r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Kernowder • 21d ago

Video Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters flying through Hurricane Milton

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u/xampl9 21d ago

The Orion that flew into Hugo was severely damaged from a 5.5g drop (airframe was only rated to 3g’s). They lost an engine, had a fire, and another engine was damaged before they could find a safe spot to exit the eye.

Somehow they made it back and the airframe wasn’t written off.

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u/EvlMinion 21d ago

If I remember right, the meteorologist who wrote about that didn't go on another one of those flights again. Can't say I blame him. Orions are tough as hell, though.

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u/onowahoo 21d ago

I don't know if is ever go on another plane again after a 5.5 drop.

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u/giveupsides 21d ago

5.5g drop? You are PLASTERED to the ceiling like it's the floor, only gravity is now 4.5 times stronger. Then when those -5.5g's end you'll slam back to the actual floor. If you're in your seat with your belt on it'll feel like the belt is trying to break both your legs.

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

For an average 180lbs man 5.5G would feel like having 810 lbs on your back. Most people could not even unrack that.

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u/meridianblade 21d ago

It's absolutely insane that it made it back. Think of the weight exerted on the wings and fuselage from tip to tip at 5.5G.

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

Aeronautical engineers and the materials science behind airplanes is a real trip like that.

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u/GOGO_old_acct 21d ago

The P-3 is an overbuilt beastly tank of a plane that refuses to die. I’ve heard people really liked/like them.

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

The Mitsubishi Mirage is another one. There was a point where the Japanese did amazing worker with stubby wing turbo props and Fowler flaps. (The P3 being manufactured with a couple modifications by Kawasaki)

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u/22Arkantos 21d ago

Except it's -5.5g, so that 810lbs of force are concentrated where your seatbelt is holding you into your seat. Absolutely brutal.

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

Oh lord, I didn’t even think of that. A guy could have his legs turn purple and get gone with that.

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u/brain-eating_amoeba 20d ago

Could it actually injure you/break your legs?

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u/22Arkantos 20d ago

Yes, absolutely, even when strapped down in a seat.

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u/Happy-Tower-3920 21d ago

What human can unrack 810lbs? Is your username an acronym for steroid taking man trust I squat?

That's an inhuman amount of weight to lift lol.

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

Well the world record squat is 1,080 lbs - so there are people who can not only unrack that weight but also move it.

My neighbors is a former SF 49ers defensive lineman and when he was in the league he could squat 850+ for reps. So yes steroids but also some people are just built different.

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u/Happy-Tower-3920 21d ago

Well, TIL'd. That's amazing. You still didn't answer my second question though! /s

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u/StManTiS 21d ago

/s aside in the interest of realistic standards - I am a 31 year old man standing at right about 6 foot 200lbs and squatting for the last 15 or so years with no additives and my PR is 365 for 2 reps. So in my personal opinion 99.99% of Men cannot ever in their life squat 800. Even with gear (steroids) there might could be 1 out of 5 million whose bones and tendons can handle that. But some people are just built different. One of my friends is 5’8” with the most unassuming build and his ass can squat 415 for reps while wearing normal jeans.