Originally Posted by
Lordflasheart
Not quite 'privately' operated vintage jets - but quite relevant to this discussion ...
Perhaps Martin Baker would have been better advised if they had also withdrawn support for the Scissors Shackle seats in the Hawk when MoD refused to upgrade them to Gas Shackle - but allowed the upgrade for Tornado etc.
Look where that got MBA - A cheapskate decision by MoD plus poor management and maintenance plus lies to everyone etc. Despite adequate evidence of all those and more - the only folks who got blamed and caned for the death of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham when his seat didn't work properly (XX177 - 8th November 2011) were Martin Baker, who were evidentially squeaky clean.
Still wondering what pressure was put on MBA to plead guilty when they weren't.
LFH
MBA was railroaded by one of their customers over the MK10B1 seat event of 2011. The company took a hit for the team in the inquest which should not have happened, and the parties that benefitted were the DOD staff that had refused to upgrade per MBA recommendation. In the subsequent HSE prosecution, less than full candour was exhibited by the crown, over material facts that would have absolved MBA, evidence was belatedly presented to the court. which was conveniently disregarded by the court in its decision. MBA had its reputation tarnished by its customer, who just happened to be the crown.
As to withdrawal of support for private older seats, there were and are alternatives that could have been entertained that would continue to provide an escape mechanism for that group of operations, and the removal of support results in the removal of many of these types from display. It will be quieter where in spite of relief being available for the operator to assume their own risk, it becomes unacceptable to the operator.