Gary F Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 Been trying to find a pic that was an inside cover picture in what I believe was a hardback 10th anniversary of the USAF publication. My dad had this book (actually it was 2 books) back in the late 50's. Blue covers, about 12x14 or so. When you opened the cover on one of them the two pages formed the pic. Had something to do with aeromedical research but the cat was floating in the back seat of an F-100. GIB took the pic while they were in 0 g so you're looking at the cat, paws spread floating against the back drop of the canopy. Anyone perhaps have those books or maybe seen that picture? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 This one? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 (edited) Think it was a T-33 or F-94? or ( Apologies to ALL ) maybe a Tomcat??? Edited August 23, 2019 by afoxbat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BN7149 Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 Who chose a cat? You might as well tie-wrap the trigger on a chain-saw and toss it around the cockpit! -Ryan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 6 hours ago, afoxbat said: or maybe a Tomcat??? Ha ha ha 😂 Good one!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted August 23, 2019 Author Share Posted August 23, 2019 Hi Parabat, Thanks. Not the same pic but similar. This will work though. The one in that book I mentioned was taken by the back seater so he’s not in the pic ... just the cat framed against the canopy, legs spread wide like he’s trying to right himself. Funny, it’s the only thing from those books I remember. As to why a cat ... was some kind of research relating to its sense of balance and how it might help pilots flying the new, fast jets. Remember, this was back in the late 50’s. Where did you find the picture? again, thanks Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 4 minutes ago, Gary F said: Hi Parabat, Thanks. Not the same pic but similar. This will work though. Where did you find the picture? again, thanks Gary Ah, right. I just typed in 'cat zero gravity' into an image search! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 1 hour ago, BN7149 said: Who chose a cat? You might as well tie-wrap the trigger on a chain-saw and toss it around the cockpit! https://www.nytsyn.com/archives/photos/1269725.html https://www.nytsyn.com/archives/photos/1103132.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted August 23, 2019 Author Share Posted August 23, 2019 Thanks. Much too obvious for my mediocre search skills ; ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 Did the F-94 have a pressurized cockpit? If not, that cat is probably unconscious at 24,000 feet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Pretty sure both were pressurized but not sure to what altitude. No pressure suits in the picture. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 (edited) Some interesting detail on these F-94C's in this book here (from page 52) Edited August 25, 2019 by Parabat Tidy up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Zoiks!! Fascinating stuff - all of it!! I’d wager the picture of the weightless cat was involved with the weightlessness experiments. Heady days back then too. Thank you for posting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 On 8/23/2019 at 10:52 AM, Parabat said: This one? A split-second after this photo was taken, the idea for the ejection seat was born. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted August 25, 2019 Author Share Posted August 25, 2019 Thanks again Parabat. I’d begun to think maybe I was remembering details wrong but I read further down the book link you provided and sure enough they also used a couple TF-100F’s in the 0g research. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob de Bie Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 Better use a dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NvBGb5lf78 I've seen it many times, but it still makes me laugh 😀 Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Another Soviet first!! Comrade cosmodog executes weightless maneuvers while becoming the first Russian dog in low earth orbit!! Thank you, Rob! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, ChernayaAkula said: A split-second after this photo was taken, the idea for the ejection seat was born. Oh, dear God, imagine having to eject with an animal like that, trying to save it as well....😲 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy said: Oh, dear God, imagine having to eject with an animal like that, trying to save it as well....😲 Well at least you know you'd land on your feet.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afoxbat Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 And who needs an ejection harness when you have claws? “ I’ll just hook up with the pilot’s chest......” Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BaconRaygun Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 If I'm not mistaken, this experiment was intended to shed light on how cats self-right themselves to land on their feet. That's why It's a cat and not some other animal. I believe what they discovered was that in zero gravity, the cat can no longer right itself... but they were able to see how the cat attempts to do so, and apparently it has something to do with the way they manipulate their tails. Many years later, Mythbusters did it too, and they did mention this experiment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grand Toad Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 God help us if PETA ever see that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 3 hours ago, Grand Toad said: God help us if PETA ever see that. Pilots for Elevated Tomcats in Aircraft ??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
okthree Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 On 8/24/2019 at 8:06 PM, afoxbat said: Pretty sure both were pressurized but not sure to what altitude. No pressure suits in the picture. No pressure suit, but looks like he is wearing a poopy suit. Maybe to guard against an angry cat with claws? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary F Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 It's not common now but back then declawing a cat was pretty common. Using declawed cat for these flights seems like a good idea. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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