Getting into a Hurricane-port or starboard?

Lucky I was never told all this or I might have worried!!

= Tim

One of the reasons for entering the Spitfire from the port side was because the wing surface was stronger there. There were strict instructions not to walk over the area, on the starboard wing, of the radiator, since the surface could be “dished,” which would impair the radiator’s efficiency, and require a replacement wing to be fitted.

The only reason to mount a Spitfire via the port side is that is where the cockpit door is located! The area outside the walkway line on the Spitfire is less able to bear foot traffic and is ‘not to be walked on’ but the most vulnerable area is the upper surface of the wheel recess as there is very little structure in it.

Certainly possible, but you would still put your own ‘chute into the seat if you valued yor life!

(Luckily I rarely, if ever. flew other than my own a/c)

RM – ‘chute straps first, please – assuming that the pilot had the sense to leave his ‘chute in the seat & not do a duck walk from the tailplane, crash his ‘chute against the canopy when entering & then slam it down onto the edge of the seat!!
Would you trust your ‘chute after this??
PS I would be airborne before this chap was seated!!

Not always, since, early in the war, the pilot could be allocated a different aircraft each time he flew, and, especially during 1940, it was common to see the same aircraft flown by four pilots in one day, or maybe two, in the case of a P.R.
One of the reasons for entering the Spitfire from the port side was because the wing surface was stronger there. There were strict instructions not to walk over the area, on the starboard wing, of the radiator, since the surface could be “dished,” which would impair the radiator’s efficiency, and require a replacement wing to be fitted. Note, too, that the early car-door Typhoons were entered from the starboard side, so port entry wasn’t written in stone.
Edgar

Am I right in thinking its the custom to enter aeroplanes from the port side due to cavalry mounting horses from the left side, since the sword/cutlass was worn on the left ?

Both the SAAB Gripen – and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter – have canopies that open to port.

They are therefore entered from the starboard side.

I guess neither the Swedes – nor the Americans – had cavalry:D

Photos of Blackburn Buccaneers usually show the massive boarding ladder on the starboard side – and that has a rearward-sliding canopy.

We had an interesting debate some time ago about various canopy-opening arrangements – and about how the crew climbed in.

There seems to be no standard.

Ken

Am I right in thinking its the custom to enter aeroplanes from the port side due to cavalry mounting horses from the left side, since the sword/cutlass was worn on the left ?

PPS THIS is the way to enter – albeit Luftwaffe.

RM – ‘chute straps first, please – assuming that the pilot had the sense to leave his ‘chute in the seat & not do a duck walk from the tailplane, crash his ‘chute against the canopy when entering & then slam it down onto the edge of the seat!!

Would you trust your ‘chute after this??

= Tim

PS I would be airborne before this chap was seated!!

Alder Tag & Circus6 & Rocketteer,

Thank-you all for pointing out the emergency panel. I’d always assumed it was an hinged door for getting into or out of the aircraft.:o

It’s worth mentioning that the ‘door’ on the starboard side wasn’t really a door at all, but was in fact a panel that could be jettisoned in an emergency (particularly important if the aircraft came to rest inverted).

Yes, importantly the door isn’t hinged, but jettisonable.

It’s worth mentioning that the ‘door’ on the starboard side wasn’t really a door at all, but was in fact a panel that could be jettisoned in an emergency (particularly important if the aircraft came to rest inverted).

Thanks again for your promt replies.:)

I am currently buiding a 1/32 scale Hurricane depicting the aircraft of Sgt Dennis Noble ( My home towns only BofB casualty). I want to pose the pilot in the process of responding to a scramble, so if I had one of the ground crew stood against the door, holding the seat straps as the pilot was climbing aboard from the port-side would that look OK?

Interesting Steve. I can imagine differences in the rigging of the hand/step system. When I first chatted to some restorers in the 80s, there was much confusion in the system. It is quite/overly complex all things considered!

My experience is different from Tony’s. You certainly mount on the port side – but our procedure is 1. Pull down the stirrup with your hand. This also opens up the rear hand grip flap (outward opening). 2. Climb up (right foot in the stirrup first). 3. Push the hand grip flap back flush (this action retracts the stirrup). Climb in via the forward foot-step recess.

I have always got in the port side too….the starboard door is emergency only. The procedure is as follows:-

Put hand in top hand hold, hold on
This releases the lower foot stirrup….pop right foot in and swing left leg onto wing root. Get other leg up….shuffle along on strong wing root bit (black non slip sometimes)

Pop foot in other foot hole (this action retracts the stirrup and swing other leg over, stand on seat pan, swing other leg over. Support your weight on screen or canopy rails and lower yourself down whilst putting feet on heel boards!!!

Port, at least i did the other day!!:)

That was quick….. thanks for that.:)

Port, at least i did the other day!!:)