Tempest Typhoon- emergency landings

[Fatale]

Why was so dangerous emergency landings with Typhoons and Tempests, mainly to the sea? I read that only ~3 pilots survived sea ditch with Typhoon...

 

[claidemore]

I believe it was the huge radiator scoop in the front that caused all the problems.

Pilots manual recomended making every effort to bail out rather than ditch, and if ditching was absolutely nescessary to get speed as low as possible and touch down tail first.

You can download the pilots notes here:
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/other-mechanical-systems-tech/hawker-typhoon-pilot-notes-5567.html

 

[Fatale]

I heard that was danger of explosion or fire (on the sea??? hmmm). Problem with radiator was first what crossed my mind

 

[Thorlifter]

Kind of like belly landing a P-51 I'd imagine.

 

[k9kiwi]

Yes it was the scoop.

Also they had the floating properties of your average brick.