Gp Capt Tony Barwood, Obituary

[Gainesy]

Aviation Medicine Specialist in Aircrew Escape and Survival.

Group Captain Tony Barwood - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2979212/Group-Captain-Tony-Barwood.html)

[Chugalug2]

As a trainee JP pilot 1960-62 I remember the initial nervousness of sitting on the MB Mk4P seat giving way to the feeling of security that it engendered. Even at that early period of my RAF career I knew that a lot of that security was down to the cold blooded courage of the RAF Doctors at Farnborough. Rest in Peace Sir, and thank you for your selfless devotion to duty on behalf of we aircrew.
Sad to say the feeling above became somewhat dissipated as the ejection seat gave way to a parachute on the Varsity and then to nothing at all on the Hastings and the Hercules. Some rot about demoralizing the pax if they saw the crew wearing parachutes while making their way slowly aft towards the escape exit!

[Madbob]

Chug, at least when you got your hands on a C130 they were relatively new! I did my JP bit in 1979 - 80 and then METS on Jetstreams. Think what the aircrew flying them now must feel - still no 'chutes!!:bored:

Unlike some unlucky ones though my tally of landings though is still equal to take-offs!:ok:

MB

[taxydual]

Never met or heard of the guy.

That obituary, although small, stopped me in my tracks. In my mind, in my own 'Hall of Fame of Unsung Heroes', there's a new brass plaque.

RIP and Thank You.

[blaireau]

The major change made to the ejection seat was a seat pan moulded in plastic to suit the average 1960's posterior. It was known as the "Barwood Bum". Subsequent seat designs incorporated a beaded cushion which took up the individual contours as opposed to the average.

His Aertex flying overalls were a huge improvement over the others then available. They also came in a natty white version for max solar reflection.

Had a memorable evening with Tony in the bar at Muharraq back in '70.

RIP

[soddim]

Like Blaireau I have great respect for the work Tony did for the safety of aircrew - and their comfort. I was specially selected to try his new 'bum pack' in the early 60's - selected only for the reason that I had the shortest back he could find. Together with the longest back I spent a day with him at Farnborough and was impressed both with the product and the man.

RIP

[Sir George Cayley]

Pleae excuse the civvie intrusion.:cool:

But the CAA are inviting nominations for a safety award on their website.

A posthumous one doesn't appear to be ruled out. So perhaps a fitting memorial to someone deserving could be arranged?

I'll leave it with you.

Sir George Cayley