Friday Afternoon Puzzle – Aircraft Chair Identification

Nicko – thank you for the images.

That explains why the two Aus Beaufighters have different seats in the images I have seen.

Here are three photos of a Beaufighter Mk.21 Observer’s seat. In the background is a British built Observer’s seat – this would have come from an RAAF British-built Beau.
Sorry the UK-built seat wasn’t actually the subject of any of my photos, but you can see how it looks kinda the same, but definitely different. Earlier or later version?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]258224[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]258225[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]258226[/ATTACH]

As a confirmed geek I have continued searching for definitive proof.

As Worcs has said the Bristol inspectors stamp was interesting.

Looking at Bristol aircraft seats there is a family resemblance to other Bristol seats.

e.g. Beaufighter Observers seat
https://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?95610-Beaufighter-question
http://legendsintheirowntime.com/LiTOT/Content/1941/Beaufighter_Av_4112_sk_seat_p121_W.png
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Australia-Air-Force/Bristol-DAP-156-Beaufighter-Mk-XIc/1544489/L

But does not have the round structure on the base for bearings.

Sycamore pilots seat.

http://www.skyspotting.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/1DSC_9710-320×240.jpg

But none are exact.

The sprods are for lift the dot fasteners – but I learn they were in use from horse drawn carriage times – so no date suggestion there

WA the first thing I did when I found the Inspectors stamp with a B was to go through every Bristol made aircraft – irrespective that none of them had the correct model number. That included the Bolinbbroke Brabazon and Britannia etc

I could not find anything that matched. The pilot/copilot seats are shown here and the back of a crew seat.

http://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/freighter_walkaround.html

another one here
http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/JetAgeRMCB170G-BISU.htm

I was left to assume that it was a sub contracted part…

The combination of grey/blue paint and B also had me knee deep in Breguet for a while too.

I used to own a panel from a cockpit which had the same inspectors stamp. B. with a number under it in an oval stamp, it was eventually identified as from a Bristol Freighter, could be barking up the wrong tree but the panel had post war switches etc so yours could be post war. Your seat could have been a crew seat or something from a Freighter ? Maybe not pilots seat, cant find any pictures of inside of aircraft , unless anyone has any?

John if it is Proctor the 34 number would make it specific to that machine. In many other cases the earlier number pieces continue into later machines. 57 parts on Halifax 3 etc.. That would suggest that the design changed for the 111.

Also interesting that the Duxford Proctor is a Mk111 . Interesting to see what it has inside it.

Thanks for all your help.

FYI The paint colour is a close(ish) match to light aircraft grey.

Brian

The Flight photo shows one of about three radio installations in the Proctor. The pilot is sat in the normal position in this layout beside the radio. The radio op is sat further back out of sight on the swivel seat in debate.

This is another layout with a swivel seat whose construction is different to the pilots seating. I don’t know if the swivel seat had any variations between the Proctor 1-II-III and IV.

John

https://flic.kr/p/22JK6Xo

John thank you for the link to the drawing.

I have searched and found this image in flight global which shows the equipment.

https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1944/1944%20-%200776.html?search=proctor

But the chair is indistinct again uniform.

It is the best proposal that fits with all the evidence and number so far.

Thank you.

Thanks John I have continued checking but all I have so far is this one of the front seat from a Mk 111 restoration at NorthWeald.

taken from hive miner on internet so apologies to copyright owner.

Brian

The radio ops seat in the Proctor 1 to III is different to the pilots seats and is mounted on a swivel base. I don’t have a good photo of one. The Britmodeller photos are of a Proctor IV in a four seat comms layout. The attached drawing is from an early ATC magazine and omits the radio installation.

John

https://flic.kr/p/22KYVnk

John thank you.

The proctor pilot/copilot seat both have low back opening for belts and dives at the font for control columns.

The comfy backseat is too upholstered. The temp seat is uncomfortable and tubular. Cant see the need for a swivel.

I have zero knowledge of Proctors so I may be looking at wrong ones.

Pictures here
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234997823-percival-proctor-interior-questions/&page=2

Number is correct.

Also not a Dh34 either.

Proctor radio ops seat?.

John

Ian definitely not Storch or even the MS variant.

The measurements are all slightly more imperial than metric.

It looks British to me, by the style of the numbers and stamps. A good price, although as you say, not Storch!