C and C-1 ejection seats, for F-104

[BlueBookGuy]

hello all,

 

been asked by a friend modeller who wishes recreate at his best a C type, or C-1 downwards-firing seat in about a 1:5 scale, he still states these models had the same man-seat separator as the one fitted to the C-2 upward-firing seat. As far as my searching has gone I can say they instead didn't, at least all pictures I found do not show that precise type of separator  -    the inverted 'Y'-like strap running behind and under the aviator and his survival kit ensemble.

Unless it is present still behind that kind of perforated pad being visible against seat's backrest, but I cannot making it out; neither the vintage technical drawings for these models do show anything of this. Sure the C and C-1 (much likely the B-2 as well) as built by Stanley Aviation were fitted with the automatic gas-operated opening system for the seat lap belts, given the extremely narrow environment the pilots were within if ejecting at very low altitude but, that's another matter.

 

Quest from the modeller had me looking further for better results, yet I'd confirm the downward-ejecting models for the F-104 didn't have the C-2 type of separator. Please any different thoughts by anyone? Thanx.

[HUD69]

Indeed did the C-1 not have (initially) the man-seat separator unit. Even the first C-2's did not have that and it was a later modification.

I can not guarantee that no C-1 ever had it, but all early photographs and manuals do not show it.

Ron