The article presents the history of the Martin-Baker Company. It outlines the characteristics and development of the first ejection seats produced between 1944 and 1972. The capabilities and tactical-technical data of the seats are compared.1. INTRODUCTION
One of the most important issues related to aircraft flight is the problem of saving human life in an emergency. In the event of an emergency that prevents further flight (aircraft fire, loss of control), the pilot is forced to abandon the aircraft and land safely on the ground.
A parachute is used to decelerate and ensure a safe landing speed (up to approx. 6 m/s).
The first parachutes used for saving human life were introduced for observation balloons during World War I. By the end of the war, parachutes were introduced as standard equipment for aircraft.
In 1919, Irwin-designed parachutes were introduced into service in the United States aviation.
These were non-rigid, soft-type parachutes. The parachute canopy was deployed using a pilot chute.
The parachutes were available in three versions (knee, back, and seat) and were successfully used until the early 1930s. During an emergency, the pilot would leave the cockpit by “jumping over the side” or, in the case of a controllable aircraft, by performing a half-roll and pushing the control stick “forward.” This resulted in the creation of negative G-force and the ejection of the pilot from the aircraft cockpit.
However, there were situations where the parachute was useless, e.g., when the aircraft entered a spin, or when the user was unable to get out of the cockpit on their own due to injuries sustained. Furthermore, the increase in aircraft speed and altitudes greater than 6000 m forced designers to develop a new method for abandoning aircraft. Pioneers in the development of rescue systems were German designers. The first seat patent was developed in 1939 (Reichpatent No. 711045) by Karl Arnold, Reinhold Preuschen, Oscar Nissan, and Otto Schwarz, who worked for the Junkers Flugwerke company. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine