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Baling out of a stricken aeroplane by G. H. Davis
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Baling out of a stricken aeroplane by G. H. Davis
The gentle art of baling out: escape technique. How airmen dive and drift to safety through space. The use of the parachute during the Second World War: methods of escape from stricken aeroplanes. Date: 1941
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Media ID 14133199
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1941 Airman Airmen Baling Davis Dive Drift Escape Falling Methods Parachute Pilot Safety Stricken Technique
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The Gentle Art of Baling Out: A WW2 Escape Technique as Depicted in G.H. Davis's Striking Photograph This evocative photograph, titled 'The Gentle Art of Baling Out: Escape Technique' by G.H. Davis, captures the harrowing moment of an airman's desperate bid for survival during the Second World War. Dated 1941, this image is a poignant reminder of the methods used by Allied airmen to escape from stricken aeroplanes. The scene unfolds as an airman, clad in a leather flying helmet and goggles, prepares to abandon his damaged aircraft. With a determined expression etched on his face, he leans out of the open cockpit, his body poised in a tense, ready position. The parachute, a lifeline to safety, is already deployed behind him, billowing out in the wind. The photograph, published in the Illustrated London News, offers a rare glimpse into the world of wartime aviation and the courage and quick thinking required to survive in the face of danger. The caption accompanying the image explains the techniques used by airmen to 'dive and drift to safety through space.' The parachute, a vital piece of equipment during the Second World War, allowed airmen to escape from their damaged or burning aircraft at high altitudes. The art of baling out involved a precise sequence of actions, from preparing the parachute harness to exiting the aircraft in a controlled manner. Once in the air, the airman would 'drift' downwards, guided by the wind and the parachute's directional control lines. This powerful image encapsulates the bravery and resilience of the RAF pilots and airmen during the Second World War, as they faced the very real threat of death or injury while serving their country. The photograph serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment and the importance of innovation and adaptability in the face of adversity.
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