A 1 Skyraider ejection seat

[Flagon]

Hello !
Could any good soul please tell me which model(s) of the SPAD were equipped with an ejection seat,and if it could really be called such.
I think USAF single seaters had one,but I can't see a headrest in any photo.
How did it work ?A bit of ejection/bale out Statistics ?
Grazie.

[Invader26]

The A-1 and T-28D's used in Vietnam by the USAF employed the Stanley Yankee extraction system. The seat stayed in the aircraft.

Another unique design was the YANKEE extraction system. Used in the Skyraider, a large propeller driven aircraft, and T-28D ,this system consisted of a catapult-launched extraction rocket which withdrew the aircrew from the cockpit via a tether. It automatically deployed the aircrew's recovery parachute at the end of the rocket burnout. This system was ideal for retrofitting to cockpits with limited area for mounting a traditional ejection seat.

[One-0-Wonder]

This page http://www.ejectionsite.com/frame_sg.htm explains the whole system and includes many excellent pics. Just scroll down to the Yankee - Stanley system for the Skyraider.

[Flagon]

Hanging on to a rocket,and apparently it did work.
No statistics,though,could someone enlighten me ?
The story about the Space Shuttle is,well,amusing.
Grazie.

[Tailspin Turtle]

A little bit more on the Navy usage:
http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/10/yankee-tractor-rocket-escape-system.html

[Flagon]

So the story started with the Navy,the USAF followed,also I didn't know the system was used in 'widebody' versions too.
Grazie.

[Ken]

I was speaking with a friend who flew USAF Skyraiders from 1965-1969. During his first tour, they did not have the Yankee system. (As a side note, this may have contributed to "Jump" Myers' 1966 decision to crash land his A-1E, rather than bail out, leading, of course, to his famous rescue by Bernie Fisher.)

When my friend returned to combat in 1968, both the A-1E/G and A-1H/J airplanes were modified. This corresponds with the provided web link that mentions some of the Navy conversions accomplished in 1967. His recollection was that the Yankee was a zero/zero system, although the Navy link mentions 30 knots forward speed required.

Although I have not seen any stats, I'm not aware of many (or any) failures and my friend also recalled that the system was quite reliable and well-liked.

[Tailspin Turtle]

When my friend returned to combat in 1968, both the A-1E/G and A-1H/J airplanes were modified. This corresponds with the provided web link that mentions some of the Navy conversions accomplished in 1967. His recollection was that the Yankee was a zero/zero system, although the Navy link mentions 30 knots forward speed required.

The A-1 T.O states that "The emergency minimum extraction conditions are zero airspeed and altitude." However, the presumption is that the airplane has zero pitch (a little nose up might be good due to the firing angle of the rocket), roll, and sink rate at those conditions and the pilot weighs no more than the unstated maximum number of pounds. A zoom climb is recommended prior to initiation. If in descent with an engine failure, it recommends jettisoning the airplane no less than 2,000 feet above the ground.

Edited to add sink rate. Duh.

Last edited by Tailspin Turtle on Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Ken]

Thanks Turtle! I have the A-1 dash one on CD and hadn't taken the time to insert the disc yet ... and it just might make a 78 year-old feel good that his memory ain't slippin' totally either!