Summary: Instructional film about the use of ejector seats.
Description: Reel 1: Escape from aircraft in flight consists of three stages - first is reaching exit with parachute and safety equipment. Second is passing through the exit with limitations of high speed wind pressure and turbulence. Third is clearing aircraft without striking any part of it's structure. With aircraft operating at increasing altitude new problems are presented. Experiments with live subject and dummies on the ground using wind tunnels shown to demonstrate the difficulty of exiting aircraft at varying speed and the risks posed to crew leaving aircraft. Development of ejection seat to aid escape from aircraft. Bernard Lynch shown preparing for first live ejection and ejection from Meteor. Seat type used then shown – Martin Baker Type 1 – and manual operation described.
Reel 2: Further description of seat operation using later marks of seat to demonstrate automation of releasing crew member. Introduction of leg restraints to prevent injury to crew's hip joints during ejection. Increased power of seat guns to clear taller fin structures. Automation of hood jettison stage introduced. Steps taken by pilot before sitting and after entering aircraft demonstrated on seat unit outside aircraft – attaching seat dinghy pack, parachute, g-suit lines etc. Ground tests using tower rig to record effects of seat ejection on human subject using accelerometers. Countering effects of oscillation of seat pack on pilot during ejection caused by compression of the seat cushion pack as it lags behind acceleration of seat during ejection. Risk of back injury by adding layer of Sorbo rubber highlighted.
Reel 3: Correct body position to be adopted for ejection. Diagrammatic explanation of stages of the ejection process. Process shown in slow motion trial at low level and then at zero feet. High altitude test to check barometric control operation. True air speed and indicated air speed at very high altitudes explained. As altitude and speed increases aircraft designers will have to factor in escape in future, to protect crews from extremes of altitude, such as self contained capsules.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:AMY 297
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1956
Production Country: GB
Production Details: AIR MINISTRY (Production sponsor)
Topical Film Company (Production company)
