Bondage

[Ginger.]

How did the scout pilots strap in? I have heard them described as lap straps,somewhere else says they were a type of harness, so tight as to stop a pilot looking over his shoulder.That does'nt sound like a recipe for a long career!The straps draped over the cockpit in Albatros photos looks like a car seatbelt.

[Barrett]

oops--sorry, I thought this thread dealt with another subject entirely.
However, long as I'm here: different nations had different methods of securing pilots and aircrew to their machines. the original safety straps were simple seat belts but things evolved. The Brits eventually developed a four-point harness, I believe, with a quick-release fitting in the middle. Assuming that most of the WW I replica aircraft I've seen are authentic (and I believe they are), by late war the usual arrangement was little different from WW II: a lap belt with universal latch to secure two shoulder straps as well.
However, not all WW II a/c started that way. Original Grumman Wildcats (F4F-3s) only had lap belts, which provided inadequate protection against "gunsight-itis" in sudden stops. In 1941-42, pilots aboard USS Yorktown (CV-5) envisioned a horizontal chest strap ("almost like a bra," said one pilot) to prevent one's face from impacting the gunsight, but the shoulder straps proved adequate.
The shoulder straps were completely tightened for takeoff and landing, for obvious reasons. In my biplane days I always-always used mine, but once airborne, I loosened them enough so I could turn my shoulders and resume my scan of the surrounding airpace. Naturally, for aerobatics or dogfighting the shoulder straps were cinched tight again.
I won 14 dogfights in my time, but the number I lost is classified Beyond Top Secret.

Bondage - Kaeti - Towel.

Hey Barrett, how did they keep score in those mock dogfights? Paint rounds or something like?
Observers?

[Brad]

Barret I hate to ask this but someone is going to.
Do the German records confirm your victories?

[Barrett]

I did have a red Fokker Tripe in my sights at one time but the blighter was past me before I could press the trigger. The Warner radial in Walt's machine seemed more powerful than an authentic rotary. (Yes, I really did have a trigger in the ol' N3N, but it was intended as a radio activator!) All the others were semi-friendly (at least until the merge) but hey, "a kill is a kill."
No victory marks on the Yellow Bird but I did enjoy posting the mounting score on a chart in the hangar.
Ah, youth...youth...

[Ginger.]

I'm glad to see my quest for knowledge is being treat with the respect it demands!!!

[Richard_Schrader]

Barrett;
Squdron rule #1, gentlemen do not parade their sucess.
Breaking that rule, I knocked over 5 port-a-potties at Fort Riley with my rotor wash. The next time I flew I noticed 5 yellow johns painted on the nose of my Ch-47.
Richard
PS: the CO was not amused!!!

[Ginger.]

Billy Bishop knocked over ten!!!

[Richard_Schrader]

Ginger;
Yes, but I had witnesses!
Richard

[Barrett]

Richard: 5 portapotties in one pass! That solo raid should earn you a "WC"!
(Two rimshots and a cymbal.)