"raf introduction of parachutes when?" Topic

my understanding is that the royal flying corps in ww1 forbid pilots from carrying parachutes, the raf was formed just after ww1 ,at what point did the raf change policy and issue parachutes as standard to pilots

I don't think that they were "forbidden". After the war the 24' Seat S-1 parachute was issued in the 20s IIRC. Robert

Here is a parachute dated 1938."

By Irvin Air Chute Ltd. Marked with Canadian patents to 1938. This pack was used with a 24' canopy and the seat type / pilot parachute harnesse assemblies."

Robert

In WWI most services 'discouraged' the use of parachutes because they believed it would cause pilots to jump out of damaged planes rathern than try to return them safely to the ground for repair. However, to my knowledge all services had them and they were used primarily by vip pilots whom the government trusted. Richthofen and Guynemer wore them routinely, for example. IIRC, later in the war, more and more pilots were issued them as a matter of course but I don't believe they were used much (by that I mean I don't believe many pilots jumped out of their planes, trusting their lives to silk rather than canvas).

I think more Balloon Observers had parachutes and used them. They were the only group routinely fitted with parachutes but the early parachutes had a high failure rate.Balloonist would only jump in dire emergencies. Robert

"Observer jumping from an observation balloon by parachute"

Observer attached to the parachute on the side of the basket

link

Of course, Robert. I forgot about balloonists. You are absolutely correct.

I do not think is was forbidden as it was impractical. I am reading a book on the No.14 Squadron in the Sinai and the issue they had was the science of packing a chute was not perfected as of 1917. Was way to hit and miss.

I suspect the sheer weight of the parachute would have been enough to affect the performance of early planes, plus the bulk might have caused problems.

I think GarrisonMiniatures has it right. Given the low power of early aero-engines, anything adding weight and drag might, while improving your chances of survival if shot down, also improve your chances of getting shot down in the first place.

All the best,

John.

As a little kid in the 1970s, I knew a WW1 fighter pilot very well, as he lived next door to my grandparents. He was good enough to answer the annoying questions of an aeroplane-mad kid (who had read every Biggles book). He told me that it was usually the case that parachutes simply added weight and were bloody uncomfortable and unreliable. He rathered taking his chances with a lighter (and therefore more manoeuvreable) machine.

R Mark Davies wrote:

As a little kid in the 1970s, I knew a WW1 fighter pilot very well, as he lived next door to my grandparents. He was good enough to answer the annoying questions of an aeroplane-mad kid (who had read every Biggles book).

What, even "Biggles and the Deep Blue Sea"?

All the best,

John.

Well… every one I could get my hands on! I don't recall that one… :o)

Two points. First. The weight issue is correct, the aircraft barely got off the ground as it was. Also the reason that air to ground wireless took so long to develop.
Second. RAF formed on 1 April 1918, so before the war ended.

Rich