Thread: Aircraft
View Single Post
Old 07-09-2019, 03:32 AM   #906
Carruthers
Junior Master Dwellar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buckinghamshire UK
Posts: 4,059
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diaphone Jim View Post
I wonder if precautions around the thin leading edge of F104's were more to protect damage TO rather than FROM.
In this instance the danger was from the leading edge rather than the other way on.

Quote:
With the wings mounted mid-fuselage, they would be at about head level and ground crews would frequently bump their heads on the wings, especially with their thin profile.
Although the edge was not as sharp as a knife, or even dull scissors, the injuries prompted the Air Force to install leading edge guards on the wings, while the plane was on the ground.
That would prevent injuries…
Presumably, as a visiting aircraft, leading edge guards weren't available so they had to improvise with paper and tape!

Name:  F-104 leading edge..jpg
Views: 1655
Size:  62.0 KB
Quote:
Note the leading edge protector on the left of the picture.
Link
__________________
Carruthers is offline   Reply With Quote