A big factor in the AEA mass growth was the persistent use of the Tornado on desert operations. At one point I think the standard load of water in the combat survival waistcoat grew to over 3 litres, with another 5 in the survival pack! Factor in pistol, ammo and PRC112 CSAR radio, and it's perhaps even clearer why Tornado would get a modified seat, but not the Hawk.
Even in peacetime, though, the AEA keeps getting heavier as redesigns increase the amount of fabric for fire-retardency purposes, because someone decided it would be a good idea to insist on RW and FJ crews all wearing similar kit (so the FJ kit has to meet RW fire escape criteria, even though this is not necessary with an ejection seat). Typhoon decided to ditch the UK standard flying kit a long time ago, and since then FJ AEA has not been done in a very integrated way... perhaps another symptom of the IPTs becoming PTs?
And a big factor in the aircrew mass growth was life at Bruggen. Especially on Fridays. Happy times...
Last edited by Easy Street; 2nd Mar 2014 at 15:41.