Womb Syndrome ?
I was once standing on the edge of the open tail of an Argosy taking photos of the FEAF free fall para team as they exited. My instructions were to lean out as far as possible to get good shots as they fell away. I was firmly attached with a strop, but nevertheless I was scared sh**less and I remember thinking at the time if I had had a parachute I'd much rather have jumped than continue standing in that terrifying position.
Past success with or without recognition. Success in bringing back a disabled aircraft with very marginal control is an event that induces a sense of pride. This self-appreciation is transmitted into a high level of confidence if the performance also gets recognition in the form of appreciation or commendation. Whenever the next occasion arises, such a pilot may again be likely to do ‘his best’ and may delay ejection till it is too late.
It was an incredible act of bravery that saw a wartime pilot save his stricken plane and crew by climbing onto the wing to put out a fire at 10,000ft.
Co-pilot Sergeant James Ward defied death and a 100mph slipstream by crawling out along the wing with nothing but a length of rope tied around his waist for security.
Co-pilot Sergeant James Ward defied death and a 100mph slipstream by crawling out along the wing with nothing but a length of rope tied around his waist for security.
I can think of only one delayed ejection, the pilot was still trying to fly the aircraft despite the nav insistence it was going to crash (it did). Eventually at very low level they got out. Don't think it was womb syndrome though..on the other hand all my pilots/Navs who ejected did so asap.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I recall the sad loss of Pete Thompson at Tengah. I have a fairly clear recollection of the event, which impacted on me quite strongly as I'd been socialising with Pete and others the evening before.
https://books.google.je/books?id=CVW...ection&f=false
To add a bit more flesh to that outline, he was newly-arrived at Tengah, and it was his first trip in the F.6 there [after a couple of T.5 sorties], with his sqn ldr flt cdr flying as No. 2. He was downwind when the fire light came on, so the temptation to carry on and land must have been strong. Likewise, it being the first trip on a 74 Sqn F.6, it would also tempt him not to discard the aircraft Despite his flt cdr telling him to eject, he pressed on. The aircraft suddenly pitched up and fell out of the sky, and it was suddenly too late and too low ...
... and that eventually led to the discovery that the elevator control rods would burn through if there was a reheat bay fire [where, IIRC, there was no fire extinguisher capability].
A very sad day.
https://books.google.je/books?id=CVW...ection&f=false
To add a bit more flesh to that outline, he was newly-arrived at Tengah, and it was his first trip in the F.6 there [after a couple of T.5 sorties], with his sqn ldr flt cdr flying as No. 2. He was downwind when the fire light came on, so the temptation to carry on and land must have been strong. Likewise, it being the first trip on a 74 Sqn F.6, it would also tempt him not to discard the aircraft Despite his flt cdr telling him to eject, he pressed on. The aircraft suddenly pitched up and fell out of the sky, and it was suddenly too late and too low ...
... and that eventually led to the discovery that the elevator control rods would burn through if there was a reheat bay fire [where, IIRC, there was no fire extinguisher capability].
A very sad day.
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I too recall this tragic event. Pete, a great friend, would have survived as he rode up the rails as the Lightning hit the ground but died through asphyxiation caused by drowning in the swamp
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Sorry for the loss of your friend.
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Sounds a bit like when Rob Woods banged Pablo Mason out of their soon to crash GR1 at Laarbruch in 91.
