Wing From Turkey, joined Oct 2000, 1552 posts, RR: 25 Reply 1, posted (6 years 6 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 3879 times:
I don't think its hard to believe for a pilot whose goal was to crash into an aircraft carrier would need having a parachute.
Ottomans in history were burning the ships they sailed when they arrive to the battle field,there was no other chooice other than victory or die,Japanese are also a fighter nation.I would believe if they leave their parachutes just to fight harder,as a motivation of no turning back except from victory.
Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 21 Reply 2, posted (6 years 6 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 3855 times:
Consider the Japanese warrior mindset and you will find it a lot easier to believe.
For the Japanese soldier (certainly the professional, not talking about the later draftees) surrender or flight from battle was a disgrace not just to you but to your family, your unit, and the emperor.
Death in combat was a worthy fate, victory of course even better.
So many of them would likely refuse parachutes going into battle even if offered.
AFAIK parachutes were available, especially during training and ferry missions.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 3, posted (6 years 6 months 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 3826 times:
Quoting Wing (Reply 1): a pilot whose goal was to crash into an aircraft carrier would need having a parachute.
But they did wear helmets.
Go figure!
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 5, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 3451 times:
Quoting Wing (Reply 1): I don't think its hard to believe for a pilot whose goal was to crash into an aircraft carrier would need having a parachute.
The kamakasi attacks didn't start, in mass, until late 1944. Prior to that, the goal of the IJN and IJAF was to keep as many experienced pilots as possible.
Quoting SlamClick (Reply 3): But they did wear helmets.
Go figure!
Quoting Jwenting (Reply 4): leather caps rather, reinforced with leather straps.
Those were their radio headsets.
That was true with the pilots of all the WWII combatents. It was the technoligy of the day.
Ptrjong From Netherlands, joined Mar 2005, 3766 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 3447 times:
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Japanese pilots may have been quite prepared to die in battle, but I don't think they were so keen to die as a result of a stupid engine failure. And certainly their commanding officers were not keen to lose them.
Also, in WWII aircraft you'd usually need a pillow to sit on if you weren't wearing a parachute, right?
Peter
The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad (Salvador Dali)
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From Turkey, joined Oct 2000, 1552 posts, 
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