The Suits worn by the Test Pilots of the TSR2

Moderator Message

I’m getting a bit bored of moving your threads into Historic Aviation, mate.

Please post in the correct forum in future.

Thanks

GA

I do apologise!

I’m getting a bit bored of moving your threads into Historic Aviation, mate.

Please post in the correct forum in future.

Thanks

GA

TSR2 Historic??? Makes me feel bloody old…………..

It’s an interesting point, though. The Blackbird appears here, which I don’t feel is historic, yet. So is the definition of an historic aircraft, for the purposes of the forum, one which is no longer in active service? What about non-military aircraft? Moderators please clarify for this newish member.
Thank you.

I think that the only place you’ll see TSR.2s and SR.71s are museums – so surely ‘historic’ is highly appropriate! 🙂

I think that the only place you’ll see TSR.2s and SR.71s are museums – so surely ‘historic’ is highly appropriate! 🙂

Well that sounds as good an explanation as any. Thanks.:)

Ever studied the photos of Beamont and Moneypenny? Have you noticed the specialist pressure suits that they are wearing?

I have never seen one – what became of their suits and does anyone have any better photographs of them?

Sorry everyone, my mistake – Perhaps my question concerning Flying Kit would be better asked directly to Hendon or on a Flight Gear Forum – Flying Clothing does seem to be a science in itself.

Kindest Regards
FS

Good Thread Hijack. :rolleyes:

Might also be worth using the ‘search’ facility on here as you’d find all sorts of information about this ‘much loved aircraft!’ 😀

Interesting this one, I have had a look at the ‘standard’ published photographs of RPB and Jimmy Dell in their flight gear either doing pre-flight checks or getting ready to climb aboard.

I feel that they are not wearing ‘pressure suits’ as such because the cuffs and collars appear loose and in no way fix to the gloves or helmet, the photo of Jimmy Dell shows him holding his MK.2 bone dome that he used when flying the lightning.

The differences in the suits appear to be in the webbing and harnesses for strapping to the ejector seat, did the test flights involve the requirement of a ‘pressure’ or ‘partial pressure’ suit?, Lightning pilots did not use a pressure suit (only a Taylor partial pressure helmet for high altitude work) and the TSR-2 was not expected to exceed the Lightnings altitude capability’s by that much.

Would like to know more about this subject as it seems to have little coverage in my stuff.

Regards,

John.

TSR2 Historic??? Makes me feel bloody old…………..

Me too, mate.

Such, alas, is life…… 🙁

I agree that the suits were special to this aircraft, indeed the arm restrains would have a similar function to the leg restrains during ejection, the suits themselves were probably not designed for high altitude flight as the test program had not reached that stage prior to cancellation.

The first foray into altitude would have involved the Taylor partial pressure helmet and then for sustained high altitude work then I feel a more substantial suit would have been designed, much akin to the U-2 style flight gear.

No doubt they would have used pressure trousers for high ‘g’ loads but again would there have been call for anything more at the time as the test program was not yet in full swing?.

Could these suits have been standard kit but with mods to incorporate the special straps and restraints for the ejection seat?

All very interesting stuff!

John.

Hello John,

The suits look more akin to a pressure jerkin dont they? Only the lifejacket flotation stole seems to be encased in a blast proof nylon, with the burst zip closure and in colour photos a red beaded operating handle for the Co2 bottle. Also, there does seem to be arm restraint cord.

A special suit for a special aircraft indeed! I wish more photos were available to us.

Many thanks for your useful comments.

Kindest regards

FS

If it is any help here is a surviving TSR-2 seat.

No expert on these things but might be of use?

curlyboy

Mmmm… Nice seat !

Was this taken at Coventry?

Thanks for posting anway curlyboy! Must find my old video with crew footage.

TSR 2 seat at F.A.S.T. Museum, Farnborough.

I seem to recall that there is a complete TSR 2 seat in the F.A.S.T Museum Farnboroughs collection along with a splendid array of pressure helmets.

There is also a saved cockpit section at Brooklands.

On a side note, Corgi have recently brought out a limited edition 1:72 scale TSR 2 …quite a gem really!

Fly Safe

TSR2 Helmets

The Mk2 helmets used in TSR2 were not of standard fitment, quite like the suits.

This TSR2 helmet belongs to a firend of mine, I’m sure he won’t mind me sharing these images.

The helmets had a special visor arrangement, see photos:

The little hoop at the back of the visor hinge housing was to attach onto a lanyard from the seat. Upon ejection, the helmet is pulled back, and the visor snaps down.

—-

I have a Helmet realted to TSR2, It’s the one in my Avatar. It belonged to Len Dean, head of aircraft development aircraft at Warton. Here is an image of him on July 8th 1964 wearing it near the undercarriage of TSR2 on an engine test:

And here’s Len Dean’s helmet now, it’s a standard Mk2a:

All of my photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Scott.Bouch
The TSR2 helmet photos are in the folder from Cockpitfest 2009

This could be a very interesting discussion…
Cheers, Scott.

Ahhh TG’s helmet collection……very nice:D

Regards,

JB.

If you find any more info on this matter, do keep us poatsed. I’m still working on my TSR2 book for Ian Allan until the end of the month, so any snippets are always useful. See also my separate thread re-photos… still on the scrounge!:D

dont suppose you want piccies of relics old chap? I have one the extractor chute’s from the flyer, HDD, my prized control stick, flap hinge from the one that hit the bridge, a gauge…..now that my Corgi TSR2 model has arrived….I HAD planned to photo it all as an ensemble…however, the model delivery slippage time meant I got it sent to my parents! lol!