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Were WWII fighters' cockpits heated?

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  • Member since
    November 2013
Were WWII fighters' cockpits heated?
Posted by Spitfire on Saturday, January 25, 2014 10:46 AM

Building a few of these had me wondering if the cockpits of WWII fighters were heated, and if not I wonder how cold it could get in there when flying at altitude?

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Saturday, January 25, 2014 10:49 AM

I believe some did and just an FYI, this type of query would be better asked in the a/c forum.

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, January 25, 2014 11:32 AM

I do recall reading about some US fighters having some sort of heating system. That was one complaint about the P-38 having a poor layout and heating system.

 

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Goffstown, NH
Posted by New Hampshire on Saturday, January 25, 2014 11:42 AM

The De Havilland Mosquito apparently did:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=126

Brian

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Saturday, January 25, 2014 12:42 PM

Yes although there are exceptions.

-55C at 35000 ft standard but of course varies a little.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Houston, Texas
Posted by panzerpilot on Saturday, January 25, 2014 11:14 PM

Most were heated. However, the vast majority were considered less than adequate and not very reliable.

Pressurized cockpits were a rarity (some later 109s had them), so I'd imagine it could get really cold with all the various air leaks, etc.

-Tom

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, January 26, 2014 1:34 AM

IIRC, aside from a couple Me-109 G variants, there were also a couple Spitfire Marks that had pressurized cockpits.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Sunday, January 26, 2014 9:14 AM

Ta-152H was pressurized.

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Sunday, January 26, 2014 11:41 AM

With all of the heat being generated by a water cooled  engine, I don't see why a cockpit couldn't be heated. But also considering that the cockpit was also open to the rest of the fuselage it would also seem like it was a large area to try to keep heated. A vent opening towards the pilot would probably be all that was provided. A pressurized cockpit in a fighter aircraft? Better be prepared for quick depressurization when hit by an enemy round. And I am not sure about  radial engined aircraft of the era, but they could be heated, too, I suppose.

Automobile heaters in this era were only vented at the floor, there were no dashboard vents as in todays cars, just the floor heat and windshield defroster (maybe).

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Monday, January 27, 2014 2:30 PM

subfixer

 And I am not sure about  radial engined aircraft of the era, but they could be heated, too, I suppose.

They certainly were. You wouldn't last too long at high altitude if they weren't or your flight suit and gloves weren't electrically heated, like a bomber gunner.

Other options were fuel-fired heaters or electric heaters, with ducting and fans.

Windshields needed defrosters too, Guns needed heaters, and so forth. It's a pretty cruel environment.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

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