hacker Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 l believe this is a good as place as any to ask a question. The standard USAAF seat belts you find in say a Mustang or Thunderbolt was carried over with the creation of the USAF. My question is how long did they use that system? l know there must be newer version now but it seems to me it was used for great period of time. Why l am asking is l got several 1/48 projects on the got including a OV-10A Bronco which from my point of view used that same belts as the mustangs did. l am l right or am l wrong? Hacker.....fasten your belts this is going to be a bumpy ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 I doubt that the same belt system used in WW2 was reused on ejection seats... of course from a modeling point of view whatever belt is close enough would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 They initially used the same lap belts on USAF ejection seats, but when they went to belts that automatically released during ejection they became noticeably different. Regards, Murph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 I've found this if it helps? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hacker Posted July 16, 2019 Author Share Posted July 16, 2019 4 hours ago, Murph said: They initially used the same lap belts on USAF ejection seats, but when they went to belts that automatically released during ejection they became noticeably different. Regards, Murph l figured on 1950 jets up to maybe just before 1960? Who really knows but it was an interesting question to ask Hacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnie Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 Well, finally something I can answer a little about! The F-5A with the Norair seat still had the original wide web belt with the large latch in the front, and nylon loops for the shoulder harness. They had a piston to open the belt, that used gasses from the ejection system to open the belt after ejection. The high and low altitude system consisted of a hook to attach to the parachute handle, that had to be removed or attached, depending on altitude. The same system was on the Lockheed C-2 seats used in the F-104. The F-16 and subsequent series use a different lap belt, as the parachute harness is worn by the pilot, and the parachute itself is attached to the seat. The Martin Baker systems used on British and Canadian aircraft use the harness included on the seat, but they have a MB buckle for the belt. The Bell mediums and heavies I have personally flown (Bell 205/212/214ST) Still keep the original belts, either in Black or Grey. Wide lap belt and narrow shoulder harness. With prescribed leather flap under the buckle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hacker Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 26 minutes ago, Winnie said: Well, finally something I can answer a little about! The F-5A with the Norair seat still had the original wide web belt with the large latch in the front, and nylon loops for the shoulder harness. They had a piston to open the belt, that used gasses from the ejection system to open the belt after ejection. The high and low altitude system consisted of a hook to attach to the parachute handle, that had to be removed or attached, depending on altitude. The same system was on the Lockheed C-2 seats used in the F-104. The F-16 and subsequent series use a different lap belt, as the parachute harness is worn by the pilot, and the parachute itself is attached to the seat. The Martin Baker systems used on British and Canadian aircraft use the harness included on the seat, but they have a MB buckle for the belt. The Bell mediums and heavies I have personally flown (Bell 205/212/214ST) Still keep the original belts, either in Black or Grey. Wide lap belt and narrow shoulder harness. With prescribed leather flap under the buckle... The last part is interesting . Never thought Helicopters. Wonder if that extended to the Cobras as well? Hacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnie Posted July 17, 2019 Share Posted July 17, 2019 Yeah, the cobra had the same belts, up to the Whiskey Cobra for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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