Boulton Paul Defiant Parasuit, successful bailout using?

It was I believe known by some wearers as the ‘Rhino Suit’ !

I had to do some googling to learn what you were talking about.

That thing looks bulkier than a chest parachute!

parasuit gallery

Andy

Your #2 is Plt Off Eric Farnes #77374 from L7001 141 Sqn on 19th July 1940 (Pilot Flt Lt Malcolm John Loudon #37293)

I believe #1 would be P/O Cyril Charles Ellery #78747 from L7004 264 Sqn on 7th June 1940 (Pilot Sqd/Ldr William Fleming Carnaby #90157)

Wonderful story, Wulfie!

Thanks for sharing that.

There was a handle which could be wound to turn the turret when there was no power. The most normal route out was to step down on to the wing and then to slide off. A 96 Squadron gunner, Sgt Les Seales went the opposite way when his Defiant suffered undercarriage damage on take off from Wrexham. His pilot, Pilot Officer J J Phoenix had trouble undoing his straps when they were ordered to bale out. Les climbed out of his turret onto the wing, and then edged his way forward, helped Phoenix out, and then baled out himself. After this episode Les was always known as Dizzy Seales. Over fifty years later, at the age of 81, Dizzy resumed his wing walking exploits. With his grand-daughter strapped to the wing of one Utterley Butterley Boeing Stearman, Les flew atop another, despite having lost a leg in a motor-cycle accident some years before ! Les was really miffed to discover there was an even older wing walker in America, so he waited two years and did it again, entering the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest wing-walker in the world.

Was there a manual over ride for revolving the turret if the power failed?

Very interesting, thanks for the replies.
What was the bailout drill? I would imagine;
1. Rotate turret port or starboard (hoping there is still power)
2. Climb out backwards and flip over the side (still hoping nothing is snagged on the guns)
3, Deploy chute and hope for the best!

As far as I know – the lucky defiant gunner could rotate the turret so facing sideways and bale out the top !

Or if turret facing forward – he could if lucky – wriggle down and escape out of the lower hatch… but neither way out very easy,there were successful bale outs using both techniques but I do not know how many !
Like all aircrew – the defiant gunners have my utmost admiration for bravery !

Badge No 2 issued for GQ Parasuit descent.

I think No 1 went to a chap called Law, or Laws. I forget!

I have one of those but it has no name or number on it. Mine has a pin attachment, not the stud.

Very interesting, thanks for the replies.
What was the bailout drill? I would imagine;
1. Rotate turret port or starboard (hoping there is still power)
2. Climb out backwards and flip over the side (still hoping nothing is snagged on the guns)
3, Deploy chute and hope for the best!

Badge No 2 issued for GQ Parasuit descent.

I think No 1 went to a chap called Law, or Laws. I forget!

How did this work ?

Yes, plenty!

GQ gave away a parachute badge (the equivalent of the Irvin caterpillar) for such usage. I will try to post later an image of such a badge issued for use of the Parasuit to a Defiant crew member.