Halifax- Parachute or cushion

I can speak from experience (:D) that getting into the pilot seat of a Halifax is quite a struggle and similar to ballet. And that
is without bulky flying clothing or a seat type parachute.

Hi John

It was along time ago now that I did my small survey but I do remember a lot of clip on chutes when there should have been seat types. That confused me as there isn’t any defined/alternative place for a pilots chute apart from the ‘spare’ stowage. In the end I had nothing definitive except for a feeling that Pilots were people and would probably have made up their own minds what they wanted to sit on on a grindingly long flight. And if they did have a soft cushion then I suspect that it would not have made the group photo.

In the end I went with the seat type for my model + Pilot.

Cheers
James

It doesn’t look like they did but thanks for dragging this old tread back up. I was amazed at the time with Halibag Phils attention to detail on his Halifax model but all went quiet and he disapeared. As far as I am aware we were never treated to seeing the finished model.

Hi James

Can’t recall if you came to a conclusion re the Stirling Pilot seat

John

Seat or Cushion?

I also had an issue with this with regard to the Stirling – So I looked at pictures of the crew for the answer, what sort of parachute were they taking into the aircraft? It may help to do the same for the Halifax?

James

Hi, I am looking for cushion here in Australia that is also fitted in the IWM cockpit, any idea?

I talked to Stu Thow about the intended finish on the Bomb Aimer’s seat/cushion for NA 337 and he said that the finish was specified as Black leather with a ‘Duck’ (?) finish.

Torn now between brown fabric and black leather. I think that it should probably be a dirty khaki brown but cracked and worn black leather looks good.

Phil

Phil,

Torn and weatherd black leather has usually some nice dark brown cracks or areas between the black. This would suit your purposes fine don’t you think?

Cheers

Cees

Hi

It seems that the more one looks at any item in the Halifax you begin to see all the changes from manufacture to fitting out in its career. The bomb aimer’s couch/seat for example. At least 3 different types.
1/ A basic mat
2/ A collapsible seat as shown in the AP above with some type of upholstery
( both of the above seem usual for bomber versions)
3/ Another pattern of collapsible seat minus upholstery in parachute glider types. A bomb aimer’s seat/mat no longer being required. The observation panel is also plated over on NA337 at least.
I am modelling a bomber and am going with number 2. Already made it in fact. Torn now between brown fabric and black leather. I think that it should probably be a dirty khaki brown but cracked and worn black leather looks good.

Thanks for all the great pictures guys

Cheers
Phil

It also depends on what type you are building. The early III’s had a simple cushion (like the version I am building) where the bomb aimer was lying on his belly. The later versions such as NA337 had the more comfortable seating arrangment.

Up to you Phil,

Cheers

Cees

No cushioning on the seat at the time this picture was taken.

At least that is the colour I chose

Cees

Phil,

Leather was used, but could be black or brown. My bet would be on the latter

Cees

Hello Deryck. No it is ok I wonder why they didnt use it. Let me know if they do use it as a display though. Would be nice to know it was not ust sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Hi

Hi Cees
Do you have any ideas for the colour of the bomb aimers seat/couch. Black leather or Khaki canvas.

Cheers
Phil

Hi Cees, I doubt they will be thrown out, but who knows when the project is completed and new folks move in needing drawing storage space!Right now the detail finishing of the interior is going on, oxygen piping, radios etc etc. There certainly are pics of the throttle box that were taken during the restoration, unfortunately the guy that took them has just had a knee op and will not be back for a while. I will see what I can find.
Deryck

Deryck,

What will be done with the drawings now the rebuild is finished? Keep them for LW170 (if raised) or will these be thrown into the bin (hope not, otherwise I would be interested in them)?

Any drawings about the throttle box or pics taken during the restoration of NA337’s throttle box showing the internals? I am desperate, can you tell 😉

Cheers

Cees

Hi Peter, They apparently did not use the prop hub from Nanton on NA 337. It appears to be still there, when I asked about it they thought they might be using it to demonstrate in a static display how the Hydramatic pitch change worked. If you want it back, now would be a good time to ask as Bill Tytula is driving out West on July 1st.
Deryck

Hey, really nice job Halibag-Phil. Cees he has set the bar quite high! You are going to have to do a lot of work to beat that. Are they Airfix, 1/72″ scale?
Cees, the guys are reinstalling the heater ducts right now, they could have used the model as a guide!
Deryck

Deryck,

Phil has set the bar very high indeed, I cannot top that. My model is 1/32 scale so a bit easier to work with 😀
The heater ducts are very well depicted by Phil. A great model.
I have copies of the original drawings for the heater ducts. Makes things much clearer than pics don’t you think.
Keep it up Phil, it gets better and better.

Cheers

Cees

Hey, really nice job Halibag-Phil. Cees he has set the bar quite high! You are going to have to do a lot of work to beat that. Are they Airfix, 1/72″ scale?
Cees, the guys are reinstalling the heater ducts right now, they could have used the model as a guide!
Deryck