Re rear facing seats. The RAF transport fleet was always fitted out with this configuration, allegedly on safety grounds. Is this still the case? The theory was that in an impact you would be cushioned by the seat rather than slamming into the one in front.
Questionable assertion of higher safety! Facing the rear, you are going to get all flying objects full in the face. In addition, under high 'g' loads, your hinged seatback IS going to collapse, with the full weight of your body on it plus the weight of the seat back. I would rather try my luck in a forward facing seat in the brace position where only the weight of my body, restrained at the lap, was pulling on the seat. Nobody has ever proved that rear facing seats provide any more sucurity, and I believe they most certainly don't.