The “Brodie System” was an igneous system it was also incredible this system was kept a secret for so long. Even now that it is unclassified it is hardly known. It was a cheap system to lunch and recover light planes like at sea or rough terrain. The planes were used to spot enemy locations and to direct the ships fire.
The Brodie System was invented during World War II. A pilot could take off or land with the aircraft hooked to a trolley that ran along a cable. On landing, the trolley provided braking for a smooth stop. The cable and trolley could be rigged on very short jungle fields, or even on ships.
1st picture: Piper L-4, engine running, is ready for take-off while suspended from its cable.
2nd: A light aircraft could take off or land on a ship using the cable.
3rd: This Stinson L-5B may have just landed by snagging a loop attached to a trolley riding on the cable.
4th: Riggers hooked this L-5B to the cable before take-off. Captain James H. Brodie, inventor, is on the left.
Can you imagine flying to catch a nylon loop when there were only four feet between the spinning prop and the hook?
Source
http://www.aerofiles.com/brodie-rig.html
http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazycenter/construction/image_display.cfm?imageID=321
I wasn’t sure if I should put it in military or historic, since it is both. So I guessed.
By: Newforest - 17th March 2007 at 20:08
Alternatively any EAA member should be able to look it up for you in the back issues of Sport Aviation magazine. The system was described in there also. Maybe your local library has copies.
Unfortunately I am in Florida and all my mags are in Canada, so I cannot help you.
Likewise, I am in Germany and my magazines are in California, but the plane was featured in a recent issue of ‘Sport Aviation’.
By: Deryck - 17th March 2007 at 19:48
The gentleman and his aircraft were at the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh a couple of years ago. EAA should be able to help you out with a name.
Alternatively any EAA member should be able to look it up for you in the back issues of Sport Aviation magazine. The system was described in there also. Maybe your local library has copies.
Unfortunately I am in Florida and all my mags are in Canada, so I cannot help you.
By: ATFS_Crash - 17th March 2007 at 16:21
I’m the fool that started the last thread regarding the Brodie System. I am working on an illustration of it in action, South Pacific mounted on an LST.
Do you recall the name of the author or book title? I am still trying to find the A/C number and markings for the one actually used in action that I am working on.
The “new” one “Grasshopper” that I have seen pics of…Is that the authors A/C? Wondered about the invasion stripes, as far as I know, it was only used in the Pacific….but he is the expert.
I don’t remember his name. I don’t remember if the one he had had invasion markings or not, I forget or didn’t notice.
Ernest Kowalik ? (some good photos & info)
http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/grasshoppersmustreturn.htm
Glines, Carroll V ?
I didn’t know if he had finished the book or not, it was a few years ago, I was afraid he might have passed away by now. But he had a bunch of photos and documents. Evidently he felt it was a secret for a long time and couldn’t talk about it.
other
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/l4registry/l4-43330426.html
I did some investigation, and couldn’t find any evidence the Brodie System was use as part of D-Day, I think he might be taking artistic license. Perhaps the plane flew in Day was transferred had the hook put on as part of the transfer to the pacific. I don’t know, I am speculating.
The grasshoppers were used in Europe, but I don’t know of any case they used the “Brodie System”, they could have I don’t know.
Mayby you can figure out from the links, or track someone down in the links that know.
http://armyavnmuseum.org/history/war/ww2/overview6.html http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/grasshoppersmustreturn.htm
http://www.jimsladesairlines.com/oshkosh4.html
http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/piperl4.htm
http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/L-4J.htm
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/secretweapon.aspx
http://www.warbirds-eaa.org/articles/06_02_feature.pdf
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_200308/ai_n9261301
http://www.sonic.net/~bstone/archives/050807.shtml
http://www.geocities.com/airbornemuseum/sld026.htm
http://www.lstmemorial.org/prog04b/brodie.doc
http://lstmemorial.org/archive/pr0804.htm
—
grasshopper (non Brodie) downs ME-109
http://www.armyav.org/board_l-4B.htm
By: CSheppardholedi - 17th March 2007 at 15:55
I’m the fool that started the last thread regarding the Brodie System. I am working on an illustration of it in action, South Pacific mounted on an LST.
Do you recall the name of the author or book title? I am still trying to find the A/C number and markings for the one actually used in action that I am working on.
The “new” one “Grasshopper” that I have seen pics of…Is that the authors A/C? Wondered about the invasion stripes, as far as I know, it was only used in the Pacific….but he is the expert.
By: ATFS_Crash - 17th March 2007 at 15:34
And more information on our last discussion on the topic.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=66370&highlight=Brodie+System
Cool, Sorry I didn’t mean to double post.:o
I met the guy that wrote a book on it at an air show (Dayton OH), he had the plane grasshopper there and a bunch of documentation.
It’s nice to be able to meet and talk and thank these guys before they pass.
mods dealeat or move/merge if you want.
By: Newforest - 17th March 2007 at 14:20
And more information on our last discussion on the topic.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=66370&highlight=Brodie+System
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March 17, 2007 at 2:04 pm