 | Which fighters did pilots feel safest in for crash landing?| Aviation Discuss Which fighters did pilots feel safest in for crash landing? in the World War II - Aviation forums; I think I read that the scoop under the P-51 could make for a nasty crash-landing. Is that ... |
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05-16-2005, 12:51 AM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Redwood City
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| Which fighters did pilots feel safest in for crash landing?
I think I read that the scoop under the P-51 could make for a nasty crash-landing. Is that true?
Which fighters were safest for a pilot in a crash-landing sitiuation and which ones were the most dangerous and why? | 
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05-16-2005, 05:57 AM
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#2 | | Senior Member
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Country:  | Apparently the armoured cockpit of the Henschel Hs129 was good for crash landing
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05-16-2005, 09:13 AM
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#3 | | Senior Member
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| I don't think the Hs-129 was a fighter. | |
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05-16-2005, 09:27 AM
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#4 | | Your ad here. ;)
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Country:  | The P-47 had a "bonus" feature for crash landing. The duct work for the turbosupercharger ran along the underside of the fuselage and created a crumple zone that helped to protect the pilot's legs in the event of a wheels up landing. I had not heard about the scoop causing problems, but I could see where it might.
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05-16-2005, 09:35 AM
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05-16-2005, 10:05 AM
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#6 | | Senior Member
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Country: | The Hurricane because it had a low landing speed and was easily handled in almost any situation.
__________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004  To those in that club. | |
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05-16-2005, 10:16 AM
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#7 | | Master of Ewes
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Country: | and had a very strong structure......
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05-16-2005, 10:19 AM
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#8 | | Konfused with a 'K'
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Country:  | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Sal Monella I don't think the Hs-129 was a fighter. | No it wasnt, but damn that cockpit was armoured!
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05-16-2005, 10:19 AM
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#9 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
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Country: | Quote: |
Originally Posted by plan_D The Hurricane because it had a low landing speed and was easily handled in almost any situation. | I would also add that any aircraft with a "turtleback" provided that extra protection. Welded steel tube fuselage structure would also act as a "Roll Cage." Although a robust plane like a P-47 is desirable, the Hurricane would probably be my choice based on the these facts.
Photo from "The Hurricane Site."
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05-16-2005, 10:20 AM
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#10 | | Senior Member
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Country: | Here's a picture of a remarkable crash landing done in a Hurricane :
__________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club. | |
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05-16-2005, 10:22 AM
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#11 | | Master of Ewes
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,959
Country: | and it wouldn't suprise me one bit if she was restored to flying condition.....
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"Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy." | |
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05-16-2005, 10:22 AM
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#12 | | Your ad here. ;)
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Country: | Remarkably intact.
__________________ http://www.vg-photo.com Wherever their bones may lie, the courage of heroes is consecrated in the hearts and engraved in the history of the free. Lt Col Honner DSO MC, 39th Commander speaking of the dead from the battle of Kokoda. | |
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05-16-2005, 10:30 AM
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#13 | | IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA
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Country: | I think a lot of that strength can be attributed to the welded steel tube construction. there was a special on the history channel last night that showed the recovery of a Hurricane that sheared off the tail of a DO 17 that was heading toward Buckingham Palace during the height of the Battle of Britain. The pilot that knocked down the DO 17 also stated how strong the Hurricane was.
Just a side note: A Mooney (General Aviation aircraft for you folks who don't know bug smashers) has a welded cage around the cockpit. This aircraft is known as the most "crash survivable" GA aircraft, providing you don't fly straight into a mountain which many GA pilots tend to do!
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05-16-2005, 10:41 AM
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#14 | | Master of Ewes
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Country: | yes that event is very famous and remarkably it was caught on camera!!
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"Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy." | |
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05-16-2005, 10:42 AM
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#15 | | Konfused with a 'K'
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Country: | Yep. Coincedence? I dont think so... 
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