What made the Supermarine Scimitar dangerous to its pilots?
Short answerIts escape system made underwater egress extremely difficult, and later Fleet Air Arm aircraft quickly offered better capability.
NotesThe Scimitar did not provide a reliable way to eject through the canopy after going over the side. Commander John Russell's aircraft entered the sea when an arrestor wire broke after an otherwise successful landing aboard HMS Victorious. Russell opened the canopy underwater but remained trapped by seat and survival-equipment restraints. The fatal accident exemplified weak pilot-survival provisions in an aircraft soon overtaken by the Sea Vixen and Blackburn Buccaneer.