Name that ejection seat

[RMP2]

Oddball one this, looks more like some sort of prototype or demo model type affair rather than a true, functioning seat as it has no rails or any associated gubbins or mountings for the extra bits that they tend to come with.

However, it has been suggested that whatever it is, its a very early example.

There is just the one ID number on it from what I can see and its pictured below -

It didnt come with the cushions...

Rear view, not the best image now I see it on the PC, but those are "uprights" more than "rails", no guide in them -

Excellent for re-enacting Top Gun scenes -

And the only ID of any sort that Ive managed to find on it -

The handle on the right has a push button in the end that allows the user to raise or lower the seat if thats any help?

I can take more photos if required.

Any ideas?

Edited December 24, 2014 by RMP2

[Bonehammer]

The bare bones of a Martin-Baker Mk.2? The footrests throw me off.

[Troy Smith]

If it's bare bones, perhaps a demo model for aircraft mock up's ? right size, moveable to ensure proper British cockpit ergonomics 'just out of reach? perfect place'

Looks most like an early Martin Baker Mk2 as bonehammer notes, or a Mk I,

http://www.martin-baker.com/products/ejection-seats/mk1-9/mk1

you could ask Martin Baker directly, I asked question about the M.B.5 plane and they were helpful.

PS on the Mk2 page, the Sea Hawk seat has similar footrest, the Canberra and Hunter ones don't

http://www.martin-baker.com/products/ejection-seats/mk1-9/mk2

the pics supersize, lots of detail

[CharlieNZ]

Where is that part number located? I note it is an MBEU number which is a proper Martin Baker part number prefix.

However the seat lacks everything a real seat would need.

I think it is a mock up incorporating a few MB parts.

[RMP2]

Thank you, people, much appreciated.

I think the Mk1 is the closer of the two, just the oddball footrest that mine has is different.

I did try contacting MB a few years ago but got no reply. Wrong email address perhaps? If anyone has a known working address, that would be great.

The number is located on one of the rear uprights.

[RMP2]

A few more pictures, should the be any use -

You may just be able to make out the location of the MB number on the upright here -

[XV571]

I think your seat may be from a training rig intended to give pilots an impression of the 'kick' when ejecting. I found this on Tommy Thomason's blog:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wI-DdPSXymk/TU7BEH-3eVI/AAAAAAAABCI/OZZiFgOkf28/s1600/1946.jpg

and from www.ejection-history.org.uk (scroll down to about 2/3rds from the bottom):

http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/country-by-country/australia.htm

There'd only be a need for a simple harness to stop you falling out at the top of the 'ejection' ! You can see the seat in the pictures also has a similar footrest and lever to yours. From other pictures and descriptions I've read, they are either pneumatic or cable driven on a flywheel. When you pull the handle it shoots you about 20ft up the rails, just enough to give a feel for what would happen but not enough to compress your spine.

Jonathan

[RMP2]

I think you could be right, Jonathan.

Theyre the first and only photos Ive seen of a similar footrest arrangement, thanks very much for posting that up.

Im still a little confused by the lack of guide rails on the back though, unless the seat is simply a "Bitsa".

It had no stand with it originally, not to say that a stand couldn't have been removed, should it have been a static display type affair.

I reckon that test rig is a line worth pursuing.

[CharlieNZ]

That seat pan looks like it is authentic.

It is interesting that the number is on the uprights, because those uprights don't look like any main beams I've ever seen (for what that is worth) yet having an MBEU number would appear to suggest they are genuine parts from some kind of seat. Of all the components those were the ones I figured someone had made up themselves as part of cobbling together a seat from some bits they had acquired.

It doesn't have any of the other fairly important components a seat would need, such as a drogue gun, BTRU, HPRU etc etc.

Maybe some kind of trainer or mock up?

[RMP2]

Going back to this - does anyone think or know if it is worth anything much, or who would likely to be interested in buying it?

I have had interest in the past from museums who asked if I would donate it, but some extra funds right now would be more helpful to me.

[mackem01]

It looks too 'solidly' engineered to be a mock-up. Thinking that it's an original seat that has been gutted for some purpose.

[stever219]

I think I agree with Mackem01; this was quite probably a genuine seat installed in a first-generation jet (Canberra, Sea Hawk, Meteor, Wyvern, Attacker) and removed from the aeroplane when it was withdrawn from service.  It's then been cut down to make a useable piece of furniture with a degree of novelty value.  The seat pan definitely looks the part but the thigh guards have been cut back to make the seat suitable for use in a domestic environment.

 

What's it worth?  In all honesty whatever someone is prepared to pay for it.  To a collector it would be better in original condition, but to an interior designer its uniqueness (Have you seen any others?  Nor have I.) might be the selling point.