fubar57
General
While looking for something else I came across these photos and commentary...
The test pilots and operational evaluation squadron demanded these
due to the problem of ejecting the canopy due to slipstream suction
retaining the canopy. Weight of the pneumatic seat and its
maintenance issues seems to have been the argument for not installing
them and explosive ejection charges were supplied instead.
Ejection seats were standard on all German test aircraft where
possible. They became standard on the Heinkel He 219 combat aircraft
and on the Do 335 and about 50 succesful operational ejections were
made. The feature of these aircraft is that the propellers could be a
problem for egressing crew. Some Heinkel He 177 apparently had them
for certain crew positions as well.
The little He 162 jet fighter received a lightweight explosive
ejection seat. Heinkel remained in charge of ejection seat
development in Germany. The rocket sled rail Heinkel built was taken
to the united states as a war booty and used to further develop
ejection technology there.
Studies conducted in the 1940s showed that at least half the pilots
that were conscious and attempted to bailout were unable to do so.
This and the need to allow crew escape from dive bombers motivated
their development.
It would seem that the ejection seat could have reduced pilot
attrition by around 25%, perhaps as much as 50% when accidents (ie
running out of fuel at night, bad weather disorientation etc) are
taken into account.
Given the Luftwaffe's acute pilot shortage, especially of experinenced
pilots it is interesting to ponder the effect. The most dangerous
missions for a pilots are his first few, so ejection seat would allow
more to get over that particularly hurdle.
Geo
The test pilots and operational evaluation squadron demanded these
due to the problem of ejecting the canopy due to slipstream suction
retaining the canopy. Weight of the pneumatic seat and its
maintenance issues seems to have been the argument for not installing
them and explosive ejection charges were supplied instead.
Ejection seats were standard on all German test aircraft where
possible. They became standard on the Heinkel He 219 combat aircraft
and on the Do 335 and about 50 succesful operational ejections were
made. The feature of these aircraft is that the propellers could be a
problem for egressing crew. Some Heinkel He 177 apparently had them
for certain crew positions as well.
The little He 162 jet fighter received a lightweight explosive
ejection seat. Heinkel remained in charge of ejection seat
development in Germany. The rocket sled rail Heinkel built was taken
to the united states as a war booty and used to further develop
ejection technology there.
Studies conducted in the 1940s showed that at least half the pilots
that were conscious and attempted to bailout were unable to do so.
This and the need to allow crew escape from dive bombers motivated
their development.
It would seem that the ejection seat could have reduced pilot
attrition by around 25%, perhaps as much as 50% when accidents (ie
running out of fuel at night, bad weather disorientation etc) are
taken into account.
Given the Luftwaffe's acute pilot shortage, especially of experinenced
pilots it is interesting to ponder the effect. The most dangerous
missions for a pilots are his first few, so ejection seat would allow
more to get over that particularly hurdle.
Geo
