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The only plane I flew in (as a passenger) over water was a Hunter and the Pilots notes regarding ditching might as well have said Don't do itThere is another thread here similar to this one and I posted several excerpts from Pilot's Notes which advised pilots/crews which was the safer option. Its in the back section of most Notes
HiI think there was something about the RAF harness, if you couldn't release it straight away the water tightened it all up, and of course, not many people could swim at the time.
Oh I wasnt saying others were better or the RAF one was particularly "bad". From pilots who baled out into the North Sea it was a common remark that the harness that released easily on land suddenly became difficult in the north sea and the sensation of it tightening up was also very common.Hi
Have you a source for that statement it sounds a bit odd.
The US 8th Air Force did have some problems generally with their parachutes as:
", ... in June 1943 the 8th Air Force Central Medical Establishment recommended that all bomber crews wear the RAF quick-release harness and Observer chest-pack parachuite until better types were forthcoming from the USA. The advantages were that the harness could be worn at all times and in one operation could be completely and quickly removed; both the parachute and dingy packs were quickly attached to it by simple snap hooks." ('The Mighty Eighth War Manual' by Roger A Freeman, page 248).
On the same page it mentions that the British K type one man dingy was used in the 'C type pack' by all VIII FC fighters, a US model only became available early in 1945.
It is known that some Coastal Command crews did not bother with parachutes due to their missions being at low level (eg Strike Wings) and they would never be high enough to use them. If hit badly their aircraft would 'alight' on the sea quite quickly so a parachute would just be a useless encumbrance to any 'escape'.
Mike
But having seen the footage of the Shoreham air crash and seen the outcome of the Hudson river miracle anything is possible.The only plane I flew in (as a passenger) over water was a Hunter and the Pilots notes regarding ditching might as well have said Don't do it
Exact Words Model tests of a clean aircraft indicate that a ditching in any but ideal conditions would be very hazardous.
I recall my Uncle (USN submariner, PTO) mentioning that they rescued more pilots/crew that ditched than they did parachuting.
It seems that quite a few drowned because of the parachute - I never heard why. Perhaps being in the water made it more cumbersome to get out of the harness?
if a parachute gets rapped around you it can pull you under and drown you with ease cause it creates a kind of under water sailI recall my Uncle (USN submariner, PTO) mentioning that they rescued more pilots/crew that ditched than they did parachuting.
It seems that quite a few drowned because of the parachute - I never heard why. Perhaps being in the water made it more cumbersome to get out of the harness
If your head goes under the water and there is a silk parachute on the surface I think it will suffocate you and cling to any part of you that breaks the surface of the water.if a parachute gets rapped around you it can pull you under and drown you with ease cause it creates a kind of under water sail
One of the turret side panels would quickly release for emergency egress. "In case of crash landing or ditching, or for quick exit in some other emergency, PUSH the handle at the gunner's right side AFT and push the circular hatch OUTBOARD.I wonder how many TBF/TBM gunners made it out of the turret, either bailing out or ditching?
As others have mentioned, it would depend on the circumstances, which could vary greatly. Navy fliers were trained for emergencies such as ditching or parachuting, although they did not make live practice parachute jumps. Part of pilot training included time in the "Dilbert Dunker" to practice escaping from a plane upside down in water. Torpedo bomber crews, for example, would have practiced escaping from their ditched aircraft and deploying the plane's raft. All would be instructed how to make a safe water landing by releasing the chest and leg straps of the harness when descending over water and jumping from the harness about 10 feet above the surface to avoid entanglement with the canopy. If worn, the pararaft and survival kit backpad were attached to the flier, not to his parachute harness.I have this question: Navy pilots of world war ll in the Pacific when something went wrong with their airplane did these pilots generally ditch with their planes or did they parachute out?
Very true. it should be noted that the original question was about Navy pilots in the Pacific, so all of the carrier aircraft they would have been flying were single engine radials with mid, or low wing configuration and all of them had pretty "good ditching characteristics". They could also lower their tail hook, even with the wheels up, to help them better judge the last few feet above the ocean's surface when ditching, something a plane designed to be purely land based could not do. Anecdotal evidence also indicated the Avenger may have typically remained afloat a bit longer than the other types after ditching, as seen below.The P-51 manual says that ditching should only be done as a last resort, only to be done if you don't have sufficient height to parachute out. The Spitfire gives the same advice because of its poor ditching characteristics, the Avenger manual says it has good ditching characteristics. At the end of the day it depends on the type of aircraft, but some times circumstances don't leave you with choices.
Great shots! The first picture clearly shows the escape hatch that Joe Broady mentioned. They must have ditched right beside a ship to get such clear shots. Do you know how these pictures were taken?Very true. it should be noted that the original question was about Navy pilots in the Pacific, so all of the carrier aircraft they would have been flying were single engine radials with mid, or low wing configuration and all of them had pretty "good ditching characteristics". They could also lower their tail hook, even with the wheels up, to help them better judge the last few feet above the ocean's surface when ditching, something a plane designed to be purely land based could not do. Anecdotal evidence also indicated the Avenger may have typically remained afloat a bit longer than the other types after ditching, as seen below.
View attachment 632859View attachment 632860
Yes, they made water landings after their unsuccessful launches and were photographed from the carrier deck as it went by.Great shots! The first picture clearly shows the escape hatch that Joe Broady mentioned. They must have ditched right beside a ship to get such clear shots. Do you know how these pictures were taken?
Below is a chart from a TBM (General Motors built) Avenger manual, showing the exits for ditching or bailing out. Both the turret gunner and radioman were equipped with type QAC (quick attachable chest) parachutes. The harness was worn and the parachute pack, that clipped onto the chest, was stowed next to the emergency exit door.I wonder how many TBF/TBM gunners made it out of the turret, either bailing out or ditching? Having to climb out of that thing, strap on a parachute and exit out the back door must have been an ordeal - especially on a glide bombing run, where there wouldn't be much time.