photos. If I didn’t need to press the button, I would have a better grip on the fore stock.






The next image shows the rifle raised up (quick and easy to do) and aimed at the Z161 target. Notice that the barrel of the rifle is actually touching box B (the one on the window sill). I am stretched upwards as far as I can go. And I cannot get my eye close enough to the ocular lens of the scope to be within the eye relief of 3.5” for this scope. This appears to me to be probable interference that could have caused an inadvertent shot that missed the entire limo. If the intent was to shoot after the limo cleared the oak tree interference, the assassin would have needed to get prepared by getting the rifle aimed at the target a little early and begin to track the movement of the target. It makes sense to me that around Z161 might have been a logical time to begin this preparation. And keep in mind that the assassin probably would not have been able to practice this beforehand without risking that someone would see him with a rifle aimed at the street below.




The next two images show the rifle aimed at the Z225 and Z313 targets. These are both comfortable shots that do not appear to have any interference. And I had no issues positioning my eye in the correct eye relief position. These are also the two shots that apparently hit their marks.

[Charles Collins]

Here’s a few photos from over the shoulder to try to address James Hackerott’s question regarding the conduit’s potential interference, etc. The first one is with the rifle resting down in the lap area. The conduit is close to the left arm but not interfering




The next three photos are while aiming at the three different targets, Z161, Z225, and Z313. Again the conduit is close but doesn’t interfere. I frankly didn’t even realize that it was even there during the aiming proceedures.  I think that one reason it isn’t in the way is that the left arm needs to be extended to near the southwest edge of box A for support. The hand is even past that box edge for the shot at Z313.










I believe that the conduit would interfere with a shot at the target for the Z133 position. But the corner of box B is completely blocking that shot from a sitting position. So, I am changing my thinking about an intentional shot that early. If there was one that early, I think it was likely an inadvertent shot that missed the entire limo. I just find it hard to believe that an assassin would intentionally stand up for that shot and then have to change his position to a sitting one. He had to know that there was only a short time span available to shoot. And intentionally spending any of that time changing positions seems unlikely to me. Max Holland thinks he did, but I disagree.

[James Hackerott]

Here’s a few photos from over the shoulder to try to address James Hackerott’s question regarding the conduit’s potential interference, etc. The first one is with the rifle resting down in the lap area. The conduit is close to the left arm but not interfering
“Thanks very much for this study.”



The next three photos are while aiming at the three different targets, Z161, Z225, and Z313. Again the conduit is close but doesn’t interfere. I frankly didn’t even realize that it was even there during the aiming proceedures.  I think that one reason it isn’t in the way is that the left arm needs to be extended to near the southwest edge of box A for support. The hand is even past that box edge for the shot at Z313.
“I’m interested “if” the conduit, as planned by the sniper, was helpful for lateral stabilization. I realize only his left shoulder would be in contact with the conduit, but do you think the sniper could have used the conduit to a slight advantage? As a side note, I’ve just wondered if the rifle sling might have been used during the shooting.”









I believe that the conduit would interfere with a shot at the target for the Z133 position. But the corner of box B is completely blocking that shot from a sitting position. So, I am changing my thinking about an intentional shot that early. If there was one that early, I think it was likely an inadvertent shot that missed the entire limo. I just find it hard to believe that an assassin would intentionally stand up for that shot and then have to change his position to a sitting one. He had to know that there was only a short time span available to shoot. And intentionally spending any of that time changing positions seems unlikely to me. Max Holland thinks he did, but I disagree.

“Exactly!
Excerpt from the WC testimony of Mr. Ronald B. Fischer
Mr. BELIN - Now, would you describe what you saw as you were standing on that curb?
Mr. FISCHER - About 10 or 15 seconds before the parade--first car of the parade came around the corner.
Mr. BELIN - Now what corner is that?
Mr. FISCHER - Of Houston and Main.
Mr. BELIN - Uh-huh.
Mr. FISCHER - Which would have been the first time we could have seen any of the cars because of the building---about 10 or 15 seconds before the first car came around that corner, Bob punched me and said, "Look at that guy there in that window." And he made some remark---said, "He looks like he's uncomfortable"--or something.
And I looked up and I watched the man for, oh, I'd say, 10 or 15 seconds. It was until the first car came around the corner of Houston and Main. And, then, when that car did come around the corner, I took my attention off of the man in the window and started watching the parade. The man held my attention for 10 or 15 seconds, because he appeared uncomfortable for one, and, secondly, he wasn't watching-uh---he didn't look like he was watching for the parade. He looked like he was looking down toward the Trinity River and the triple underpass down at the end-toward the end of Elm Street. And--uh--all the time I watched him, he never moved his head, he never-he never moved anything. Just was there transfixed. “

I believe the assassin planned to start shooting as the limousine cleared the oak tree, circa Z223.

When I was developing a 3D view replicating the filmed nest boxes scene by Tom Alyea I determined the big Scott Foresman box (D?) was rotated about 40 degrees to the window bricks. I today plotted that on a Dealey Plaza map and found an extended perpendicular line from west face of the box is very near where JFK was about Z223.


So Charles, would you mind checking the angle that the box “D” (I think) makes with with the window bricks and see if a 40 degree rotation makes a difference to the conduit becoming more in play?

Thanks for your help. Please don’t dissemble the nest for a while if you can  .

[Charles Collins]

Sure James, I am happy to try. It looks like we are very close on the angle to begin with (before I change anything). As my original first trial, I have set it at 41.329-degrees already (calculated with triangle calculator) versus your 40-degrees. Don’t worry about this model being demolished. I do not plan to disassemble the model anytime soon. So feel free to make suggestions. Thanks.

[James Hackerott]

Sure James, I am happy to try. It looks like we are very close on the angle to begin with (before I change anything). As my original first trial, I have set it at 41.329-degrees already (calculated with triangle calculator) versus your 40-degrees. Don’t worry about this model being demolished. I do not plan to disassemble the model anytime soon. So feel free to make suggestions. Thanks.

Okay, your measurement is more than close enough to 40 degrees, and more than fine for my needs. Thanks!

[Charles Collins]

Okay, your measurement is more than close enough to 40 degrees, and more than fine for my needs. Thanks!

Okay, I will leave it there for now. Thanks.