Presidente Alcazar wrote:

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 07:53:54 GMT, Guy Alcala
wrote:

Which reminds me -- the spade grip was pretty much SOP for RAF fighters during
WW2. Anyone know which a/c first dispensed with it and went with a standard
sticktop? I know the Hunter had a regular top, although it too was pivoted about
halfway down to avoid the "hitting the knee" problems that Pete mentioned. OTOH
it had powered controls, so brute force wasn't an issue, and they could have
geared the stick throw however they wanted. Anyone know what the Meteor and
Vampire used? IIRR the latter had the hand-operated brake lever, so probably had
the spade grip.

Yup, the Vampires (at least up to the FB.5) had the spade grip
according to the pilot's notes I've seen.

Given the photo of the T.11 Pete provided, and the pilot's notes you've seen, it
occurs to me that the standard stick stop would have had to replace the spade grip
when ejection seats came in. IIRR single-seat Vamps and (I think) early Meteors
didn't have ejection seats. A spade grip would presumably interfere more with the
ejection path, and who wants to lose a leg at the knee if they don't have to?

Guy