Parachutes?

Aside from balloon observers, at what time during
WWI were parachutes employed for aircraft? What
nation used them the most? Just how successful was
a pilot with these early type parachutes? I've
often wondered if a WWI pilot could get out of
of a plane on fire or being hung up on wire and
struts trying to exit a WWI aircraft.

[Ron_F]

Jerry,
You must be new to WW1 aviation to ask some of these questions.. ;]

Ok, i dont know exact dates, but i believe in the summer of 1918, Germany was using parachutes. Udet jumped from his plane successfully, and i think Goering had one on as well. Unfortunately, Lowenhardt jumped with his on, but fell to his death after it didnt open, i believe.

I only know of Udet, as he is famous. perhaps one of the other forumites might know a few more.

regards,
Ron

[rammjaeger]

>>Aside from balloon observers, at what time during WWI were parachutes employed for aircraft?<<

In 1918, in some seldom cases maybe already earlier.

>>What nation used them the most?<<
Germany produced 7000 but not all were used in war and not all pilots/observers used one. Also Austro-Hungarians used parachutes and one source claimed the Russians in the last time too (?).

>>Just how successful was a pilot with these early type parachutes? I've often wondered if a WWI pilot could get out of of a plane on fire or being hung up on wire and struts trying to exit a WWI aircraft.<<

He was successful if he was surviving. Parachuting pilots died often and on different ways. Sometimes MG-bullets or splinters of grenades destroyed the chute before the pilot was jumping. If the pilot was jumping than he fell to his death, example: German fighter pilot Dilthey.
Other pilots died if the automatic opening rope (which was connected with the airplane) was too long. Than the rope could wrap itself around the airplane tail. Udet was lucky enough to survive this failure.

Sometimes the rope was already damaged by the flames in the burning airplane and the chute did not open if used. Sometimes the chute needed to many time and did not open if used in low altitude. Other pilots hit buildings, were killed in trees and so on. Some jumped successful but were already wounded by MG-fire before and died after landing. And so on ...

But a little chance is better than no chance! The use of parachutes was a boost for the morale of the German pilots and observers.

Jerry,

Ron and Hannes have given you some excellent information already.

The Germans began testing them in mid-1917 and began general issue late that year. It was still considered optional equipment.

The Allies did not encourage the use of parachutes and apparently squelched reports of their usefulness. Top brass apparently thought a pilot would be more prone to stay with a damaged plane and bring it in if he had no chute. (As if a flaming object made of wood and cloth had any salvage value). There seemed to be no thought of the pilot's value. Furthermore, it was thought to be a device for "sissy's". However, some Allied pilots did buy their own parachutes through private sources.

In addition to Ernst Udet, parachutes were used successfully by Josef Jacobs (twice) and Paul Bäumer--the three top German aces to survive the War. The result was that these highly-experienced men were able to continue shooting down Allied aircraft because they used these "sissy" devices. There were many other cases as well.

Best Wishes,

Gary

[Vigilant]

I believe it wasn't really the "scrap value" of the aeroplane that British top brass were worried about, but the effect on fighting spirit. They (wrongly) thought that a pilot might jump rather than fight. Parachutes didn't become compulsory in the RAF until 1927 or thereabouts!

Vigilant

Among the top aces that died by a parachute not opening are Lowenhardt(JG1 Aug 18 53 kills) and Fritz Rumey (Jasta 5 Sept 18 45 kills). Udet is the best known ace to have saved himself with a parachute(JG1 June 18 62 kills). Joao

[stevedrew]

As early as March 1916, the famous Australian aviator, Herbert "Bert" John Louis HINKLER, wrote his mother and told her of a scheme he had worked out and had discussed with the editor of "Flight" magazine. They both planned on taking the scheme to the Admiralty (Hinkler was an osberver/gunner in the RNAS at the time).
Hinkler was alarmed that the pilots who were assigned to attack zeppelins at night did not wish to stray too far for fear of having to land in the dark in unfamiliar territory. Consequently, they refused to chase after their targets. Hinkler proposed that the observer leave the aeroplane by means of a parchute, and fire off a few flares from a very pistol to illuminate the surrounding area, allowing the pilot to select the most suitable terrain for landing. It was not considered for some strange reason.

Steve Drew

I have documented nearly 40 German flyers who tried to survive by baling out, one of them twice. Not more than 50% were successful. The first parachutes are to be seen on photos in March 1918.

Parachutes were not commonly used as people thought it encouraged the pilots to bail out at the slightest fault.

Parachutes were not commonly used as people thought it encouraged the pilots to bail out at the slightest fault.