Was the Sea Hurricane a superior naval fighter than the F4F?

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

The ditching characteristics of Sea Hurricanes were so dangerous, there may not have been much of a point in carrying rafts.

 

[ThomasP]

FAA SeaHurricane, Seafire, Corsair, Hellcat, etc, pilots usually wore a Seat Pack (which held a Type 'K' one-man dinghy). As suggested by the name the Seat Pack took the place of the seat cushion (ie the pilot sat on the dinghy pack).

 

[Maxrobot1]

U.S. Aviators also had one-man raft and survival gear as part of the seat-pack parachute assembly. That brings up another question - Did the British have to alter or adapt their parachutes for American seats?

USAAF and NAF pilot survival gear

This incredible collection of WW2 USAAF and NAF pilot survival and bail out gear is on loan to my museum by former Forum member Dustin. It's about as complete a display as can be seen. There isn't much that he is missing, and I'm proud to be the caretaker of it for the time being.

www.usmilitariaforum.com

 

[ThomasP]

My understanding is that the USAAF adopted at least 2 versions of the RAF/FAA dinghy Seat Pack for their single-seat aircraft - designated the Pack, Raft, Pneumatic, Type C (or Type C-2) both of which were based on the RAF Type C Seat Pack.

 

[Reluctant Poster]

My understanding is that the USAAF adopted at least 2 versions of the RAF/FAA dinghy Seat Pack for their single-seat aircraft - designated the Pack, Raft, Pneumatic, Type C (or Type C-2) both of which were based on the RAF Type C Seat Pack.

This website shows a lot of examples of American pilots with RAF dinghys and shows the American copy of it. Americans fighter pilots seemed to have a preference for RAF googles helmets gloves boots and Mae Wests

 

[BiffF15]

This website shows a lot of examples of American pilots with RAF dinghys and shows the American copy of it. Americans fighter pilots seemed to have a preference for RAF googles helmets gloves boots and Mae Wests

They still have a preference for the RAF gloves.