Gannet AEW 'Underwater escape assistance package'
To add to Mike's post above -
There was clearly a problem with the Gannet Mk 3 ditching situation, which may not have been fully anticipated at the design stage. After 'jettisoning' the hood, which appears to have been merely a mechanical disconnection rather than the more decisive explosive removal, the pilot's hood (ie canopy) tended to slide forward freely, presumably still on it's rails, encouraged by it's heavy weight and the nose down sinking attitude, thus trapping the pilot, with fatal consequences. This of course depended on whether the deck landing was made with the hood locked open or fully closed. My recollection is that in later years at least, the SOP for both AEW and AS versions was 'hood closed and locked' as it was very draughty and noisy if open. On the other hand, on a nice sunny day, opening the canopy for a while in the cruise could be quite exhilarating.
From Simon Askins' excellent Gannet book page 60 - (see my post # 47, and referring to a distressing 1962 fatality)
"Later on a catch was fitted to hold the hood open – although the resultant gap was still only sixteen inches. Addressing these problems, in the final years of the Gannet's service an underwater escape assistance package was devised and installed. This worked on compressed air and first removed the canopy, then pushed the pilot, in his seat, clear of the aircraft, inflated his life jacket and finally separated him from the seat. It is not known whether the system was ever tried in anger, though the theory seems impeccable."
Simon also observed Page 19, that
"Of the AEW Mk 3s, 22 out of the 44 built were lost to accidents or misfortune."
About standard for FAA aircraft of that era and the contemporary procurement processes.
LFH