Re: Failed Windscreen Test

[pierson@gone.enet.dec.com (dave pierson)]

In article <6a60d7$ahu$1@mirv.unsw.edu.au>, G.Lambert@unsw.edu.au (Geoff Lambert) writes...

>"David Bennetts" <davibenn@pcug.org.au> wrote:

>>Interesting little anecdote on ABC radio last night about testing loco
>>windscreen for high speed train in Britain.  The testing procedure was
>>developed in the US for aircraft, and involved a cannon firing a chicken at
>>the windscreen at short range.  The British test was a dismal failure, the
>>windscreen shattered on impact and the bird punched right through the
>>driver's seat back, then smashed an instrument panel on the rear bulkhead
>>of the cab.  Disillusioned, consulted the US experts to find out what went
>>wrong.

>>The result - next time thaw out the chook!

>To me, it sounds like an urban myth or, if it was an Intercity train
>they were testing, an Interurban myth.

	The chicken gun is quite real, and a standard item in testing
	a/c and rr windscreens and a/c engines for response to bird strike.

	I Suspect the 'test fails from forzen chicken' bit to be UL.
	Its been floating around for 20 years, at least...

	[The originl version had Sevral Transatlatic Fone Calls,
	crosschecking piping sizes, pressure reservoir details,
	specifics of valve timing, etc, etc, in classic 'comic
	build up mode', before the shocked:
		O.  Thaw the chickens?
	]

thanks
dave pierson                        |the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
Digital Equipment Corporation       |the opinions, my own.
334 South St                        |
Shrewsbury, Mass USA                 pierson@gone.enet.dec.com
"He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J Raffles
"....the net of a million lies...."	Anon