Originally Posted by
Herod
Pilots John Waterton and "Spud" Murphy ejected, the latter at approx 300'. AEO John Tank survived. The other two rear crew were unable to disconnect their personal equipment connectors (a new type) in time and died in the crash. The Victor descended from 10,000' to ground level in approx 50 seconds. "Spud" later became Ops Director for Air Anglia/Air UK (and my boss)
Interesting that they'd installed ejection seats (at least for the pilots) in an aircraft with no military connections. I presume that was a specific mod for flight testing(?).
I know that Boeing has made provisions to allow the flight crew to bail out for the first flights of a new model (such as making a door operable in-flight for egress). I know the first 777 was fueled for the first flight to allow it to divert to Edwards AFB if needed for an emergency landing. But I'm unaware of them ever fitting ejection seats...