Eject!: The Complete History of U.S. Aircraft Escape Systems [Hardcover]

Jim Tuttle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002

From the first parachutes developed in 1797 to modern guro-stabilized, vectorable rocket capsules capable of deployment at Mach 3 and at the edge of space, this chronology covers the complete history of aircraft escape systems used in the United States. Detailed descriptions of the technologies behind each ejection system's development and use are accompanied by photographs, diagrams, and fascinating firsthand accounts from pilots and crewmembers who have used escape systems.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760311854
• ISBN-13: 978-0760311851
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,738,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Many erroneous "facts.", January 16, 2011

By 

Carl Jordan (Punta Gorda, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Eject!: The Complete History of U.S. Aircraft Escape Systems (Hardcover)

Page 15 shows a photo of some Naval Aviators toting seat-pack parachutes. The author mysteriously states that these are somehow attached to their shoulders, and that when released, it "would allow the parachute to drop down on its harness and become their seat cushion." This, of course, is pure fantasy. Holding the parachute by its leg straps across one's shoulder was just a handy way to carry a seat-pack parachute prior to putting it on. The author's erroneous explanation is typical of many inaccuracies throughout the book. Another is his constant inaccurate reference to the "U.S. Army Air Corps" during World War Two. The Army Air Corps (AAC) ceased to exist in June of 1941, some six months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and our subsequent entry into World War Two. The Army Air Corps (AAC) was supplanted by the Army Air Forces (AAF) and the Army Air Forces (AAF) was the branch of service in which military personnel served during the entire war. There was no longer any "Army Air Corps." The author even has the original P-80 as a plane used by "The U.S. Army Air Corps." This, too, is a typical erroneous figment of his imagination.

The book does present accurate information here and there. But, with so many inaccuracies also included, it's difficult to discern one from the other.

Carl B. Jordan

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Punches out a bit early but gets you down safely, December 30, 2003

By 

Aero Nut (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eject!: The Complete History of U.S. Aircraft Escape Systems (Hardcover)

I had really mixed feelings about this book. On the plus side, it provides a comprehensive general description of all the major U.S. aircraft emergency escape systems. On the minus side, there are some factual errors pertaining to the aircraft information given, typographic errors, and little information on the more technical/engineering aspects of ejection seats themselves. Each major escape system described usually includes a short history of some of the aircraft that used it. This is where I found most of the factual errors. I would have liked to see less material about the aircraft and more about the ejection systems themselves.

With that said, it is really hard to fault this book since it is one of the very few written about this somewhat obscure subject. It does deliver what is promised in the title; it presents a (general) HISTORY of U.S. aircraft escape systems. This history includes ejection seats, jettisonable noses, encapsuled seats, and ejectable crew modules. If you have any interest in ejection seats at all, then get this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for high performance U.S. aircraft fans., August 5, 2010

By 

Calvin H. Gifford "lodni_k" (NAWC China Lake, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Eject!: The Complete History of U.S. Aircraft Escape Systems (Hardcover)

I found this book to be a wonderful read. As a Navy aircraft maintainer, aviation aficionado & modelling enthusiast. Even if the title has a few errors, this is a facinating read and the stories (both lucky & unlucky) give a genuine insight into the men & machines that are part of The Cold War's History.