Interesting escape concepts.

[Temistocle]

... and after the dummy, the man:



There is a nice Convair video about the development of the escape system, from small models launched from a catapult to test in a wind tunnel to the rocket sledge seen in the previous post:

F 2578 Convair Supersonic Escape System Proposal F-106 Delta Dagger, Ejection Seat

 

[southwestforests]

and after the dummy, the man

That sounds like it could mean something profound.

 

[Michel Van]

the Original F-104 ejection system

https://twitter.com/x/status/1865428942968017297

View: https://twitter.com/timfarmer/status/1865428942968017297

 

[riggerrob]

the Original F-104 ejection system

https://twitter.com/x/status/1865428942968017297

View: https://twitter.com/timfarmer/status/1865428942968017297

Those downward-ejecting seats were originally developed for the high-altitude strategic bombers (e.g. B-47) flown by the USAF's Strategic Air Command. Back then, ejection seats were too crude for modern zero-zero conditions.

Even though they were soon converted to upward-ejecting seats, RCAF CF-104s retained the belly hatch until we shipped them to Turkey (circa 1985).

 

[Arjen]

Posted before in the Napier Rocket Engines thread:

In 'Lockheed's Skunk Works', Jay Miller writes downward ejection was chosen because
- it promised lower escape g's
- better instrument panel position
- easier clearing the various sharp edges of the F-104's T-tail on ejection
- better tie-in of the lower escape hatch with the seat than was possible with ejectable canopies

As it turned out, these considerations were outweighed by the inconvenient aspects of downward ejection at low altitude, not to mention the undesirable consequences of downward ejection with the F-104 still on the runway.

 

[publiusr]

Studies of F-106 Escape sytems, from San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives:

View attachment 750135

Salvador Dali--fighter ace

 

[riggerrob]

... and after the dummy, the man:

View attachment 750153View attachment 750154View attachment 750155View attachment 750156View attachment 750157View attachment 750158View attachment 750159View attachment 750160

There is a nice Convair video about the development of the escape system, from small models launched from a catapult to test in a wind tunnel to the rocket sledge seen in the previous post:

F 2578 Convair Supersonic Escape System Proposal F-106 Delta Dagger, Ejection Seat

When testing new parachute designs, we like to do the heavy-weight and high-speed drop test first to confirm that it will hold together structurally. Later we do manned drop-tests confirm steerability and other minor characteristics.
My experience comes mainly from assisting during testing of Rigging Innovations' P-124A/Aviator pilot emergency parachute system. Late in the process I did 6 live jumps and wrote the manual. We applied for approval under FAA Technical Standard Order C-23E or was it F??? That was almost 30 years ago