Ejection seats
Good programme on the National Geographic Channel last night featuring the Russian K36 bang seat which saved the guys who collided at Fairford. Some good videoclips - plus good pieces to camera from John Farley and Martin Stoner. No journalistic bull$hit, just the straight facts.
Krystal,
I was planeguard alongside Eagle when the Vixen incident occured, grandstand seat
Late afternoon recoveries, the Vixen had been low level (we were off Wales, somewhere) and had a fairly grotty vision of life, with salt spray over the windscreen. Recovery course was almost directly into the setting sun, so no surprise when the line up went pear shaped just before coming over the round down
During the bolter, the stbd wing tip took out bits of two Buccs and another Vixen, parked in Fly 2 and Fly 1.
Having got back airborne (just....), a divert to Valley with the wingtip shaved down to an inch or two of the outboard aileron hinge followed. About as close as we got to being needed on planeguard!
Johnfairr,
The Vixen ditching was Friday 13th, another verse to the Sea Vixen song:- Bruce ? was the pilot. IIRC, not a lack of noise, but classic Sea Vixen over rotate off the bow cat, with some nifty boat handling to avoid running over the wreck
I was planeguard alongside Eagle when the Vixen incident occured, grandstand seat
Late afternoon recoveries, the Vixen had been low level (we were off Wales, somewhere) and had a fairly grotty vision of life, with salt spray over the windscreen. Recovery course was almost directly into the setting sun, so no surprise when the line up went pear shaped just before coming over the round down During the bolter, the stbd wing tip took out bits of two Buccs and another Vixen, parked in Fly 2 and Fly 1.Having got back airborne (just....), a divert to Valley with the wingtip shaved down to an inch or two of the outboard aileron hinge followed. About as close as we got to being needed on planeguard!
Johnfairr,
The Vixen ditching was Friday 13th, another verse to the Sea Vixen song:- Bruce ? was the pilot. IIRC, not a lack of noise, but classic Sea Vixen over rotate off the bow cat, with some nifty boat handling to avoid running over the wreck
Last edited by John Eacott; 1st Apr 2004 at 21:50.
BOAC,
Stumpy Stoner now flies (as I do) with FRADU on the Hawk at Culdrose
JimGriff,
You wanted detail on ejections. I've watched 3 (4 if you count my own). Two were fatal unfortunately, as they were outside seat limits (Stu Pearse from a Gnat at Valley and Frank Whitehouse from the Lightning over-rotation at Tengah) but Gordon Moulds' ejection from a Phantom was, thankfully, succecssful.
My own was from a Hunter F6, XF443, on 3 Aug 67 on my third night solo on type from Chivenor. The engine seized and I reached High Key in the Chivenor overhead only to go straight into cloud. Knowing that I was the proverbial brick (rate of descent in excess of 2500'/min) I turned a little tighter hoping to come out at or around low key but eventually found myself through the RW centreline and poorly placed! The ejection was v late (approx 300ft) and I landed in trees. Undeneath the next tree was an Army cook and his girlfriend enjoying themselves and he literally ran up to me pulling his trousers up! Thankfully I did myself no damage and was flying again 5 days later.
Stumpy Stoner now flies (as I do) with FRADU on the Hawk at Culdrose
JimGriff,
You wanted detail on ejections. I've watched 3 (4 if you count my own). Two were fatal unfortunately, as they were outside seat limits (Stu Pearse from a Gnat at Valley and Frank Whitehouse from the Lightning over-rotation at Tengah) but Gordon Moulds' ejection from a Phantom was, thankfully, succecssful.
My own was from a Hunter F6, XF443, on 3 Aug 67 on my third night solo on type from Chivenor. The engine seized and I reached High Key in the Chivenor overhead only to go straight into cloud. Knowing that I was the proverbial brick (rate of descent in excess of 2500'/min) I turned a little tighter hoping to come out at or around low key but eventually found myself through the RW centreline and poorly placed! The ejection was v late (approx 300ft) and I landed in trees. Undeneath the next tree was an Army cook and his girlfriend enjoying themselves and he literally ran up to me pulling his trousers up! Thankfully I did myself no damage and was flying again 5 days later.
Thread Starter
Thanks for that Dave. We have spoken I think. (Are you at Kemble?)
I have enjoyed seeing the 2 seat hunter in the Dovey loop a few times. Keep it up!
Oops! Just seen you not at Kemble but at FRADU. Any chance of a jolly?
I have enjoyed seeing the 2 seat hunter in the Dovey loop a few times. Keep it up!
Oops! Just seen you not at Kemble but at FRADU. Any chance of a jolly?
Wasnt there in the early 1990's a couple of guys getting ejected out of RNZAF A-4's. I recall that one was over the Firth of Tames and that the pilot was severly injured. Can anyone confim this as I was only 5 or 6 at the time.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: due south
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There were 4 ejections from RNZAF A4's, one downwind at Ohakea and the pilot suffered a broken leg, one near Castlepoint, one near Marton, and one in Australia. The last three without injury.
The only one that I can remember over the Firth of Thames was a RAAF F111, but that was a lot earlier than 1990 and IIRC the crew were unharmed.
The only one that I can remember over the Firth of Thames was a RAAF F111, but that was a lot earlier than 1990 and IIRC the crew were unharmed.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Henry
The F-111C ejection near NZ was via a Crew Module - rocket propelled. It went into the sea supported by floatation bags but took aboard some water which could be pumped out by the bilge pump. Bilge pump is operated by moving the stick fore and aft.
Then there was that spectacular ejection from a terminal F16 at Mountain Home in the USA recently. One of the USAF's Blue Angel aerobatic team.
Fi6 would have been pulling 9g or at 27 degrees alpha, whichever comes first, when the seat rocket fired.
If the rocket gives the seat about a 12g acceleration and the start point was 9g then what does the pilot feel as the seat departs.? Careful it's not what you may think at first!!
The F-111C ejection near NZ was via a Crew Module - rocket propelled. It went into the sea supported by floatation bags but took aboard some water which could be pumped out by the bilge pump. Bilge pump is operated by moving the stick fore and aft.
Then there was that spectacular ejection from a terminal F16 at Mountain Home in the USA recently. One of the USAF's Blue Angel aerobatic team.
Fi6 would have been pulling 9g or at 27 degrees alpha, whichever comes first, when the seat rocket fired.
If the rocket gives the seat about a 12g acceleration and the start point was 9g then what does the pilot feel as the seat departs.? Careful it's not what you may think at first!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Lincs.
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Herp...
You have a good memory! The incident with the GR1 was indeed in the early 80's if my memory serves me right 83 possibly 84. The a/c was I beleive one of XV's fins and indeed it did suffer the fate which you describe. (The local rumour was that the nav was playing space invaders on the com 64 looked up saw A10 and Roberts your Mothers brother!)
The a/c first struck a hill heading towards somewhere interesting and on impact with the hill, (belly first, then the a/c started to disintegrate over a distance of three miles) the shock caused the collapse of several pre fab houses on the top of the hill. Luckilly, all occupants of the houses were out apart from one local who was walking towards his front door, key in hand, when the house collapsed infront of him!
Another great MB opperation for the crew.
(and a cracking little pub just a short way from the crash site. The landladies daughter was even more delicious than the food and drink!)
You have a good memory! The incident with the GR1 was indeed in the early 80's if my memory serves me right 83 possibly 84. The a/c was I beleive one of XV's fins and indeed it did suffer the fate which you describe. (The local rumour was that the nav was playing space invaders on the com 64 looked up saw A10 and Roberts your Mothers brother!)
The a/c first struck a hill heading towards somewhere interesting and on impact with the hill, (belly first, then the a/c started to disintegrate over a distance of three miles) the shock caused the collapse of several pre fab houses on the top of the hill. Luckilly, all occupants of the houses were out apart from one local who was walking towards his front door, key in hand, when the house collapsed infront of him!
Another great MB opperation for the crew.
(and a cracking little pub just a short way from the crash site. The landladies daughter was even more delicious than the food and drink!)
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 18,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Dave. Nice to hear from you. Say Hi to Stumps from the right-hand side.
..and the cook!? Let's hope he didn't need 5 days.
he literally ran up to me pulling his trousers up! Thankfully I did myself no damage
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OOps I didn't touch a thing!!
Then there was youg Tom Stoney RAAF converting to a Meteor 8 before going Mig hunting just minding his own business out of Iwakuni, Japan circa 1951.
Suddenly his Meteor is well below and aimlessly circling looking for its pilot. Fortunately never did find him again.
Then there was youg Tom Stoney RAAF converting to a Meteor 8 before going Mig hunting just minding his own business out of Iwakuni, Japan circa 1951.
Suddenly his Meteor is well below and aimlessly circling looking for its pilot. Fortunately never did find him again.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Road to Nowhere
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UNCOMMANDED EJECTION?
Any other examples of this?
I seem to remember a certain FC floating down into the Bristol Channel following his seat, which I believe was never found and for which there is, apparently, a reward offered by MB! I know some people doubt his story, but I have him tell it over lunch, and his version of events completely changed my perspective.
Don't think it's ever been proved either way, hence the MB reward!
I seem to remember a certain FC floating down into the Bristol Channel following his seat, which I believe was never found and for which there is, apparently, a reward offered by MB! I know some people doubt his story, but I have him tell it over lunch, and his version of events completely changed my perspective.
Don't think it's ever been proved either way, hence the MB reward!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Caterpillar Club
Almost worthy as a new thread.
Survivors by parachute qualify for membership of that exclusive club - "The Caterpillar Club" - and are issued with a highly prized little grub.
Spotted a WW2 RAAF Vet wearing two grubs recently at a Battle of Britain commemoration function.
Does anyone know
The origin of the club and is it still active?
Why a caterpillar?
Are there members with more than two?
Is the club worldwide?
Is a certificate of qualification issued?
How many caterpillars issued to date?
Is there a value placed on the caterpillars by medal collectors?
Almost worthy as a new thread.
Survivors by parachute qualify for membership of that exclusive club - "The Caterpillar Club" - and are issued with a highly prized little grub.
Spotted a WW2 RAAF Vet wearing two grubs recently at a Battle of Britain commemoration function.
Does anyone know
The origin of the club and is it still active?
Why a caterpillar?
Are there members with more than two?
Is the club worldwide?
Is a certificate of qualification issued?
How many caterpillars issued to date?
Is there a value placed on the caterpillars by medal collectors?