Ejector seats, whats the difference?

Many thanks Philip.

Another article which quotes the Mk.2b as having no footrests, yet the pilots notes and picture i have state differently. Early and late versions perhaps..

Many Mk.2 seats were modified to remove the footrests and introduce leg restraint lines instead.

I’ve scanned the page from AP.129 that gives the differences between variants of Mark 2 seats, it’s at: http://www.btinternet.com/~philip.morten/AP129_Vol1_Part1_Sect5_Chap5_Table2.pdf. Hope this helps.

Many thanks Philip.

Another article which quotes the Mk.2b as having no footrests, yet the pilots notes and picture i have state differently. Early and late versions perhaps..

I’ve scanned the page from AP.129 that gives the differences between variants of Mark 2 seats, it’s at: http://www.btinternet.com/~philip.morten/AP129_Vol1_Part1_Sect5_Chap5_Table2.pdf. Hope this helps.

I imagine you’ve see this, but just in case…

http://www.martin-baker.com/Products/Ejection-Seats/Mk–1-to-Mk–9.aspx

Doesn’t give detailed breakdown of what was in which sub-variant but describes various updates throughout seat life.

I’ve got a MkI of some description but it’s at my parents’ house at the moment. I can take some pics when I’m next down there if that would help you.

Many thanks..

I imagine you’ve see this, but just in case…

http://www.martin-baker.com/Products/Ejection-Seats/Mk–1-to-Mk–9.aspx

Doesn’t give detailed breakdown of what was in which sub-variant but describes various updates throughout seat life.

I’ve got a MkI of some description but it’s at my parents’ house at the moment. I can take some pics when I’m next down there if that would help you.

In a “nutshell” the Mk1 seat just got you out of the aircraft. Preparation to eject and release of seat was up to the pilot.

The Mk2 automated the sequence a bit more.

In detail the Mk1 had a ML attachment to give automatic operation of the safety harness release box. Pilot had to kick clear of the seat to trigger the baro parachute device.

Early Mk1 seats did not have leg restraining gear but this was later retrofitted.

Mk.2 provided auto seperation from seat for battle injury/unconsciousness. Leg restraints incorporated.

Mk.2B had Mk.13A parachute and slots in thigh guards for control locks. No footrests.

Mk.2E had either Mk.13A or Mk.8A parachute. Fixed thigh guards, no slots.

Regards
Ross

Ross,

I have a pic of either a Mk.1B or 2B and it shows it with footrests, also the pilots notes states for the pilot to put feet in footrests when preparing to eject. Also it states a Mk.8a parachute pack for the Mk.2B seat.

The specific differences that i can see are a different headrest pad and drogue container but i cannot be sure.
Seams like the seats are a minefield of possible differences.

Rob.

In a “nutshell” the Mk1 seat just got you out of the aircraft. Preparation to eject and release of seat was up to the pilot.

The Mk2 automated the sequence a bit more.

In detail the Mk1 had a ML attachment to give automatic operation of the safety harness release box. Pilot had to kick clear of the seat to trigger the baro parachute device.

Early Mk1 seats did not have leg restraining gear but this was later retrofitted.

Mk.2 provided auto seperation from seat for battle injury/unconsciousness. Leg restraints incorporated.

Mk.2B had Mk.13A parachute and slots in thigh guards for control locks. No footrests.

Mk.2E had either Mk.13A or Mk.8A parachute. Fixed thigh guards, no slots.

Regards
Ross

and it’s possile to convert one variant into another with the right bits.

Except a 2D “nutcracker” seat 🙂

Jon

You’ll find that the Mk2 beam assembly is pretty much the same on all seat variants. As regards to the rail, what may differ is the positioning of the static trip attachments for the BTRU and drogue gun. Any Mk2 seat should certainly run on any Mk2 rail.

Most parts are interchangeable between seat types and it’s possile to convert one variant into another with the right bits.

Thanks for the input Mark. Its really the actual fitting of the seat that concerns me such as the rails it slides down on, but as i don’t have a cockpit to use as a pattern i’m stuck!:confused:

Off the top of my head I don’t know the specific differences between the two seats you mention but you will often find that seats of the same mark are basically similar in design. The differences are only usually minor variations in fittings etc. to make the basic seat applicable to the design of the cockpit in question.

For example, the emergency oxygen bottle may be mounted on one side of the seat for one aircraft, and on the other side for another depending on where the auto-activation connection is located in the cockpit. Another example might be that the height adjusting lever is straight on one, but cranked upwards slightly to clear side consoles or other cockpit fittings in another aircraft.

As a specific example the Mk.2E you mentioned is a Meteor seat and is basically identical to the Mk.2H of the Hunter apart from a slight variation in the depth of the head box.

I appreciate that doesn’t really answer the question but my point is that most of these seats do look very similar as you’ve said. In many cases they use standard components (and un-used mounting holes are to be found all over the place) so one type of seat can often be converted to another with the relevant fittings.