Vertically aligned first (30) and second (32) combined blowhead and takeout mechanisms are provided to sequentially blow glass parisons (P) into containers (C) in a mold set (22) and to transfer blown containers to a deadplate (40) of a glass containing forming machine (20). Each of the combined mechanisms is pivotally suspended about an axis A from a carrier arm (36) that is pivotally attached to an end of an oscillating arm (38), an opposed end of which is pivoted about an axis (B). The axis (B) of each combined blowhead and takeout mechanism is periodically raised and lowered to permit the other combined blowhead and takeout mechanism to oscillate therebeneath, to thereby permit overlapping cycles between the blowhead and takeout mechanisms. Each blowhead and takeout mechanism is provided with a chuck or tong assembly (54) to engage or release each container by its finish (F). Each tong assembly has a plurality of tong elements (74) that are simultaneously moved radially in or out by oscillation of a cam (50) that has a non-circular slot (78) in which a pin (76) carried by each tong element rides.