The Red Arrow Case in a Nut Shell
What do we know ?
(1) Early 1980s, Martin Baker recommend shrouds over firing handles, MoD decide not to fit them.
(2) 1983 MoD offered a retrospective shroud on the Hawk which was refused.
(3) Drogue/Scissor jamming can be caused by a least two events (a) over tightening of the bolt, (b) geometrical lock.
(4) In 1990 gas shackle was being fitted (Court evidence)
(5) Mod offered for Hawk was offered all round the world, none has taken it up. (Court evidence)
(6) MoD regarded risk as being 1 in 115 years (Court evidence)
Now let's join the dots together
(1) Around 1990 the possibility of jamming because of bolt over tightening became known about, so the gas shackle was introduced.
(2) The gas shackle was fitted to all seats leaving the factory from that time. This explains Canadian Hawks and Mirage III fits
(3) Martin Baker offered up a modification to all users for in-use seats; it was not taken up; probably because of costs.
(4) Mitigation was to ensure no over tightening.
(5) Around 1997 it was decided to upgrade the parachute on Tornado seat (Mod 2198). This required re-qualification trial by MB
(6) During the course of these trials (1998) a shackle jam occurred, but this time due to a geometric lock.
(7) This could not be ignored, so gas shackle modification became part of Mod 2198
(8) Gas shackle modification eliminated the two known causes of scissor shackle jamming on RAF Tornado.
(9) 2002, review of the trials programme for Mod 2198 issued by QinetiQ. Customer Ref No. suggests that tasking was made in 1997.
(10) Gas shackle modification not read across to RAF Hawk T1s flown by Red Arrows ( suspect cost and low risk; 1 in 115 years)
(11) All RAF Tornado a/c modified (Mod 2198) between late 2007 and early 2012 (latest). No mention of gas shackle just parachute upgrade.
(12) 8th Nov 2011, Flt Lt Cunninghan initiates ejection sequence after strap misrouted through firing handle.
(13) Flt Lt Cunningham died when parachute failed to deploy because of one of the jamming causes (over tightening of bolt)
(14) November 2011 (after accident) MB issue SIL 704, making it clear that there was not an issue with gas shackle seats.
(15) SI panel examines evidence including references to Tornado zero/zero ejection problems and gas shackle.
(16) Final SI report, supervised by MilAAIB, makes no reference to Tornado ejection problems and gas shackle.
(17) No mention of Tornado ejection problems and gas shackle at inquest.
Bottom Line
Had Flt Lt Cunningham's seat been fitted with a firing handle shroud the ejection sequence would not have been initiated. Had his seat been fitted with a gas shackle he would have survived the ejection, perhaps with two broken legs, but he would have survived.
What has Martin Baker done wrong? Martin Baker hold the Ace, King and Queen of trumps, so why did their Defence QC not play them on 13th Feb 2018? Was someone holding a gun under the table. Sincerely hope that the Judge sees through this farce.
DV