Evening star., 1950-04-03
Poruchute-Bout Used
At Supersonic Speed
Detachable Cockpit Insulated
And Pressurized for Escupe
By Thomos R. Henry

paracnute-ooat Tor escape from
high-altitude planes moving at super
sonic speeds has been developed by the
Navy.
After more than two years of work by
scientists Of the Navy Bureau Of Aero
nautics preliminary tests indicate that
this vehicle is entirely practical and
flight tests will be carried out in few
months at the Navy's ordnance test sta
ton at Inyokern. Calf.
It Is q detachable cockpit built in the
shape Of a pea pod. 1t is completely en-
closed, pressurized and insulated A pilot
using 1t to get free Of his craft will be
dropped safely from a very high altitude
where the thin atmosphere and extreme
cold kill very quickly.
This capsule cockpit is blown from the
plane when the pilot pulls release lever,
Three stabilizing finS prevent the device
from tumbling and large. automatically
opening parachute drops It to earth.
In fight the capsule is clamped to the
fuselage. 1t carries all normal cockpi'
instruments and controls. When tn
lever is pulled q jet-assistance propul
sion unit-of the same type attached &c
planes to get greater take-of power
builds up enough pressure to release tbs
clamps holding the capsule. disconnec'
all electrical wiring and mechanical
lipkages. extend the tail fms. and throw
the chamber free Of the plane.
Capsule Also Floated Down.
It is shot forward in level fight. As
the forward speed decreases. the stabi-
lizing fms become less effective. Then
a small parachute is automatically re
leased. This. in turn. releases a large
parachute which carries the capsule
safely to earth.
In case the main parachute doesn't
work. the pilot can slide open an over
head canopy. jump out. and pull the cord
Of his own parachute.
When the cockpit capsule lands at sea
the main parachute is automatically
thrown off and an automatic device ST.
multaneously lowers the planes sealed
battery into the water. The battery acts
as a stabiliZer by lowering the capsules
center of gravity and also permits the
pilot to use his radio to direct rescue
operations. Survival gear and emergency
rations are provided for landings In un-
inhabited and dangerous areas.
The cockpit floats on water and thus
over the ocean. Pilots of low-flying
planes who are forced to crash-land at
sea can separate the unit from the rest
of the fuSelage and float away while
the plane itself sinks.
The flying banana" soon will be in
troduced into air rescue operations.
1t is curiously shaped helicopter with
a combination of wheels, floats and skis
n re Ia &c IN
anywhere on earth - snow. Ice, water,
tundra. marsh or land.
Flying Banana" for Rescues.
One Of these craft has been ordered
for the Air Force and will be tested as
soon as possible
A hydraulically operated swivel hoist
installed at the rear Of the pilots COM
partment allows as many as twelve litter
patients to be swung into the cabin
through large sliding door on the right
side of the fuselage. There are seats for
two medical attendants.
This helicopter looks like an enormous
banana in flight. It has two 44-foot
three -bladed rotors, one mounted at each
end OF the fuselage. The arrangement.
with its large center of gravity range.
reduces loading and balancing problems
which exist in single-rotor helicopters.
The entire craft is 81 feet long and
is feet high. Its cabin is 20 feet long
and 5 feet. 6 inches high and wide, per-
mitting q reasonable amount of elbow
room for the medical attendants.
The flying banana has been designed
primarily for Arctic use. It's "omniphi-
bious" landing gear, however, will enable
it to be used for rescues from the open
vefzN "
jungle.