This page provides a brief overview of some of the design requirements which had to be met in designing an Airborne Lifeboat. The reference ‘Rescue from the Skies‘ gives much more detail on this subject.
Design Factors driven by being ‘Airborne’
- Light enough to be carried by the chosen aircraft.
- Manageable impact on safety and performance of the aircraft in flight.
- Held to and released from the aircraft using single-point attachment in the bomb bay.
- Fit snugly and tightly to the aircraft without a gap between, to prevent damage and adverse aerodynamics from turbulence between lifeboat and its carrier.
- Of a size which would fit under the chosen aircraft when landing, taking off and on the ground.
- Cope with stresses and pressures when airborne, as the parachutes open and as the lifeboat hits the sea at up to 25mph.
Design Factors as a lifeboat at sea
- Self-righting and unsinkable.
- Very seaworthy to survive in the North Sea and Channel in rough weather.
- Range of up to 500 miles – fuel, supplies sufficient for all of the aircrew.
- Must have sails to mitigate engine reliability issues and running out of fuel.
- Engine(s), sails and rigging easily operated by men without experience.
- Make it as easy as possible for ditched aircrew to swim to get to and board the lifeboat.
- All equipment all easily operated by hand by men probably not at the peak of their fitness.
- Quickly and efficiently built within the materials and skills shortages of the war.