BF 109 canopy and bailing out

[JG26_EZ]

A buddy's dad flew with the allies (P40's I think) back in the war, not in a 109, but I imagine alot of pilots in different planes doing the same thing...
He said that when ejecting, they'd roll over and use a foot on the stick to cause the plane to dip (upside down) and give them the final "kick" out of the plane they needed. Of course I'm sure every scenario is not the same.

[NZtyphoon]

Just to clarify; when the 109 canopy was jettisoned the main canopy was unlocked and flew off, as did the fixed aft portion and radio mast. This photo of Von Werra's 109E shows how the entire cockpit area was opened up (although Von Werra belly landed without releasing the canopy.)



Slightly OT: One of the biggest problems with the Spitfire canopy through most of the B of B is that it could not be jettisoned and had to be slid back by the pilot: if the canopy rails had been bent or damaged the canopy could jam in position

[JG26_EZ]

Originally Posted by NZtyphoon

Just to clarify; when the 109 canopy was jettisoned the main canopy was unlocked and flew off, as did the fixed aft portion and radio mast. This photo of Von Werra's 109E shows how the entire cockpit area was opened up (although Von Werra belly landed without releasing the canopy.)

Never mind the picture on the left, but the one on the right is his plane before it was scalped.


The pic on the left is one of Cpt Farrel's skins.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by JG26_EZ

A buddy's dad flew with the allies (P40's I think) back in the war, not in a 109, but I imagine alot of pilots in different planes doing the same thing...
He said that when ejecting, they'd roll over and use a foot on the stick to cause the plane to dip (upside down) and give them the final "kick" out of the plane they needed. Of course I'm sure every scenario is not the same.

The P-40 also had a very nasty trait where upon release the front part of the canopy would lift and the trailing edge of the canopy would spin forward just where the pilots head would be. (not mentioned in the pilot notes at the time.) If I remember rightly early in the war one of the leading Australia aces in the Western Desert was knocked senseless when he jettisoned the canopy. Luckly he came around with 'just' enough time to be able to bail out safely and report the issue. Leaning forward as you poped the canopy became SOP.