Does He Get 2 Ties?

[Flyer517]

Pilot shot down twice

[BBadanov]

No.

F-15E does not have MB seats, but the ACES II.

[Stitchbitch]

Originally Posted by BBadanov

No.

F-15E does not have MB seats, but the ACES II.

No tie, but membership of the ‘Grasshopper Club’.

‘Grasshopper Club members are invited to speak at a ceremony where they are presented with a commemorative plaque, pin, patch and coin and the opportunity to share their story.’

[SpazSinbad]

Originally Posted by Stitchbitch

No tie, but membership of the ‘Grasshopper Club’.

‘Grasshopper Club members are invited to speak at a ceremony where they are presented with a commemorative plaque, pin, patch and coin and the opportunity to share their story.’

Not much info but perhaps a start: Grasshopper Club | Collins Aerospace

[Martin the Martian]

I wonder if somebody is trying to tell him something?

[Biggus]

F-15E is a two person aircraft.

Presumably it was a different backseater (WSO?) each time?

[isaneng]

With 2 ejections in quick succession, will there be likely medical implications - or is each one a separate event and assessed as such?

[Union Jack]

Originally Posted by SpazSinbad

Not much info but perhaps a start: Grasshopper Club | Collins Aerospace

You have to love their assertion that:

"To those who have done it, activating an ejection seat is very personal."

Jack

[Dan Gerous]

I'm sure I read somewhere ages ago that MB award an additional silver/gold Caterpillar pin to attach to a tie, after any subsequent ejections.

[Squipdit Fashions]

Originally Posted by Dan Gerous

I'm sure I read somewhere ages ago that MB award an additional silver/gold Caterpillar pin to attach to a tie, after any subsequent ejections.

Dan, you're confusing two different (but interlinked) clubs. The Martin Baker Tie is awarded to anyone successfully using a Martin Baker ejection seat; the Caterpillar Club pins are (and were) awarded to anyone who saved their life by unplanned use of an Irvin (later, Airborne Systems, now IrvinGQ) parachute, or similarly a Switlik or Pioneer parachute (the latter two companies run, or in the case of Pioneer - now dissolved - ran, their own separate clubs).

Of note, all Martin Baker seats (incl. the Mk 14 NACES, fitted to the F/A-18 & T-45 but not, in the context of this post, the Collins-manufactured and technically unconnected ACES II fitted to the F-15, F-16, A-10 etc.) used Irvin, or currently use IrvinGQ, parachutes so all members of the M-B Tie Club are theoretically also members of the Irvin/IrvinGQ Caterpillar Club.

Irvin (and associated Airborne Systems/Irvin GQ) Caterpillar Club pin brooches were all originally gold (later gold-anodized, and latterly gold-coloured metal) with red eyes (originally supposedly rubies, then garnets, later red glass and now red-enamelled); with the name of the recipient stamped on the rear. Some of the gold finishes do wear under heavy polishing, giving a silver appearance. Switlik pin brooches are white metal (so silver in colour), with silver raised 'Caterpillar Club' wording picked out by a background of black enamel.

The ACES II originally used the C-9 canopy and has latterly (from c.2017) utilised the GR7000 canopy; neither of which are manufactured by IrvinGQ. So whilst users of the ACES II are entitled to membership of the Grasshopper Club, they do not become members of the Martin Baker Tie Club or the Caterpillar Club.

[SpazSinbad]

LEUT 'Sandy' Sandberg was the Observer in an RAN FAA Sea Venom ejection at low level (by accounts out of the envelope for ejection) after hitting trees on a very windy night at NAS Nowra with circuit height at 400 feet (to simulate night carrier circuits). Pilot SBLT Brian Dutch ejected after Sandy had also jettisoned the canopy. Both OK. Both have the MB paraphernalia whilst Sandy still had his NAVY Aircrew issue watch which stopped at ejection time. Sandy's son has sent me Sandy's CATERPILLAR CLUB membership card & MB certificate for ejection No. 129 (also the first MB ejection at night in OZ).

[SpazSinbad]

IF anyone wonders why: The First R.A.N. Sea Venom Aircraft Ejection; Brian Dutch CMDR.(P). R.A.N. (Retd.) April 2017
“...In 1960 the Tactical thinking was that, to avoid giving away the position of the Aircraft carrier to enemy radar we flew the day circuit for landing at 200 feet above sea level. At night the circuit was flown at 400 feet. It was also normal practice at the airfield to fly the circuits at similar heights above the airfield datum height.... ...It is of particular note that by the time I got back from my Survivors Leave the circuit height had been raised to 1000 feet above ground level and trees were being cleared around the airfield!!...” https://www.faaaa.asn.au/wp-content/...No-2-Jun17.pdf

Sandy's account (there are several of both aircrew accounts in various RAN FAA publications):
https://www.faaaa.asn.au/wp-content/...-2-May02-1.pdf

[SpazSinbad]

Originally Posted by SpazSinbad

...Sandy's son has sent me Sandy's CATERPILLAR CLUB membership card & MB certificate for ejection No. 129 (also the first MB ejection at night in OZ).

I'm guessing this graphic is a Caterpillar Club badge sent with the certificate photo however not knowing the context or what this graphic (the badge) looked like in a poorly colourised photo, the whole thing was made greyscale. Reading the Caterpillar Club badge description I am guessing this is the badge (but again poorly colour enhanced by me). [EDIT] According to the AWM jpg my guess is not accurate, the AWM jpg is untouched by me.

SDF description above: "...Irvin (and associated Airborne Systems/Irvin GQ) Caterpillar Club pin brooches were all originally gold (later gold-anodized, and latterly gold-coloured metal) with red eyes (originally supposedly rubies, then garnets, later red glass and now red-enamelled); with the name of the recipient stamped on the rear. Some of the gold finishes do wear under heavy polishing, giving a silver appearance...."

The Australian War Memorial website has this photo: 4222522.JPG (640×355)