Are there any old flight deck or ejector seats going spare?

[Agatha]

I am Honorary President of an Air Training Corps Squadron in Cheshire (Greater Manchester Wing, Northern Region) and we're trying to improve the 'cadet experience' provided by our Squadron Flight Simulator.

Currently we use an old car seat for the Flight Simulator so I've been asked if I could try and get something more appropriate and realistic!! Sadly we're not a wealthy Squadron so would hope to get the seat free of charge with us taking care of getting it to the Squadron and installing it.

If I'm honest, I haven't got a clue where to start :confused: so was hoping that there might be someone out there who could point me in the right direction.

Grateful for any suggestions, contact details etc.

Many thanks in anticipation :ok:

Agatha

[Stitchbitch]

Hi Agatha,

You could try ses-safety, they do a lot of ejection seat maintenance for private operators and might be able to help you with a seat, although you may have to pay for it. Perhaps some cadet fund raising might help in the purchase of a suitable seat? Survival Equipment UK | Parachutes | Ejection Seats Servicing | Liferafts (http://www.ses-safety.com)

The odd crew seat pops up on e-bay.co.uk , I think there are some Nimrod MR.4 seats going for a song.

Best of luck with your search.

[Agatha]

Really helpful Stitchbitch, many thanks! :D

[Capetonian]

I would suggest a letter (as in paper and envelope ... far more effective than email or phone) to the curators of the various aviation museums round the country. I suspect that they may well have stuff that isn't being put to use.

There's a list here : Aviation Museum Guide | News and guide to aircraft and aviation related museums and memorials in the UK (http://www.aviationmuseumguide.co.uk/)

As you're in Cheshire, what about Hawarden/Airbus, they may have something lying around that they would donate in return for publicity?

[Agatha]

Great suggestions Capetonian, thanks. We do have a potential link to Airbus so could be some mileage there.......

Thanks again

[Sandy Parts]

As you are Manchester based - maybe some Woodford old boys on here could suggest a likely source? I'll bet there were a few left after the MRA4 chop-up - wonder where they went...

[rugmuncher]

MB, Mk 9 and 10s available here:

EVERETT AERO SALES & SUPPORT. (http://www.everettaero.com/)

[salad-dodger]

I'll bet there were a few left after the MRA4 chop-up - wonder where they went...
They were sold. I remember there being links from threads on here.

S-D

[Sandy Parts]

SD - realise many were disposed of (same for the ones that made it to ISK in the sim). However, I thought there may be some that didn't get sold and were then eventually stored when Woodford closed? Bet there was all sorts of old stuff lying around the sheds there - we once borrowed one of their WWII vintage LPAS trucks from a dusty shed when one of our donks failed to start after a Families Day visit. (Shame it worked - we were on rates!) :p

[NutLoose]

Everrett are expensive from what I have seen, you would be better off with Air and ground who broke the Hercs of late, they also sell stuff by auction, you could give them a call, the site is here with thier auction site link

Disposal Activity - Air and Ground (http://www.airandground.com/disposal-activity/)

[NutLoose]

Herc and Grimrod ones are expensivve but 250 quid would pick you up an Apache item. which again is part of Air and Ground, so give them a call and see if they can help out.

Airframe & Components - Ex-MOD - Aircraft Spares (http://www.ex-mod-aircraftspares.com/shop/aircraft/airframe-components.html)

[Bob Viking]

An ATC thread on 5 Feb. Why does that date ring a bell with me?

BV;)

Ex 1069 Sqn (Wimborne, Dorset)

[teeteringhead]

There might just be a few more next year BV ;)

[Not_a_boffin]

Might also be worth a letter to the OC of the DSAE at Cosford. They must have some de-milled seats that get disposed of on a fairly regular basis.

[Agatha]

Many thanks for all the great suggestions and contact details - very much appreciated! :ok:

A

[Tashengurt]

Ejection seats are big heavy things and not the easiest to safely anchor without some fairly hefty engineering, You wouldn't want one falling on a cadet. Add to that they're expensive because there's a pretty good market for them.

Wouldn't you be better making an 'ejection seat' from MDF and then picking up a few accessories to add authenticity? I'm sure some old seat cushions and harness components etc would be less of a challenge to source.

[XH175]

Hi Agatha,


I have a Mk4 DS located in Worcestershire that I would be willing to loan out to the Squadron on a long term basis.


I have a plan to use it in a restoration in the long term so the loan conditions would be:


Condition and attached equipment - maintained as supplied with any work subject to my agreement to maintain the artefact history.
Loan period - ongoing.
Loan Fee - peppercorn i.e. £1 pa to establish ownership.
Pick up and return - Squadron cost.


The seat is from a Sea Vixen and is minus the parachute pack, seat harness and bladdered PSP but the rest is all present.


I will include a suitable PSP to provide seat base leaving you to fabricate a back cushion.


I'll dig out a picture of the seat later today if any interest.


Regards
Ross

[Agatha]

XH175 aka Ross

Wow! Thanks for such a generous offer - that's amazing!

Very grateful for a picture and rough idea of dimensions and weight.

Thanks again

Agatha

[12 twists per inch]

Contact the PRO at Shawbury, we've got loads

[Agatha]

Thanks 12 twists per inch!

E-mail sent so fingers crossed ;)

Thanks again

Agatha

[NutLoose]

Failing that Agatha, instructions on how to build a wooden sim one here

http://www.simpits.org/design/HowTo_AceIIseat/HowTo_Ace1.html

[Brian S]

Hi Agatha, you could try International Air Salvage at Cotswold Airport. They scrape/recycle numerous aircraft types and size.
regards Brian S

[Agatha]

Who knew there would be instructions on how to build a wooden ejector seat!!

NutLoose - simply brilliant thanks - because if all else fails, this could be a great solution :ok:

Agatha

[Agatha]

Thanks Brian S - great suggestion! :D

P.S. Welcome to PPRuNe ;)

[XH175]

H Agatha,s
Sorry about the delay - all my record photos only showed part views


Some centred new snaps


http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/IMG_0177.JPG


http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/IMG_0178.JPG


http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/IMG_0179.JPG


http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/IMG_0180.JPG


As to approx. dimensions


60" high
17" wide
24" deep


Weight - two thrumming veins on the forehead if you lift alone but easy lift for 2 people - approx. 35 kg.


Will easy fit into estate with rear seat down


Regards
Ross

[diginagain]

There may also be a number of Lynx seats going about these days, too.

[brokenlink]

Agatha, if you contact the:

Survival & Aerial Delivery (S&AD) Project Team
Defence Equipment & Support
MoD
Abbey Wood
Bristol.

Explain that you are an ATC unit, they may be able to help you as they are the Engineering Authority for Ejection seats and also consign them for disposal. However if you get an item through official channels you may have to have it on your squadron inventory.
If all else fails PM me as I think I remember a local unit wants to dispose of one, caveat is as above though.

Good luck.

[Agatha]

XH175, Ross

Very many thanks! Have passed all the info and images to the Squadron OC and will get back to you as soon as they've had time to consider your very generous offer.

Thanks again

Agatha

[Agatha]

Thanks brokenlink

Currently following up the very generous offer from XH175 but grateful for some ideas for Plan B or C if required!!

Agatha

[Agatha]

XH175

Apologies for the tardy response - the wheels in the Squadron grind a little slowly.

Great news though - they would LOVE :D to take you up on your extremely generous offer to loan the Squadron a Mk4 DS on a long term basis under the following conditions:

Condition and attached equipment - maintained as supplied with any work subject to my agreement to maintain the artefact history.
Loan period - ongoing.
Loan Fee - peppercorn i.e. £1 pa to establish ownership.
Pick up and return - Squadron cost.

We understand the seat is from a Sea Vixen and is minus the parachute pack, seat harness and bladdered PSP but the rest is all present. You also considered including a suitable PSP to provide seat base leaving the Squadron to fabricate a back cushion.

If you PM me with a timeline when the seat will be ready for collection and location, I can then arrange the transportation, fee etc

Many, many thanks on behalf of some very excited cadets!! :ok::D

Agatha