This is the A-3 lifeboat that was dropped from B-29s. It has a 20hp motor and could carry 15 people - it was developed in 1947 and the "SB-29s" would circle off the coast of Korea and drop these for crews that could not back it back from missions - and had to ditch - in the Korean War.
I assume that the trailer was aftermarket?
ReplyDeleteI caught a ride in a Navy P-3 from Japan to Korea. We were given parachutes and told life expectancy in the water at that time was about 15 minutes. I wonder if these saved anyone.
ReplyDeleteACCORDING TO A GOGGLE SEARCH:
ReplyDeleteThe A-3 lifeboat did not actually save lives in the traditional sense, as it was primarily designed for airborne rescue operations during the Korean War and Vietnam War. While it was capable of rescuing up to 15 people, there are only some rare reports of successful rescue missions with the A-3 lifeboat, indicating that its effectiveness in saving lives was limited.
The RAF was dropping life boats from modified Vickers Warwicks in the North Sea from 1943 onwards to save bomber crews.
ReplyDeleteAl_in_Ottawa
I wonder what the success rate of the boats landing upright in the water. Buttered toast comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteThey always landed trailer down.
Deletei'd rather have a dedicated seaplane looking for me instead...
ReplyDeleteEven crazier than this (not really) was a one-Man, Folding Helicopter that could be Airdropped to downed Aviator. They were designed (I think) during the Korean War, uncertain if they were ever used. There is one on Display in the Smithsonian Air/Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia.
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