Which fighters did pilots feel safest in for crash landing?

[the lancaster kicks ass]

actually it was........

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by the lancaster kicks ass

actually it was........

There was no way that could of been staged!

[cheddar cheese]

I know.

Surely twin engined planes would be effective in crash landings?

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by cheddar cheese

I know.

Surely twin engined planes would be effective in crash landings?

Not all the time. When engines fail on multi engine aircraft, its a real pain to get the thing to fly straight and to get the aircraft trimmed. This could really be a bummer when you're trying to crash

[the lancaster kicks ass]

no more effective than single engine types for example, as the engines are wither side of you and in most cases the same height as you, they will offer no protection from the ground, you in your cockpit will still hit the ground, had, atleast in a single engine you've got your wing and sometimes undercarriage under the cockpit and so you get more protection in your cockpit...........

[cheddar cheese]

Hehe, trying to crash, that sounds weird

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by cheddar cheese

Hehe, trying to crash, that sounds weird

I know people who attempt this daily, unknowingly mind you, but if you saw them fly you would agree!

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well there'll come a point when you realise you can't make it, and so you try your hardest to make a decent crash..................

[cheddar cheese]

Or just bail out and leave the plane to crash itself

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by the lancaster kicks ass

well there'll come a point when you realise you can't make it, and so you try your hardest to make a decent crash..................

Unfortunately Lanc, most pilots don't realize this until the earth's surface is about a foot away from their face!

[plan_D]

If you're in a position where your aircraft isn't going to make it home but you still have control, the best option is to crash land [not nowadays though]. You have more say on where you will land and will probably be more intact after you hit the ground.

Jumping out, especially over home terrority, may send your plane crashing on to someones house. Also, at low level you have no chance of jumping out unless you are going fast and pull the stick back, exchanging speed for height, then flip it on it's back and fall out.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

the height at which you eject is no longer a problem in modern aircraft however..........

[DAVIDICUS]

From the Pilot Training Manual for the P-47N Thunderbolt:

The plane has a built-in skid for belly landings. You are safer with your wheels up and nine times out of ten the damage is less.

When making a forced landing, keep your speed up even though the terrain is rough or wooded. An N, which is built like a bulldozer, will plough right through. If your safety belt and shoulder harness are secure you'll be all right.

[FLYBOYJ]

I could tell you that when I flew in F-4s and T-33s with hot seats, it was always understood that in the event of an emergency, we were staying with the plane for as long as we can and attempt a forced landing if possible (we were flying these things in the middle of a dessert, somewhat comforting). The L-29s I get to fly in on occasion has deactivated ejection seats. We do use parachutes when performing aerobatics but again, unless I see a wing departing from the airframe, jumping from the aircraft is the last thing I want to do, especially with a "T" tail aircraft.

[FLYBOYJ]

Originally Posted by DAVIDICUS

From the Pilot Training Manual for the P-47N Thunderbolt:

An N, which is built like a bulldozer, will plough right through. If your safety belt and shoulder harness are secure you'll be all right.[/i]

I'd say that was an understatement!