Cool History Stuff
- Thread starter Rico
- Start date
Reyal (more or less) with the emphasis on the 'al'
Will let you know once Ive had time to get further into it.
Ray-al or ree-al?
Ray-al
Then we will have a fight.
Gloster Meteor F8 "Prone Pilot"
The 'prone position' Meteor F8, a significantly modified fighter jet, embarked on a unique mission in the early 1950s to explore the benefits of piloting in a lying down posture, aiming to mitigate the effects of gravity. This innovative approach was initially seen as promising for two main reasons: it could potentially reduce the aircraft's frontal area and drag, and it was believed that pilots could better withstand high g-forces in a non-upright position—a crucial factor as jet combat speeds escalated.
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, recognizing these potential advantages, proposed incorporating a prone pilot position into its design for a rocket-powered fighter, the Bristol Type 178. To test the viability of this concept, the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine required a jet that could be operated by a pilot lying prone. Thus, Meteor F8 WK935 was modified for this purpose and began testing with the Institute in late 1954.
After fifty-five hours of flight tests, the conclusion was that while flying in a prone position was technically feasible, it was practical only if aerodynamic necessities demanded it. The aircraft was never flown solo from the front cockpit. Ultimately, advancements in aviation suits that could counteract g-forces presented a simpler solution, leading to the abandonment of the prone position cockpit concept.
The 'prone position' Meteor F8, a significantly modified fighter jet, embarked on a unique mission in the early 1950s to explore the benefits of piloting in a lying down posture, aiming to mitigate the effects of gravity. This innovative approach was initially seen as promising for two main reasons: it could potentially reduce the aircraft's frontal area and drag, and it was believed that pilots could better withstand high g-forces in a non-upright position—a crucial factor as jet combat speeds escalated.
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, recognizing these potential advantages, proposed incorporating a prone pilot position into its design for a rocket-powered fighter, the Bristol Type 178. To test the viability of this concept, the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine required a jet that could be operated by a pilot lying prone. Thus, Meteor F8 WK935 was modified for this purpose and began testing with the Institute in late 1954.
After fifty-five hours of flight tests, the conclusion was that while flying in a prone position was technically feasible, it was practical only if aerodynamic necessities demanded it. The aircraft was never flown solo from the front cockpit. Ultimately, advancements in aviation suits that could counteract g-forces presented a simpler solution, leading to the abandonment of the prone position cockpit concept.
Tat looks so uncomfortable.
The Three Body Problem...
can be explained by Space Pants.
There, Solved.
can be explained by Space Pants.
There, Solved.
A Winkel-type bunker, first designed by Leo Winkel in the 1930s. Winkel designed them to be an efficient above-ground air raid shelter. First, the pointed shape meant a direct hit would likely be deflected off and explode nearby, rather than on it. Second, because it was above ground, explosions could not transmit their energy through the soil, unlike underground bunkers, so it didn't need as much reinforcement. Third, it was easier and more consistent to construct. 200 were built, and only one is known to have been destroyed by a bomb.
Nice post Rico.
Wanted to look up more info on it.
Found this link:
A Spitzbunker Winkel Type 2 Model displaying the interior levels.
Wanted to look up more info on it.
Found this link:
A Spitzbunker Winkel Type 2 Model displaying the interior levels.
It would be hard to winkle anyone out of there.
I suspect if you went in there you would be wrinkled when you came out though.
I guess you could call that a Winkle-wrinkle?
I guess you could call that a Winkle-wrinkle?
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2010
- Messages
- 12,778
- Reaction score
- 7,572
- Age
- 61
It's also interesting!
Last edited:
When "Castles of Steel" roamed the oceans: the 16.1in gun turret of the Japanese Nagato class battleship Mutsu.
On 8 June 1943, Mutsu was moored in the Hashirajima fleet anchorage, with 113 flying cadets and 40 instructors from the Tsuchiura Naval Air Group aboard for familiarization. At 12:13 the magazine of her No. 3 turret exploded, destroying the adjacent structure of the ship and cutting her in half. A massive influx of water into the machinery spaces caused the 150 meter (490 ft) forward section of the ship to capsize to starboard and sink almost immediately. The 45 meter (148 ft) stern section upended and remained floating until about 02:00 hours on 9 June before sinking, coming to rest a few hundred feet south of the main wreck.
In 1970, the Fukada Salvage Company began recovery operations that lasted until 1978 and recovered about 75% of the ship. The two aft turrets were raised in 1970 and 1971. The salvagers retrieved 849 bodies of crewmen lost during the explosion. In 1995, the Mutsu Memorial Museum declared that no further salvage operations were planned.
Today, the remains of the sunken battleship rest 40 meters deep. The nearest point on the surface is 16.5 meters from surface and can be easily spotted with sonar.
On 8 June 1943, Mutsu was moored in the Hashirajima fleet anchorage, with 113 flying cadets and 40 instructors from the Tsuchiura Naval Air Group aboard for familiarization. At 12:13 the magazine of her No. 3 turret exploded, destroying the adjacent structure of the ship and cutting her in half. A massive influx of water into the machinery spaces caused the 150 meter (490 ft) forward section of the ship to capsize to starboard and sink almost immediately. The 45 meter (148 ft) stern section upended and remained floating until about 02:00 hours on 9 June before sinking, coming to rest a few hundred feet south of the main wreck.
In 1970, the Fukada Salvage Company began recovery operations that lasted until 1978 and recovered about 75% of the ship. The two aft turrets were raised in 1970 and 1971. The salvagers retrieved 849 bodies of crewmen lost during the explosion. In 1995, the Mutsu Memorial Museum declared that no further salvage operations were planned.
Today, the remains of the sunken battleship rest 40 meters deep. The nearest point on the surface is 16.5 meters from surface and can be easily spotted with sonar.
Best picture I could find.
-----
-----
Before the advent of aircraft carriers, the world's "superpowers" had battleships. They launched shells the size of Volkswagens.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
Came across this map, mapping out all the Japanese ships sunk during WW II.
