Ejection... Cutting it fine
To be fair though, given the mental distractions and existing priorities at the actual moment, I'll bet that universally after a couple of martini's that's just naturally the first question that comes to mind....
"By the way, did it pitch down?"
"By the way, did it pitch down?"
so even after 30 plus years if somebody askes me "did it pitch down?" the answer is - no. Was there a "jolt"? - yes.
I have to agree with wiggy! After 30 years plus I remember it like yesterday and I left the aircraft at 73 feet above the ground. As the seat fired I clearly remember seeing the aircraft as I shot away from the cockpit so expect my head was somewhere between my knees!!
The most memorable experience is the total silence after the ejection!
I have to agree with wiggy! After 30 years plus I remember it like yesterday and I left the aircraft at 73 feet above the ground. As the seat fired I clearly remember seeing the aircraft as I shot away from the cockpit so expect my head was somewhere between my knees!!
The most memorable experience is the total silence after the ejection!
This is the classic illustration. Low speed, minimal pitch stability. If the aircraft had been in that attitude before or during the ejection there is no way that he would have survived the ejection.
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Actually, chaps, inferring ANYTHING like that from a still shot automatically enrolls one in the 'armchair' club.
Regarding "Did it pitch down" - the answer is I didn't:-
a) Care
b) Hang around to find out.
See
Regarding "Did it pitch down" - the answer is I didn't:-
a) Care
b) Hang around to find out.
See
Originally Posted by OK465
To be fair though, given the mental distractions and existing priorities at the actual moment, I'll bet that universally after a couple of martini's that's just naturally the first question that comes to mind....
"By the way, did it pitch down?"
"By the way, did it pitch down?"
Blimey, I wish I never asked - 'twas only an observation
ORAC - that Harrier pilot deserves a chestful of medals for sticking with the wreck for so long. He only stepped out when flames were licking around the cockpit. For fear of getting another kicking from those far more experienced than I, did I spot an unused Paveway on the outer pylon?
ORAC - that Harrier pilot deserves a chestful of medals for sticking with the wreck for so long. He only stepped out when flames were licking around the cockpit. For fear of getting another kicking from those far more experienced than I, did I spot an unused Paveway on the outer pylon?
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Deadpan,
You did indeed squire.
Madbob,
Did you actually watch the video or are you trying to let everyone know how much Harrier knowledge you have?
My point:
At 6sec into the video, you will see that the main landing gear ceases to be attached to the airframe. At 10secs, the nose-wheel ceases to be. Hence your comment...:
"Easy to say after the event, but had he stop-cocked the engine after landing and not used power (against the braking stop) to slow down he might not have ended up ejecting. Runway length was sufficient to stop on wheel brakes alone....."
...is utter tripe. Sorry.
"The flames only appeared after he had selected nozzles to the "braking" stop."
Is this factually correct or your armchair opinion? Seems like the latter to me. Why/how did the flames appear then? On what basis do you make that comment?
Again, if you watch the video with maybe 1 eye open, I suspect the airframe, including fuel tanks, stores and a pod dragging along the KAF runway has more to do with it than your theory (which also includes the wheels still being attached btw).
Madbob, apologies for being harsh. I rarely post on this forum, but people posting factually incorrect information and (whether intentionally or unintentionally) stating it as fact is a dangerous game and too often it ends up in the press.
Done.
5U
You did indeed squire.
Madbob,
Did you actually watch the video or are you trying to let everyone know how much Harrier knowledge you have?
My point:
At 6sec into the video, you will see that the main landing gear ceases to be attached to the airframe. At 10secs, the nose-wheel ceases to be. Hence your comment...:
"Easy to say after the event, but had he stop-cocked the engine after landing and not used power (against the braking stop) to slow down he might not have ended up ejecting. Runway length was sufficient to stop on wheel brakes alone....."
...is utter tripe. Sorry.
"The flames only appeared after he had selected nozzles to the "braking" stop."
Is this factually correct or your armchair opinion? Seems like the latter to me. Why/how did the flames appear then? On what basis do you make that comment?
Again, if you watch the video with maybe 1 eye open, I suspect the airframe, including fuel tanks, stores and a pod dragging along the KAF runway has more to do with it than your theory (which also includes the wheels still being attached btw).
Madbob, apologies for being harsh. I rarely post on this forum, but people posting factually incorrect information and (whether intentionally or unintentionally) stating it as fact is a dangerous game and too often it ends up in the press.
Done.
5U
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LM
Agree. I was wondering how Mabob's brakes worked when the wheels
were no longer attached !
I was also going to point out the landing gear separating
but then decided if he couldn't see the LG flying off, not
much hope.
Agree. I was wondering how Mabob's brakes worked when the wheels
were no longer attached !
I was also going to point out the landing gear separating
but then decided if he couldn't see the LG flying off, not
much hope.
It was test pilot George Aird and a Lightning F1. He ejected at an incredibly low altitude in Hatfield, Hertfordshire 13th September 1962.
He was on finals for an emergency landing at Hatfield, following a double reheat fire warning which occurred about 15 miles North East of Hatfield.
George was making a normal powered approach, unfortunately he had to position for runway 06 as the wind was from the northeast. His approach to Hatfield was from the NE. The runway was short by Service standards so the manually operated barrier had been erected at the northeast end of 06. At about 10 seconds from touchdown, at about 100 ft, the aircraft suddenly pitched nose up and, since there was no response to the controls, he ejected.
The aircraft crashed on the airfield, broke up and caught fire.
I have photos of the wreckage if you wish.
He was on finals for an emergency landing at Hatfield, following a double reheat fire warning which occurred about 15 miles North East of Hatfield.
George was making a normal powered approach, unfortunately he had to position for runway 06 as the wind was from the northeast. His approach to Hatfield was from the NE. The runway was short by Service standards so the manually operated barrier had been erected at the northeast end of 06. At about 10 seconds from touchdown, at about 100 ft, the aircraft suddenly pitched nose up and, since there was no response to the controls, he ejected.
The aircraft crashed on the airfield, broke up and caught fire.
I have photos of the wreckage if you wish.
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LM
Thanks
I know we have seen a few very low ejections over the last few years
but that was just a really interesting photo I hadn't seen explained
on PP before.
Hope he survived.
Thanks
I know we have seen a few very low ejections over the last few years
but that was just a really interesting photo I hadn't seen explained
on PP before.
Hope he survived.
Ejection
Was the chute FULLY inflated at the point of touchdown, looks to me like it was not quite full. As he had some airspeed at ejection this does not seem to bode well for a 0/0 ejection. Just curious!
Any news on the Scampton involuntary ejection ?
( MB. Ejectee no.447, Mk 4 seat, face blind hid any sight of pitch down but I do remember the tumbling before drogue chute deployment and the bloody sharp stop after the main chute deployed about a minute later!!)
Any news on the Scampton involuntary ejection ?
( MB. Ejectee no.447, Mk 4 seat, face blind hid any sight of pitch down but I do remember the tumbling before drogue chute deployment and the bloody sharp stop after the main chute deployed about a minute later!!)
Last edited by RetiredBA/BY; 4th Dec 2012 at 08:02.
Just.
George and the seat went through the roof of a greenhouse.
edit - what did you jump out of then?
Do you mean the red Hawk?
George and the seat went through the roof of a greenhouse.
edit - what did you jump out of then?
Any news on the Scampton involuntary ejection ?
Last edited by Lightning Mate; 4th Dec 2012 at 08:03.