Shamelessly Stolen From Elsewhere

[Pete44ru]

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Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch standard 4 pound dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity.
The idea was to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.


British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new high speed trains.
Arrangements were made, and a gun was sent to the British engineers.


WHEN THE GUN WAS FIRED, THE ENGINEERS STOOD SHOCKED AS THE CHICKEN HURLED OUT OF THE BARREL, CRASHED INTO THE SHATTERPROOF SHIELD, SMASHED IT TO
SMITHEREENS, BLASTED THROUGH THE CONTROL CONSOLE, SNAPPED THE ENGINEER'S BACK-REST IN TWO, AND EMBEDDED ITSELF IN THE BACK WALL OF THE CABIN, LIKE AN ARROW SHOT FROM A BOW.


THE HORRIFIED BRITS SENT NASA THE DISASTROUS RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT, ALONG WITH THE DESIGNS OF THE WINDSHIELD AND BEGGED THE U.S SCIENTISTS FOR SUGGESTIONS.

NASA RESPONDED WITH A ONE-LINE MEMO;







"DEFROST THE CHICKEN."


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[Old No7]

Funny one...

My twin worked at G.E. Aircraft Engines for a few years, after going through their machinist apprentice program, and he ran that "chicken gun" several times when he worked in quality. They would shoot defrosted chickens at the engines to check the impact (pun intended) on the rotor vanes and other key parts (for simulated "bird strikes").

He used to tell that story too, so it could just be either NASA or GE lore -- although I suppose there could be a gem of truth behind it too.

Old No7