Puma crewman harness info
 

Hi all. I’m building a 1/32 Puma and I’m at the stage of making a crewman. I’m doing a cab from the early 90’s. Has anyone got information or photos of the method that the crewman was attached to the cab please, ie a belt or vest etc…

Also if a pax was also unseated was there a similar harness or a pax version if somebody was in the door way whilst flying.

Thanks for any help.

If late 80s will do...

Like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164992651...6&toolid=10001

only khaki beige in colour, and a slightly different attachment clasp- double barrier to undo, rather than the pin.

Almost always attached to the ring on the MGB, giving enough length to get into the jump seat. An instructor would suit himself as to whether to use the MGB or a floor ring. Can honestly not remember a pax in a dispatcher's harness.

CG

Strange; In the seventies we stopped the crewmen doing that and made them attach it to the floor.

The reason was quite simple. A French Army Puma was carrying a jeep underslung when the bottom plate of the gearbox fractured. The jeep fell taking the gearbox ring and the crewman through the load hatch.

A certain navigator ​​​​​​ crewman later managed to self induce a trip headfirst down the load hatch, thankfully without serious injury.

(That’s what happens when you tie yourself to the USL to your wrist , using a light line and then forget to undo it before you release the load).

Ahh but what fun watching a crewman going back and forth between doors and slowly wrapping his harness around the loadpole.

Crewmans harness back then was this colour


https://www.historicflyingclothing.c...ess/prod_16047

Thought it was called a B48 Despatchers Harness?

USL Trg with the Army at Queens Parade back in the mid 70's, I disconnected myself to go down the hole and reset the SACRU. Pilot nagging me (S/L PD), and having asked me 3 times if I was sorted (NO) he got airborne to fly a circuit leaving his Crewman to take a bow and amuse the Infantry on the HLS......

Good dit, but what a w****r. (Him, not Ewe :ok:)

CG

the same individual also briefed emplaning/deplaning drills the wrong way around, insisting troops NOT to use the step to get into the cab but ONLY use the step when getting out! The Captain couldn’t understand why it took so long to get loaded up 😂. With regards to the first incident apparently the captains first reaction was to pull in power but turned around to look back and saw said individuals legs sticking up into the cabin from the load hatch. It could’ve ended very badly but luckily it only resulted in a bruised ego.

Q-Ski, would I know this Rotogator?

CG

Would you want to?!

lsh

Now I do lol!

CG

Thanks very much everyone.

NIREP reader,

When you start on a 1/32nd Whirlwind 10, please let me know

Old Duffer

shall do, although I think only the fixed wing WW2 is available, not 100% sure.

I’m pretty sure it was after your time in RAFG but happy to DM 🤔

then no more need for me to elaborate 🤗

Lastly the Ammo box. When fitted into its cradle, would the box lid be removed or left in the open position?.

AHhhhhhhhhhhh, it's a 1/32nd plastic kit - I misunderstood.

There is a very old kit of a piston engined S55 but that's at 1/48th scale. The Wessex is also 1/48 and far better. There is/was a 1/35 Chinook.

Old Duffer

There is a 1/32 wessex

both HC2 and HU5 kits


https://www.florymodels.org/fly-132-westland-wessex
https://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/fly-1...0-250031-p.asp