Abstract: A container delivery system by which cargo containers are dropped from an airplane in which release gates are generally centrally positioned and longitudinally spaced in the cargo space of the airplane. The containers are secured forwardly and rearwardly by straps extending thereacross from one athwartship aircraft portion to another, generally from one outer side to the center. Release gates are generally positioned in central longitudinal rows so that the containers may be dropped out of a rear door when the door is opened, and the containers are released by opening the release gates which secure the straps to the central portion of the aircraft. A release gate secures one end of a rearwardly holding strap so that the one end of the strap is freed to allow respective containers to move rearwardly on rollers in the aircraft deck when the respective gate is opened.

Abstract: A winch cable driven retrieval apparatus for retracting static lines slidably mounted on a fixed anchor cable or the like, wherein a retrieval spool is slidably mounted on the anchor cable and is attached to a winch cable through a pair of attachment members extending from opposite sides of the spool. The points of attachment are carefully chosen such that an imaginary line extending therebetween intersects the anchor cable and preferably the centerline of the anchor cable.

Abstract: A tow plate including a retention assembly and a removable clevis assembly made up of a main clevis member and a drogue clevis member engageable with the main clevis member. A first latch mechanism latches the main clevis member to the retention assembly. A second latch mechanism latches the drogue clevis member to the main clevis member. To effect force transfer, the entire clevis assembly is released by unlatching the main clevis member from the retention assembly, with the drogue clevis member latched to the main clevis member. To effect drogue jettison, the drogue clevis member alone is released by unlatching it from the main clevis member, while the main clevis member remains latched to the retention assembly.

Abstract: A floor mounted rotatable arm assembly which supports a removable parachute holder. A release mechanism operates the parachute holder to release a parachute after the arm assembly has been rotated from a stowed position faired with the floor of the aircraft cargo space, wherein the parachute is face-up, to a deployed position aft thereof, wherein the parachute is face-down and available for release.

Abstract: A seal assembly for covering the structural opening in the side of a vertical stabilizer, through which extends a structural member for pivotally mounting a flying horizontal stabilizer to structure within the vertical stabilizer retards or prevents ambient air flow between the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal stabilizer. A seal plate is affixed to the inner end of the horizontal stabilizer, is faired into the upper and lower horizontal stabilizer surfaces, and extends outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse to the horizontal stabilizer. The shape of the periphery of the seal plate is chosen at a predetermined position of the horizontal stabilizer so as to equidistantly space the periphery of the seal plate from that portion of the outer surface of the skin of the vertical stabilizer underlying or adjacent the periphery of the seal plate. A resilient, flexible seal member is affixed to the periphery of the seal plate and engages the surface of the vertical stabilizer in sealing engagement.