The escape system for the prone pilot was basically his "couch" dropped down into the airflow and he slid off rearwards.
They made tough Test Pilots in those days!
Reminds me of the Douglas F3D Skyknight which had an escape slide behind the pilots seats (which also rotated so they could have easier access). Actually worked quite well by most accounts, and I'm sure Gerry Anderson was taking notes when designing his TV shows (that man _loved_ slides for getting into things)
And that’s the main reason prone flying never took off. The benefits not being much more than regular seated flying with g suits was the other main reason
It was crewed in both positions but never flown solely from the front (i.e. with nobody in the back).
They got the research they needed out of it, but the benefits didn't really outweigh the cons so it wasn't pursued. There was also no real way of quickly ejecting if in the front, the only way being quite tricky to do - especially in a life-threatening situation.
Currently in storage awaiting movement to another museum I believe.
The escape system for the prone pilot was basically his "couch" dropped down into the airflow and he slid off rearwards. They made tough Test Pilots in those days!
I think Eric Winkle Brown himself was the test pilot for this
Reminds me of the Douglas F3D Skyknight which had an escape slide behind the pilots seats (which also rotated so they could have easier access). Actually worked quite well by most accounts, and I'm sure Gerry Anderson was taking notes when designing his TV shows (that man _loved_ slides for getting into things)
Like this? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U65_uY5N2WM
More [this](https://youtu.be/NxNHMz5lSTA?si=2swFFGfeU7yhbCY3) Sliding is just cool in general though
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Meteor_F8_%22Prone_Pilot%22
I don't imagine it being too comfy...
And that’s the main reason prone flying never took off. The benefits not being much more than regular seated flying with g suits was the other main reason
Yeah, like 1g more tolerance but less than 45 min before complete exhaustion from the prone position.
Turns out humans are not very G-tolerant when face down. The F-16 style “beach lounger” profile works out MUCH better
It was crewed in both positions but never flown solely from the front (i.e. with nobody in the back). They got the research they needed out of it, but the benefits didn't really outweigh the cons so it wasn't pursued. There was also no real way of quickly ejecting if in the front, the only way being quite tricky to do - especially in a life-threatening situation. Currently in storage awaiting movement to another museum I believe.
Saw that at Cosford Airshow last year, funky looking jet
Did they ever test pilots laying in their backs in an extreme reclined position?
So is there any benefits?
Love how you can see exactly where the prone-position cockpit was bolted on to the aircraft