Originally Posted by
Ascend Charlie
SPAZ, we had an interesting demo at 2FTS in 1978 when a test was done on this canopy breaking tool. An unserviceable canopy was due to be tossed, so a test was devised.
Leroy the Boy was kitted up in full rig, helmet, mask etc and strapped into the seat, the canopy closed and locked, and "GO!"
He grabbed the tool, and started punching at the perspex. And punching. ...and...punching... and no damage was apparent. He ran out of puff with right hand, switched to left hand, tried over head swing, uppercut swing, and after a rest and around 7 minutes of punching, a small hole appeared top right. Lots more effort to enlarge the hole, puff puff, and finally a hole big enough for him to wriggle through was made and he squirmed out. Sadly, no film was recorded of this.
We all stood around, thinking that this magical tool was little use if he was on fire. Even less use if airborne and trying to get out before bumping into the ground.
Heheh.
Thanks - good to know - I'm glad I did not have to use it but very pleased the redesign of the canopy lock system was SAFE.
Scroll down to TWO pages of this 'PDF seen online' here for the 'MB326H open canopy in flight' (amended) story [original written by Grahame Higgs ex RAN ATC then RAAF]
THE LOSS OF MACCHI A7-039:
"...On the 11th August 1970, Macchi A7-039 was returning to RAAF Gin Gin following an early instrument flying training sortie. As the aircraft came through initial (?? turning finals perhaps - tb) for Rwy 08, the canopy was seen to separate from the aircraft about halfway down the runway. A7-039 continued on to pitch just past the control tower and to impact in a clear patch of ground adjacent to the NDB. Unfortunately we lost both of the crew, the instructor in the front seat was incapacitated by the canopy departing in flight and the student in the back seat remained with the aircraft. The procedure in vogue at the time permitted the student in the rear cockpit under the instrument flying hood to slide the hood back at the end of the instrument sortie to take advantage of the visual approach and landing. In this instance there is a possibility that the student while sliding back the hood, (popularly known as “The Bag”) accidentally bumped open the canopy release handle...
...As a result of the loss of A7-039, the locking mechanism for the Macchi was redesigned and a clever cam device was introduced which eliminated accidental operation. In addition, the rear seat pilot under “the bag” would no longer slide the hood back for landing. It did mean however that in the event of ejection with the hood in place, the canopy had to be jettisoned first. When jettisoning the Macchi canopy both sides were released simultaneously which allowed it to clear the aircraft cleanly...."
Microsoft Word - Page15.doc (austradesecure.com)