Martian Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 I have the Kits World 3D interior set for the new Airfix Chipmunk. The seatbelts are a green colour according to Mrs Martian (my colour perception is very poor). However, blue is one colour I am not too bad with and when I was doing Air Experience flying with the Air Training Corps, circa 1975/76 I seem to remember that the seatbelts were blue. The aircraft were with No. 6 Air Experience Flight (Oxford University Air Squadron) and based at RAF Abingdon. Can anyone either confirm my memories or, alternatively tell me I am talking rubbish (No change there I hear from the cheap seats!) either will do as I just want to get my model right. Thanks in advance. Muddled of Mars 👽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 I think you're right. Various photos and references I have seem to indicate a dark blue or blue grey when faded with bright blue (anodised?) metal buckles. But I'm sure others who've flown in the real thing will confirm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 3 hours ago, noelh said: I think you're right. Various photos and references I have seem to indicate a dark blue or blue grey when faded with bright blue (anodised?) metal buckles. But I'm sure others who've flown in the real thing will confirm. Thanks, I haven't quite lost all of my marbles just yet! Relieved of Mars 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Do squirrels have seatbelts too? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 7 minutes ago, Mike said: Do squirrels have seatbelts too? Pretty sure they do https://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia-Navy/Aerospatiale-AS-350B-Squirrel/844159 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Swindell Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Martian said: I seem to remember that the seatbelts were blue. That's my recollection as well, parachute straps were canvas/tan colour and the seat straps mid blue @Rod Blievers should be able to give a definitive answer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 6 minutes ago, Dave Swindell said: Pretty sure they do https://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia-Navy/Aerospatiale-AS-350B-Squirrel/844159 Who names an aircraft "Squirrel"? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, Mike said: Who names an aircraft "Squirrel"? Some nut? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Mike said: Who names an aircraft "Squirrel"? It sounds more poetic in French, (doesn't everything?) "écureuil" 🐿️ Edited September 2, 2021 by noelh 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 12 minutes ago, noelh said: It sounds more poetic in French, (doesn't everything?) "écureuil" 🐿️ Does it sound better to a French speaker though? I've often wondered - some people find French very attractive "the language of love". How the French themselves feel about it? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 I remember them being blue from my ATC days too. Regards, Pete in RI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 I'll go along with blue. I recall them being so. Same as in the T.21 and T.31 gliders. in which sometimes they were black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Another vote for blue for the seat harnesses and buff for the parachute, I recall being briefed very firmly about which buckles to undo in the event of needing to carry out an emergency egress! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejboyd5 Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 They were blue, but wear items do get replaced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Blue in 1980 I recall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NORTHDUK Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 When I was in the ATC in the 1960s, the seat belts were a fairly bright blue. Humbrol do, or did, a paint called WW1 Blue and this was a close match to it. The circular quick release was pale gold in colour. The colour tended to wear off revealing a dull silver colour underneath. The whole interior of the aircraft was matt black. The parachute harness was a slightly greyish light brown colour, the canvas parts were a light khaki brown and the quick release box was black. We were repeatedly warned that, if the lower straps and cords were not assembled correctly, baling out would result in a sudden change of sex. We flew in our ordinary battledress uniforms but had to leave the beret on the ground. I hope this catalogue of trivial detail is of some use. Best wishes, Gordon McLaughlin 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 2 hours ago, LorenSharp said: Some nut? You walked straight into that one Mike! 1 hour ago, Mike said: Does it sound better to a French speaker though? I've often wondered - some people find French very attractive "the language of love". How the French themselves feel about it? In my experience, they don't talk about it, they just get on with it or was I just going with the wrong right sort of girl? 46 minutes ago, Wez said: Another vote for blue for the seat harnesses and buff for the parachute, I recall being briefed very firmly about which buckles to undo in the event of needing to carry out an emergency egress! I recall the briefing video. The first time I saw it, I walked out to the aircraft, not wondering whether I was going to die but how! 43 minutes ago, ejboyd5 said: They were blue, but wear items do get replaced. This is very true but it seems that blue wins the vote by a landslide. I now have to hope that I have some Eduard RAF Late Type seatbelts in stock. I bet I haven't. Martian 👽 Martian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 38 minutes ago, NORTHDUK said: We were repeatedly warned that, if the lower straps and cords were not assembled correctly, baling out would result in a sudden change of sex. Perhaps it was just as well that we had someone checking everything was correctly assembled as after that distracting film, I am pretty sure that had we had to leave the aircraft in a hurry, you would indeed be talking to Miss Martian now. Thankfully Mr Martian 👽 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 6 minutes ago, Martian said: You walked straight into that one Mike! Martian 👽 Martian In my defense, couldn't resist. How often do you get a perfect straightman line like that. There I said and dang proud of it. I shall now retire to the naughty corner once again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welkin Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Dave Swindell said: That's my recollection as well, parachute straps were canvas/tan colour and the seat straps mid blue. I would totally agree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 16 minutes ago, LorenSharp said: In my defense, couldn't resist. How often do you get a perfect straightman line like that. There I said and dang proud of it. I shall now retire to the naughty corner once again. I think the rest of us would have been grievously offended if you had resisted. This probably counts as time off of your sentence for good behaviour. Martian 👽 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 I think you are absolutely right. My recollection of the AEF's from Turnhouse and Leeming were blue/grey with blue buckles. It was a long time ago though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Blievers Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Here you go! My Chipmunk came out of the RAF in 1994, my brother-in-law's in 1974 - both have the same 5-point harness. All straps are black, with shoulder harness sheath a dirty buff colour. P1000556 by Rod Blievers, on Flickr P1000456 by Rod Blievers, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12jaguar Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 For info, on my Chipmunk which I'm statically restoring I have 2 set of harnesses 1 black and one bright blue. Both are original items John 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Here's a New Old Stock one dated 1960s I picked up for my Auster Rebuild, will need new webbing, but thats the original colour out of the wrapping HTH Cheers Anthony 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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