Author Topic: Myth or truth?  (Read 1186 times)

Offline MiloMorai

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Myth or truth?
« on: September 09, 2005, 11:53:49 AM »
It is said that the pilot of the Do335 would loose his arms during ejection.

I find this hard to believe since, at least from the V3 onwards, the handles were attached to the fuselage, not the canopy.

Offline SKurj

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« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2005, 04:07:53 PM »
Soooo... if handles were attached to the fuselage... doesn't that mean the pilot ejects leaving the handles behind.... (and arms?)  Though I would have thought a system that rendered pilots useless would have never entered service...  

What good is a combat pilot with no arms... may as well nix the ejection system and the chute

Offline Furball

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« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2005, 04:14:51 PM »
yeah!! and then if the pesky pilot has escaped, we should place a jet engine air intake infront of him to make sure we kill the bastige!!

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Offline Squire

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« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2005, 05:35:42 PM »
Well, you would die from loss of blood and shock, so why bother with an ejection seat?

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Offline MiloMorai

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« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2005, 11:07:20 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by SKurj
Soooo... if handles were attached to the fuselage... doesn't that mean the pilot ejects leaving the handles behind.... (and arms?)  Though I would have thought a system that rendered pilots useless would have never entered service...  

What good is a combat pilot with no arms... may as well nix the ejection system and the chute


The pilot still had to 'pull the switch' for the ejection seat to operate (ie ejection) after releasing the canopy. The canopy release handles did not operate the ejection seat.

Offline Horrido!

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« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2005, 06:44:09 AM »
Even when ejecting at Mach 2 you won't lose your arms and legs. You will break them though.

Offline Furball

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« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2005, 11:56:55 AM »
horrido, i think they lost them by having their rocket seat operate while the pilot still had his hands around the handles attached to the aircraft.

rocket seat and pilot go up, arms still attached to the airplane...
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Offline Angus

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« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2005, 12:48:59 PM »
Your grip is not strong eneough to break, say alone cut off the arm.
Or???
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Offline Overlag

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« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2005, 06:55:32 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Angus
Your grip is not strong eneough to break, say alone cut off the arm.
Or???


it would probably rip your arms out your sockets....i wouldnt recomend trying.....
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Offline lasersailor184

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« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2005, 09:28:09 PM »
But your arms have no momentum and the seat kicks up quick.  

While it wouldn't be a full tear, I'd say a half tear would be doable.
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Offline AmRaaM

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« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2005, 08:34:43 AM »
never would happen,

All pilots trained for this a/c had special bionic arms attatched that would also eject with the handles.

Occasionally brave pilots would eject on arm at the bomber streams in order to break up the formations, and then attack with their one intact arm. Results of this tactic were mixed.

Offline Wilbus

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« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2005, 04:29:54 PM »
I find it very unlikely Milo, never heard it before either actually so by guessing I'd say it is a Myth.

Do you have a source for this or only something you heard? Would be interesting to see it if there is a source and maybe find out where it is from.
Rasmus "Wilbus" Mattsson

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Offline Grendel

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« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2005, 05:02:00 PM »
I've seen that claim appear in books and publications. I don't have any Do335 specific books though so I can't check for closer details.

Offline MiloMorai

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« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2005, 05:03:58 PM »
Sorry can't give a specific source, but I see the claim be stated many times on other forums.

Offline Wilbus

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« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2005, 05:12:55 PM »
Rgr That, I know there is a Do335 specific book in a nearby bookstore, or atleast they had it. I will be able to order it once I get my finances straightened out (ok if I find a Job).

I do find it unlikely though that any pilot would be willing to fly the plane if they would lose their arms in case of bailing out. And I find it unlikely that they would spend the time on putting such a feuture in a plane when it made the pilot lose his arms.
Rasmus "Wilbus" Mattsson

Liberating Livestock since 1998, recently returned from a 5 year Sheep-care training camp.