BUFDRVR wrote:

The K-36 seat has telescoping booms that extend REARWARDS - to stabilise the
seat - in much the same way as the small drogue chute on western designs.

I though it also had a wind blast deflector the popped up *in front* of the
seat?

BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"

It does - a sort of telescoping arm between the pilots knees, with what looks like
a small mesh screen.

But looking at photos, it only seems to extend to groin/stomach height.

I'll see if I can find a photo.

I also read recently that the Martin-Baker seat on the Rafale had a device whereby
the pilot does not need to attach his ankles to the seat - it is all done
automatically.

This was supposed to be a wonder development - but the K-36 seat has had it for
years!

It has a webbing strap that goes from the outer side of the seat, next to the
right side of one ankle - then up and over the footwell and attaches to a pulley
on the seat on the left side of the ankle - same arrangement for the other ankle.

So the pilot sits down and puts his feet on the rudder pedals in the footwell - he
doesn't have to attach any ankle straps.

As soon as the seat fires, these webbing straps retract, pulling his ankles onto
the seat. There are also risers behind his knees to raise them towards his
stomach, the aforementioned windbreak, the stabilising arms etc.

All in all a very effective design - as demonstrated by the K-36 Ejection Seat
Display Teams at RAF Fairford (two) and Le Bourget (three)

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Ken Duffey - Flanker Freak & Russian Aviation Enthusiast
Flankers Website - http://www.flankers.co.uk/
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