There is a figure in the article of the Bf-109E that has what looks like metal cylinders around his calfs. What the heck are they? O2 bottles?
I see the cylinders but I think they are too small to be Oxygen. I would be more inclinde to think they could be water bottles or something else… If they were Oxygen the pilot would be changing them too frequently and they would need regulators on them. Maybe they were like hot water bottles to keep the pilots legs warm during flight for circulation…
I believe they have something to do with flotation in case of having to ditch in the Channel…maybe carbon dioxide canisters???
Jeeves, I think that would be more likely than O2 bottles because any O2 would be supplied in the aircraft.
Flares?
Flares indeed they are, or so I have been taught all my life. If that is not the case, I shall lose all faith in education. But I believe, just as you see in films of B-17 recovery ops, various colored flares are flying everywhere, each color giving the status of the returning airplane in the pattern, such as wounded aboard, gear stuck, etc., etc.
TOM
Hey Sharkskin, Can you open a 109 Canopy to set out a flare? It sure seems like alot of flares for one pilot or crash situation.
Thanks to all for their input. Is there anyone at FSM that can shed some light on this question? Thanks again. Chris