Daisy Track Waterbrake

Daisy Track Waterbrake. . The "Waterbrake" was part of the Daisy Track deceleration system. It was used to stop the sled at the end of the run and provide a very specific G-force (deceleration rate). The Waterbrake has a cylinder inside that is permanently closed at the back end and sealed at the open end with a plastic membrane. Holes were drilled along the top of the cylinder so water could escape when the Waterbrake was engaged. These holes could be plugged, allowing more or less water to escape for slowing the sled at different speeds. The front of the sled has a piston (look at the sled on display here at the track). As the sled was speeding down the track, the piston would enter the cylinder, breaking the plastic membrane and rapidly building up pressure and pushing the preset amount of water out of the Waterbrake cylinder and quickly stopping the sled., Fun Fact: On 16 May 1958, Captain Eli L. Beeding, Jr. inadvertently experienced an incredible 83 G's of deceleration during a test on the Daisy Track. Fortunately, he was in one of the safer "backward facing" test seats and only suffered sore vertebrae. He blacked out immediately, but recovered within 10 minutes., Captions , Water being ejected from the Waterbrake at the end of a deceleration test on the Daisy Track. , Acquired by trade from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH-NMMSH #87.003.007 and 887.003.039