Brodie landing system
Encyclopedia
The Brodie landing system was a method of landing light aeroplane
devised by James H Brodie, a Captain of the United States Air Force
during World War II
. The method of landing involved catching a hook attached to the plane with a sling which itself was attached to a cable. This system proved useful in landing aircraft in normally unsuitable terrain, such as the jungle or in mountains, and also afforded good camouflage
.
Similar non-conventional landing apparatus were previously deployed in limited numbers for airborne aircraft recovery
on blimps. The Brodie system differed in that the system was based on a wire capture with a larger (longer) target to hit by the pilot. Even though it could be mounted to moving objects, it was also suitable for fixed installations in the jungle.
Brodie was issued US Patent # 2, 435,197, # 2,488,050, # 2,488,051, # 3,163,380 for variations of the landing system.
The system was also used for landing light aircraft on ships, allowing existing ships to be converted to light aircraft carriers with little structural changes. Brodie and test pilot
Flight Officer
Raymond Gregory were awarded the Legion of Merit
for their work on the system in 1945. Brodie envisioned scaling the system up to capture planes as heavy as 7000lbs.
The RAF used a L-5 for testing the Brodie system in India.
One type of light aircraft which used the system was the Stinson L-5 Sentinel, an example of which is displayed in Brodie configuration in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
museum in Washington D.C.
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
devised by James H Brodie, a Captain of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The method of landing involved catching a hook attached to the plane with a sling which itself was attached to a cable. This system proved useful in landing aircraft in normally unsuitable terrain, such as the jungle or in mountains, and also afforded good camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
.
Similar non-conventional landing apparatus were previously deployed in limited numbers for airborne aircraft recovery
Airborne aircraft carrier
Airborne aircraft carriers are aircraft which can launch other aircraft. These typically are large aircraft that launch fighter-interceptor planes.-Dirigible aircraft carriers:...
on blimps. The Brodie system differed in that the system was based on a wire capture with a larger (longer) target to hit by the pilot. Even though it could be mounted to moving objects, it was also suitable for fixed installations in the jungle.
Brodie was issued US Patent # 2, 435,197, # 2,488,050, # 2,488,051, # 3,163,380 for variations of the landing system.
The system was also used for landing light aircraft on ships, allowing existing ships to be converted to light aircraft carriers with little structural changes. Brodie and test pilot
Test pilot
A test pilot is an aviator who flies new and modified aircraft in specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques or FTTs, allowing the results to be measured and the design to be evaluated....
Flight Officer
Flight officer
The title flight officer was a military rank used by the United States Armed Forces where it was an air force warrant officer rank. It was also an air force rank in several Commonwealth nations where it was used for female officers and was equivalent to the rank of flight lieutenant...
Raymond Gregory were awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for their work on the system in 1945. Brodie envisioned scaling the system up to capture planes as heavy as 7000lbs.
Operational History
The LST 776 was outfitted with a Brodie Landing system.The RAF used a L-5 for testing the Brodie system in India.
One type of light aircraft which used the system was the Stinson L-5 Sentinel, an example of which is displayed in Brodie configuration in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum 's annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in the Chantilly area of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States....
museum in Washington D.C.