Don't scratch it in SAAB!

[ramzey]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/26/wallace_joins_the_swedish_airforce/

A Swedish pilot was flung out of his aircraft by a malfunctioning pair of hi-tech trousers, it has been revealed.

The incident, which took place last week, was reported in The Local yesterday. It seems the stick-jockey in question was a Swedish air force officer flying a Saab Gripen fighter.

Fighter pilots typically wear a "G-suit", also known as "speed jeans". This is a pair of special inflatable trousers which are automatically pumped up as G-forces build up in high-energy manoeuvres. The squeeze on the pilot's legs prevents all his blood draining into them, which helps in avoiding blackouts or tunnel vision.

In this case, however, it appears that the automated expando-pants tragically malfunctioned, triggering the luckless birdman's ejection seat and firing him violently out of the jet. The Gripen subsequently plunged to total destruction in a remote region, but the pilot parachuted to safety.

Swedish forces investigators said it was "very likely" that the deadly trousers were to blame for the incident.

"When subjected to large forces the suit fills with air. This is thought to have affected the ejector switch," said Mats Helgesson of the Swedish central command. There was no suggestion, sadly, of any involvement by sinister artificial intelligence tech, perhaps wishing to rid itself of old-school fleshy control and fly free like its prospective American flying-robot brethren. This was a purely trouser-based disaster.

The rogue apparel is apparently used in all Gripens of the C and D marks, and as a result these planes are forbidden from exceeding 3G until further notice. Older A and B model jets don't use the Wallace-&-Gromit-esque strides, and can still be flown without restriction.

I think its nice cover story for guy who have to scratch his testicles so badly

[TimRas]

Ah, SAAB 96, affectionally known as "kayak twin" was a very popular car in Finland. Was chosen as a best winter car back in the 80's...When the going get's tough, the Tough get's going...Now SAAB is part of the GM. I guess now they cannot design a affordable car that can run in real winter...

[Maverick]

A teacher at my old High School used to drive a Volvo very similar to those. He said it was a 3 cyclinder 2 stroke engine. I saw him having to mix oil a couple times when he fueled it up. It laid down a pretty good smoke screen in the winter. I have no idea what year vehicle it was, it was already an older car back in the late 60's early 70's.

Originally posted by TimRas
Ah, SAAB 96, affectionally known as "kayak twin" was a very popular car in Finland. Was chosen as a best winter car back in the 80's...When the going get's tough, the Tough get's going...Now SAAB is part of the GM. I guess now they cannot design a affordable car that can run in real winter...

[TimRas]

Originally posted by Maverick
A teacher at my old High School used to drive a Volvo very similar to those. He said it was a 3 cyclinder 2 stroke engine. I saw him having to mix oil a couple times when he fueled it up. It laid down a pretty good smoke screen in the winter. I have no idea what year vehicle it was, it was already an older car back in the late 60's early 70's.

Perhaps SAAB 92:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_92

SAAB and Volvo are different brands, both Swedish, both dependable, but SAAB begun with front wheel drive cars with 2-stroke engines, and Volvo had 4-stroke engines with rear wheel drive.

(sorry Ramzey for hijack..)

[Maverick]

DOH!!!!!! I had a senior moment there I was thinking Saab and typed Volvo.

The pix there in the link do look like the car I recall. It has been a while.