Pressurized cockpits in WWII fighters

Interesting subject. How did the pressure chamber stand up to combat damage? Were they many explosive decompressions?
Rob

The maximum pressure difference on the Spitfire Mk.VI was only 2psi, so I doubt that any decompression would be explosive. The pressure hull of the Ju86P/R was punctured on several occasions without any catastrophic events. I doubt that those in the Bf109 were any greater – and these clearly not considered of great value as they were discarded on later variants, even those with the high-altitude rated DB605AS or D. It’s an interesting question whether the Bf109H was pressurised or not: I would assume so.

I don’t believe all of them were pressurised though.

… Or armed.
🙂

Surely Spitfire Mk.19 should be added as well.

I don’t believe all of them were pressurised though.

Here’s one I forgot about, designed from the beginning with a pressurized cockpit.

A post about a non-Spitfire turning into a thread about Spitfires?
Why that would never happen here. 🙂

The original question did specifically invite discussion of other types.

Its a curse, I tell ye!

I know. I got sidetracked…

A post about a non-Spitfire turning into a thread about Spitfires?
Why that would never happen here. 🙂

Interesting subject. How did the pressure chamber stand up to combat damage? Weere they many explosive de compressions?
Rob

Experimental Brewster XF2A-4 s/n:01516 I haven’t found any photo of it yet.

Chris

I worked for an old Group captain in the early 1980, who had a squadron of pressuized Mosquitos (140sdn). He said they where not very good as the escape hatches llet more air out.

Dave

The Bf109G-1, G-3 and G-5 saw combat, as (mentioned above) did the Ta152.

Thanks guy’s, so was the Spitfire the only fighter with a pressurized cockpit to see action, or did German & Russian ?? , fighters also see actual combat.

I thought is was the Spitfire marks VI, VII, X and XIX which were pressurised.

You’re right.

Mk VI was the first to be pressurised to get into service. The canopy was locked into place -wasn’t on rails.

Really should leave this to Mk12.

I know. I got sidetracked…

I thought, from the thread title, that the question was about fighters, not Photo reconnaissance or bomber aircraft?

I thought is was the Spitfire marks VI, VII, X and XIX which were pressurised.

Spitfire Mk19 like mentioned above had a pressurised cockpit that’s why there is no fold down door in the cockpit wall

Surely Spitfire Mk.19 should be added as well.

Operational:

Focke Wulf Ta 152H
Junkers Ju 86P
DH Mosquito NF. Mk. XV and PR. Mk 32.
Spit’ Mk.IV. Mk.VI. HF Mk. VII. HF Mk. VIII

Those were generally just pressurised versions of existing designs.

The list of pressurised aircraft in WWII is huge. Its just that most of it is test aircraft and prototypes: Focke Wulf FW 190C series, Blohm & Voss 155B, Henschel Hs 130, Kawasaki Ki 108, Tachikawa Ki 74, Vickers Type 432. And that’s the stuff that got flown.

Here’s a question: Is the B29 the only type to be designed with pressurisation from the outset to see widespread service in WWII?

Bomber wise they did the Wellington v and v1