Eject! Eject! | Jon "Herbie" Hancock's Phantom Story (In-Person)
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- čas přidán 22. 06. 2024
- Former RAF Phantom nav, Jon "Herbie" Hancock shares his incredible ejection story from a FG1 in 1987 which includes plenty of detail.
Strap in and enjoy
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Hell of a story! USAF F-4 WSO with 2,000 hours. Loved the MB MK VII seat - never used it. Also loved having Control Stick and Rudder Pedals. Simple matter of fact I had to take the aircraft from the FUF on the range at night as the aircraft was rolling through 60 degrees of bank while he was changing switches. On another occasion I recovered the airplane when the FUF went blind from a rapid decompression at 40,000 feet. What would have happened had I not had controls? We will never know. Also flew the jet repeatedly to give the FUF a break on long missions and took over in the weather and in formation when the FUF got 'the leans'. We had Command Ejection of the R/C/P any time the FUF ejected. A Command Selector Valve in the R/C/P could select Command Ejection of the F/C/P if rotated. This was a Crew Coordination Briefing item for all missions. In over 1,000 sorties I only had a scant few FUFs tell me NOT to rotate the handle. Most felt that if it was bad enough for me to go, we would sort it out on the ground!
Spent one night in The Mess at Leuchers (sp?) . A real class act. I was blown away when I noted all the artwork presented to The Mess on the occasion of the retirement of many officers. When I retired I hoped to start a tradition and presented the Nellis Officer's Club a framed piece of aviation art with a plaque appropriately engraved . I failed.
Fascinating. The RAF acquired a squadron of F4Js, which had command eject. I went onto the Tornado F3, which had command eject from the getgo with the Mk10 seat. My experience of command eject selection very much mirrors yous. The exception was for 'heavyweight pilots', as at take off speeds. the seat with their mass on board wouldn't clear the F3's huge fin! So it was set to rear until after take-off checks.
FUF ? Fool up front?
@@raymondshaw5685 Fucker Up Front. Sometimes referred to as 'My Nose Gunner'
@@JonHancock-go1tu Excellent presentation, well done. FYI: If you are ever so inclined, there is now an excellent F-4E module in DCS World (PC-based VR-capable combat flight simulator). Very high fidelity with almost ALL fully functional systems and weapons. You can operate either as Pilot or WSO, check out various CZcams content for details. Just in case you have a yearning for some well-earned nostalgia...
@@raymondshaw5685 Fu**er Up Front. AKA 'Nose Gunner'
What a story and what a teller of, and well done interviewer for letting the Man speak. Thanks for letting us here it and thanks to the very long roll call of peeps who did stuff to ensure that you made it back to tell us about it, great that you mentioned them too.
Thank you
I thought the same thing as I listened to him. The discipline of thought, yet freedom, creativity and positivity were all very evident. A result of training in the field.
I get the same vibe from the Mentour Pilot CZcams Channel, who's brilliant at explaining technical issues.
Martin Baker have a reputation of being the best ejector seats in the world. It’s testament to how good they are when other nations buy Martin Baker ejector seats for their own aircraft. The US Navy was a big user of them and to be honest the F-35 is an American product, so for a Martin Baker seat to be selected for the F-35 rather than an American seat says a lot.
I’m humbled listening to this incredible story, and Jon’s gratitude and recognition of all the other trades and ground crew who contributed to his successful escape, survival and rehabilitation.
Hell of a story, but made absolutely stellar by a delightfully detailed and descriptive storyteller - Herbie’s a natural and seemed to make life easy for the interviewer, who provided the occasional encouraging nudge. You’ve a real talent for finding enticing stories and delivering immensely engaging one-on-one interviews with the guys who lived them. The result is just outstanding. Thank you.
Cheers!
well said in better words that I can but agree 100%
i was on 43 when it was f3s,,, groundcrew,,, so i really get this story,, and i was dumped in the sea outside belfast and rescued by a wessex to having been volunteered in my absence for air sea rescue training,, it was so cold i pissed myself as soon as i hit the water having been pushed out of the wessex at 20 ft,,, watching the loady scim over the waves directing himself by using various bits of his body was amazing,,, bang clip gone,,, then the slow rotation looking up at the chopper,,,
newer lost an aircraft in my time in the raf but i do remember a state one when at leuchars where a 111 f3 took off and got stuck in a uncomanded roll and they banged out,, was told the pilot had his mobile on him and called the CO while floating down,, the nav was in fact a lecky sgt just hitching a opportunistic ride to leeming where he lived as the jet was overweekending there for an excersise at st mawgan,, 111,,, always crashing jets,,, happy days,,,
A big day out…That’s one way of putting it!! Incredible story & details 👍
Wow...what a story. Very well detailed with lots of typical Air Force humor too. Thanks.
Cheers
Great interview/story telling. Glad Herbie made it back to provide the insight into what it's like to bailout and end up in the drink. My dad had a great story about being pushed up, in a storm cell to coffin corner. High speed buffet/Low speed stall. The prospect of ejecting into a thunderstorm was not something he really wanted to do. With Herbie's ejection at low altitude, I was amazed that there was an instant when he considered riding it in. A riveting story!
An amazing story. I remember it being on the news in Scotland. Glad everyone got out
Over the years I've heard a fair few ejection seat stories but that was by far the most interesting, I suppose because of his explanation on what led up to the event and then his very personal experience thereafter. Thanks for sharing.
Great story. I was a winchman (and winch op) during my 37+ years in the Royal Air Force. And I fully appreciate how excited 'Lenny' would be En Route to a successful ejection when no one died! I think that I worked with Lenny in Northern Ireland in 89-91. Glad to see the use of 'tip-ex' in the log book too...... just like mine!
There was a lot of quiet respect from the Phantom aircrew to our friends on 22 Sqn, recognising that operating the venerable Wessex on SAR call-outs required a special degree of aircrew skill and courage. I think the Boss at the time was Hugh Pearce, certainly they made their presence felt in the bar. I’m still in touch with George; he is still piloting HEMS and must have saved countless lives. Sadly I lost touch with Lenny but there was certainly no doubt he was made up to rescue one of his own.
Fabulous interview - one of your best. I think you manage to ask about four questions only and "Herbie" just took off from there. Very engaging. Fun with a touch of pathos. Thanks!
Many thanks!
Good stuff. I wondered if Herbie would mention that it was a 43 jet they crashed.
I remember being in the airmen's mess having lunch when the buzz went round that a jet had been lost. The first time I'd experienced that.
I think at that time Mick Hall and Mick Wilcock were the lads working in the parachute bay. Both sadly passed now.
Thanks to Herbie for recognising them and the others who work on this kit hoping it may never be used.
Thank you, I’m sad to hear of their passing. I owe my life to many people that day.
What a story and what a story-teller! Amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was 111sqn ground crew when this happened! Glad you made it out in one piece and are still doing OK
Thanks Pete. Of course there was a sense of worry from our see-off crew as they were also interviewed by the Board. Had they missed something? Of course, they hadn’t. Noz Norrie, being an armourer, sort of took me under his wing after what happened, and it was great to be with him again when I went to XXV(F) Sqn in 2000. The gentlest of giants, sadly taken from us at far too young an age.
I really cannot see this interview being surpassed.
Great editing, and allowing Herbie to tell the story, his way, without interruption.
BZ
Wow, thank you!
@@Aircrewinterview I echo Alans comment, it is a skill to listen and not break Herbie's flow or take his thunder. Most interesting interview.
@@WOFFY-qc9te cheers. Absolutely, the guest should always be the focus/star of the chat and allow them to go with it as it makes for a better video.
Thanks again.
Dude you just narrated an entire book in vivid detail 😂 wow. Fantastic mate!
Amazing story and storyteller. It’s really nice to hear Herbie’s appreciation of the other roles that keep the RAF flying. Safety Equippers (Squippers) Armourers (knuckles drag on the floor 😅) and Fairies (guess the trade!). I served at Leuchars in the 90’s, amazing place, people….and beer calls. OMG, what a place to be when you’re young. Great interview and can’t wait for the next one! Cheers from a Fairy….the best trade 😂
I joined Tremblers in Jan 88 as Big Jengo. The St Andrews cross was spoken about in hushed terms but hearing the detail after all these years is fascinating. Great to see Herbie looking so well and see the old jets. Really good interview. 👍😎
Fantastic what an amazing story like how he credits everyone in the interview really enjoyed this one hope there will be more on ejection stories.
Cheers
What a Story. And he is such a cool Guy. Really love this VIdeo. GREAT JOB😍
What a fantastic story!
@JonHancock-go1tu
Firstly, I'd like say what an amazing tale you told. Secondly, how well you told it. Thirdly, I loved reading the way the newspaper articles inflated the time you spent in the sea! I wonder if the second journalist read the first article and thought he'd make it "better"?
I've read John Nichols superb book and it really does highlight the relentless search for perfection, dedication and unwavering skill of the Martin-Baker team. It gave a profound insight into their work that would otherwise be lost to us lay people. I used to work as a nurse in the NHS, so I've got a bad back from years of lifting patients. Perhaps it's a good thing the Cessna 152 that I fly nowadays doesn't have an ejection seat :D
Amazing - thank you for such a fine story so brilliantly told.
Brilliantly told. Enjoyed every minute!
Thank you!
Brilliant just brilliant...Dad was ground crew on 111
Brilliantly told! What an experience....
Fantastic survival story vividly recounted.
Brilliant. Thank you both.
What a lucid commentary. Excellent.
Great episode, I was locked into it the whole time!
I made a demonstration parachute jump into the sea south of Sydney, Australia.
I'd been given what resembled children's 'water wings' as floatation gear. I was wearing a helmet, a cotton jumpsuit, leather boots and two smoke cannisters on my ankles.
On the descent, I lost my floatation gear. After hitting the water, all the gear started getting heavy to the point where I was struggling to keep afloat. When a boat came to pick me up, they ran straight over the suspension lines of the parachute and in an attempt to extract themselves were ignoring my call for assistance. I could see me drowning twenty feet from the boat.
When I finally got in the boat, I was instructed to get out and untangle the lines from the propeller!
What a story teller!
He sure is!
Loved the story kept engaged the whole way through 👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome interview and story Herbie, and well done, Mike, for getting him to tell it!
Cheers Grinner!
Wow, what an episode! One of your best ever, although to be fair it's mainly Herbie 😂
😂 yeah I can’t take any credit! Herbie is a legend.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thanks.
Great story and storyteller!
Fantastic story! Thanks for sharing
Incredible story, another fantastic interview. 😀
Cheers!
That was a fantastic interview, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Cheers
What a great story and storyteller! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it.
excellent interview, and so glad he is here to talk about it
Cheers
Amazing, kept me glued to the screen.
Great to hear you enjoyed it.
Much awaited, much appreciated excellent insights as always from you.
Cheers
Excellent interview!!!
Cheers
Loved this one!
Cheers
And great story well told.
Riveting video!!! Thank you.
Cheers.
2:18 “Early on a Monday morning in the briefing room, mugs of tea in hand…” 😂 was a more quintessentially (modern) British sentence yet uttered?
Spot on :)
Cheers
Judging by the amount of time they spend in the bar, I'm surprised they don't collide more often! 😂
as ex phantom ground crew found it fascinating., never knew there was a 2 sticker, was the navs radar display removed because that was basically between his legs when in use, or was it just left in the stow position..
If I recall correctly, it was in the stowed position, but without the KD41 wet film recording system fitted over the B-scope display, but my memory may be failing me!
@@JonHancock-go1tu thank you
Having very limited formation experience in propeller aircraft (Pitts), I'd be interested to understand how a backseater (no matter how good) could be responsible for station keeping and collision avoidance.
Was there some standard language to direct the pilot?
Love to know more.
Great story, fascinating and detailed insight. What was the final outcome of the BOE? Presumably JH didn't carry the can for the mid-air?
I’m sure you’ll understand if I only comment on me. I was exonerated. Essentially, there was insufficient time for me to see what was happening, assimilate and assess it, communicate it, and then for my pilot to do the same, and act on it. The human factors folks (it was known as something else in those days) looked after me. I was criticised for banging the quick release box and wearing non-standard gloves, all survival related stuff. The accident became a case study in the Royal Air Force Flying Supervisors’ Course for many years after. My last F3 trip was in 2008, 21 years and approx 3000+ fast-jet flying hours later.
Would be great if you could get a british apache pilot on for an interview?
'Big day out' (pardon his pun)
So, what is that on the top cockpit canopy glass behind him ? Is it for heated glass, a radio antenna, or just a graphic design ?
It's an explosive chord to shatter the canopy on ejection.
As they say you meet your maker in a Martin - baker
I wondered how much more powerful the spey engine was
Than the J79
Done
After “Eject, eject, eject, don’t, don’t, don’t” sounds quite confusing and contradictory, what was the trigger for then pulling the handle?
As I said, I didn’t hear it. So it had no bearings on my sequence of events.
What was the outcome of the board of enquiry?
I’m sure you’ll understand if I only comment on me. I was exonerated. Essentially, there was insufficient time for me to see what was happening, assimilate and assess it, communicate it, and then for my pilot to do the same, and act on it. The human factors folks (it was known as something else in those days) looked after me. I was criticised for banging the quick release box and wearing non-standard gloves, all survival related stuff. The accident became a case study in the Royal Air Force Flying Supervisors’ Course for many years after. My last F3 trip was in 2008, 21 years and approx 3000+ fast-jet flying hours later.
@@JonHancock-go1tu Thanks Jon, as an ex liney I knew a few growbags that had been through BoE's must have been a pretty tense time.
@@andrewhenly9057 It wasn't great. Thankfully, the culture has changed (or is changing in some quarters), less 'blame' culture, more 'just' culture. I did one of the first BoIs from the other side (in 1996), where apportionment of blame was not part of the process.
What if you eject over 10,000ft MSL but the ground is at 9,800ft MSL? Will you hit a mountain sill in your seat?
Good question. If we were detached to operate over such high terrain, the barostat could be adjusted to take that into account and would operate at a higher altitude. In a similar mould, we would have different sets of survival equipment fitted into our seat packs.
@@JonHancock-go1tu sort of the same as our automatic activation devices on our reserve parachutes in skydiving. They fire our reserves if we are unconscious at about 750ft. But we can adjust if the ground level is different where we are jumping to where we took off.
@@Adam-Andrews-1725 Nice to know! During my career, more automatics were introduced into our safety equipment: live saving jacket auto inflation (though the drill was still to inflate manually) on contact with water in case of incapacitation, auto dinghy inflation, plus better seat features such as arm restraints and better leg restraint systems.
Your video was a perfect mix of education and entertainment.
Many thanks!
Amazing account Herbie! I was on 19 and remember the “incident” but to get the full back story is epic! Thankfully never needed the Martin Baker option but glad it all worked out for you guys!! As they say there but for the grace of God! Cheers “Throb” ex 19 Wildenrath. TDPU this year?
Hi, thank you! Sadly can't make this year's TDPU. Made the last two, and hopefully next year's.
I joined Tremblers in Jan 88 as Big Jengo. The St Andrews cross was spoken about in hushed terms but hearing the detail after all these years is fascinating. Great to see Herbie looking so well and see the old jets. Really good interview. 👍😎
Cheers Phil! Hope you're keeping well.