The Martin Baker M.B.2

[Graeme]

Messer's James Martin and Capt. Valentine H Baker were exceptionally talented and innovative men, producing a number of outstanding designs including the M.B.2. Just one of its many features was a protective turnover pylon that "automatically deployed in the event of a nose over" (to protect the pilot especially since the vertical stabiliser was of minimal size. In fact the original design had NO vertical stabiliser, instead a fish-like fin was to be incorporated at the end of the tail).

First flight of the M.B.2 was 3 August 1938.

I was wondering if any other aircraft of the period incorporated a similar device and if some of the engineers in the forum can explain what would have triggered the device, some sort of inertia brake? or mercury switch?

Thanks,
Graeme.

 

[Krabat42]

That's like the rollover bars on some convertibles. I wouldn't be surprised if there's an old sketch by Leonardo DaVinci.