60 Sqn Lightning F6 VGA

[NARSES2]

True. I'd always be worried the canopy didn't jettison or the breakers/explosive didn't work 

[Old Wombat]

True. I'd always be worried the canopy didn't jettison or the breakers/explosive didn't work 

Which is why most (all?) bang-seats are designed with the overhead projection.

The activation handles in the overhead position are the prefered actuators for the seat & used to (still do?) pull down a shroud or blind, which was to protect the face, while the projection above the seat was to smash through the canopy if it didn't jettison. Not sure how your legs would fare but you'd still be alive as you left the aircraft, which is the aim of the game.

[PR19_Kit]

I once got to sit in the front seat of a 617 Sqdn. Tornado GR4, thanks to 'friends in the right places'. 

Quite how a pilot my height would bang out of one I have no idea as my knees were underneath the instrument panel, and if I'd have had to eject it would haven taken my kneecaps off! 

Perhaps there's a height limit for Tonka pilots?

[Gondor]

True. I'd always be worried the canopy didn't jettison or the breakers/explosive didn't work 

Which is why most (all?) bang-seats are designed with the overhead projection.

The activation handles in the overhead position are the prefered actuators for the seat & used to (still do?) pull down a shroud or blind, which was to protect the face, while the projection above the seat was to smash through the canopy if it didn't jettison. Not sure how your legs would fare but you'd still be alive as you left the aircraft, which is the aim of the game.

The modern ejector seats are designed with only the spade grip between the legs or a handle at the side of the seat as they found that in some situations the occupant of the seat was unable to lift his arms to any height, probably do to G forces while the aircraft is outside normal flight parameters 

Gondor

[NARSES2]

I've always been surprised, although I shouldn't have been, by how many pilots who eject are subsequently declared unfit to fly again.

Quite how a pilot my height would bang out of one I have no idea as my knees were underneath the instrument panel, and if I'd have had to eject it would haven taken my kneecaps off! 

Ah that's why pilot selection now starts off with measuring you. I remember that old BBC documentary series about selecting and training fighter pilots. The first thing they did with the applicants at the then Biggin Hill selection centre was seat them in an old tin bath tub. If they didn't fit, unlucky.

The only guy who passed out as an actual pilot (C.130's) from that intake had been a milkman  The Sword of Honour winner ended up a navigator.  Why do I remember these details ? 

[PR19_Kit]

Ah that's why pilot selection now starts off with measuring you. I remember that old BBC documentary series about selecting and training fighter pilots. The first thing they did with the applicants at the then Biggin Hill selection centre was seat them in an old tin bath tub. If they didn't fit, unlucky.

I went through that three times, twice at Hornchurch and once more at Biggin, but I was trying for an Engineering Commission. Most of the others on the entry were trying for aircrew but I don't remember a tin bath being involved then.

My three attempts were in the late 50s and early 60s, so perhaps things changed afterward.

I passed all three times, but failed the medical all three times too. Bloody asthma. 

[Old Wombat]

Young lad I knew was about 6' 6" & applied to the RAAF to be a pilot. He was told the only combat aircraft he could fly was the F-111, as he was 6" too tall for the Mirages (the fighters of the day) unless he didn't mind losing his legs from the knee down if he had to eject.

The RAN's A-4 Skyhawks seem like they must have been more roomy, as there were several pilots in my 6' 2¹/₂" height range.

[Gondor]

An update!!

Two pictures to show that I am getting on with this build 





At this rate it will be ready for the Glasgow show which has probably just given this build the kiss of death but at least it looks as if it should be finished by then. Nissan Silver out of a rattle can for the rest of the fuselage at the weekend I think as its the only time I will have time to do anything along that line.

Gondor

[Martin H]

At this rate it will be ready for the Glasgow show which has probably just given this build the kiss of death

Maybe not the kiss of death. You didnt state what year..................................

[Gondor]

At this rate it will be ready for the Glasgow show which has probably just given this build the kiss of death

Maybe not the kiss of death. You didnt state what year..................................

Good point. I hadn't realised that I omitted the year, force of habit not adding the year as my builds tend to be measured in decades rather than years.

Gondor

[The Wooksta!]

Nissan Silver is too grainy for 72nd.  Go with Halfords Gloss Aluminium instead.  Switched to that for NMF finishes and it's far, far superior.

[Gondor]

Got myself a tin of the Halfords Aluminium today but looking at the black I have painted I have decided that needs another coat first so the main paintwork will be delayed a few days.

Gondor

[Weaver]

Got myself a tin of the Halfords Aluminium today but looking at the black I have painted I have decided that needs another coat first so the main paintwork will be delayed a few days.

Gondor

Test it on something else first to see if you like the finish. Some car metallics are far too 'sparkly' for scale model use.

[Gondor]

Got myself a tin of the Halfords Aluminium today but looking at the black I have painted I have decided that needs another coat first so the main paintwork will be delayed a few days.

Gondor

Test it on something else first to see if you like the finish. Some car metallics are far too 'sparkly' for scale model use.

Sounds like a good idea. I will use the wings that came with the kit to try the paint on.

Gondor

[Gondor]

Just gave the undersides of the original wings a blast of Halfords Aluminium. I think it looks great 



Gondor