As an ex matelot (24 years before the mast). When ever I flew Crab Air, and in those days it was a VC10. All the seats faced to the rear. Was this mearly a milatary thing or did the civvy versions also have rear facing seats. Also when I flew out of Gib the seats opposite me by the (let me out quick) exit also faced to the rear. This I can see was to give the space by the door to do a runner when the plane got in to difficulties. This was on a Dan Dare 737 I believe.