Spitfire XIX bent in France

[CoastieJohn]

Perhaps worth mentioning ...on the PR Mk XIX there is no conventional cockpit door. It is a pressurised cockpit.

PeterA

Thinking out loud here. Looking at this picture and thinking of the report earlier the pilot was stuck inside the cockpit, would it be beneficial or even possible to have some type of roll bar inside the cockpit to keep the upside down airframe from collapsing on the pilot's head/upper body?

[ignomini]

Looking at that closeup, it does not look as though the fuselage deformed behind the canopy. Don't think a roll bar would have changed anything here. The scary bit is being trapped in the cockpit. Maybe not often, but sometimes the "crowd" have the right instinct. I believe they did the absolutely best possible thing in the circumstances, and risked their lives doing it. Well done!

[CoastieJohn]

Could there be a roll bar in front and back? Would the front one block the pilots view too much?

[marine air]

Many years ago a friend of my dad's was a sponsor of one of the CAF's P-51s. It was involved in a severe ground loop on a military base. He was unhurt but trapped inside the cockpit. The crash crew tok a long time to get to him and he told them not to chop into the airplane. It took 30 plus minutes to get a truck crane and lift the aircraft up to get him out. He said it was the most miserable feeling to be soaked in avgas. IT was leaking everywhere and he was waiting for it to catch fire and burn him alive.
So yes the crowd did the right thing with the overturned Spitfire. There have been instances where people have been uninjured only to release their seat belt and break their neck. Tailwheel instructors need to mention that in their ground schools.

[Spitty]

Frame 11 is heavily reinforced at the top on the later Spits and there is cross bracing internally behind the seat.Behind the pilot there is an additional x member for the aerial mount.