Answers to Ejection Seat Trivia

• 1) F-104 Starfighter
• 2) F-8 Crusader. I actually saw a display model demonstrating this technique at an Andrews AFB airshow sometime in the late sixties (or perhaps early 70s). A ribbon of flammable material inscribed a line around the inside of the forward fuselage. When ignited it burned at a temperature that would literally melt the airframe metal, severing the cockpit area, winch then deployed a parachute.
• 3) Early in the Russian space program, Cosmonauts returning from space ejected from their capsules. Separating from their seats, much like the system in use today, they then descended under personal parachutes.
• 4) “d over 1,300
• 5) “d Yes, they even used bears (and chimps) in testing the Stanley Supersonic Capsule, which was later installed in the fabulous B-58 Hustler, the four-engine, delta wing nuclear bomber of the Cold War.
• 6) The Gemini spacecraft.
• 7) With average-sized pilot, the seat will rise to a height of about 200 feet. 
• 8) A full chute is expected within three seconds.
• 9) Over 12,000
• 10) True. The AV-8A and -8B, used by the USMC and the RAF, have such a system. For years I wondered why there were these irregular lines spoiling the clear and unobstructed vision out of the top of the canopy in Harriers—and other—aircraft. Turns out these are explosives needed to create a path for the ejecting pilot in planes that do not have a canopy that can be jettisoned. Should the explosives fail to fire, the seats are specially designed to shatter the canopy sufficiently to allow the seat through. However, there is no guarantee that the pilot will not receive injuries from any jagged Plexiglas that may gouge his body on the way out.

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