| » Forum Index » The Friday Challenge » Topic: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday! |
|
Posted on 10/07/26 08:28:00 AM |
|
Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7190 Reply  |
Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
I recently visited the excellent Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, home to about 40 full size planes (some of which you can go inside) as well as a vast amount of memorabilia and related objects. Gordon, you'd love it. One of the displays covered the history of ejector seats. This is apparently the Martin Baker Mk2, as fitted to the Gloster Meteor. Can you show me it in action? High res is here.  |
Posted on 10/07/26 12:10:50 PM |
|
GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4194 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Those early ejection seats were quite violent as they relied on a couple of explosive charges to boost the seat out of the aircraft. the shock to the spine usualy resulted in some form of injury to the spine. The pilot had to physically jettison the canopy and do a few other procedures before pulling either the seat pan handle or a face blind on the top of the seat. The Mk2 made some of the procedures automatic. Modern seats have a rocket pack to move the seat clear of the aircraft. it is still quite a violent procedure but injuries are far fewer. Everything is fully automatic now and all the pilot has to do is pull the seat handle and enjoy the ride. From pulling the handle to being out of the aircraft under a fully inflated 'chute is just a couple of seconds. Martin Baker (a British company) is the world leader in ejection seat technology. First Mk2 ejection was on 15th July 1952 with a total of 332 lives saved. The most recent ejection was on Saturday 13th June. A US Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet crashed during a routine training mission near Rimrock Lake, Washington. The solo pilot successfully ejected. Total lives saved to date is 7825 from all Martin Baker ejections. One of the most exclusive clubs in the world is The Martin Baker Tie Club. Membership is allowed exclusively to those who have ejected from an aircraft using a Martin Baker seat. 
_________________ Have you ever noticed that all the instruments designed to detect intelligent life are pointing away from the Earth? |
Posted on 10/07/26 12:39:06 PM |
|
lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3629 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Most interesting Gordon, thanks for the information.  |
Posted on 10/07/26 12:40:52 PM |
|
lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3629 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Easy to visualize... a bit more difficult to make happen. 
|
Posted on 10/07/26 12:51:15 PM |
|
Ben Boardman
Printing Pro Posts: 799 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Images in Photoshop, cover typesetting by ChatGPT. Flames from an actual EV fire. |
Posted on 10/07/26 3:32:59 PM |
|
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 6334 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
I won't be joining in until later as I am undergoing a full refit of drawing slate and pen. Here, in the meantime, is another automotive ejector. Sorry Steve this is another David diversion. I made this ad in the early eighties directly for Volvo Sweden. We shot in Swedish and English. I think I may confidently describe it as bizarre. In that bewildering way that clients (especially Swedish clients it would seem) can have, when briefing directors, they asked me for an amusing film that explained precisely the technology of their new side air bags with a dry humour that took itself so completely seriously that it almost wasn't funny .............. ................... ummmmmmm .............. did you follow any of that? ................... I certainly wasn't sure if I did! Anyway, here is the funny/unfunny, serious/frivolous result. To this day I still don't know quite what to make of it ............. but fortunately they loved it. I leave you to draw your own conclusions .............    _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 10/07/26 4:41:53 PM |
|
dwindt
Realism Realiser Posts: 1126 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Nice. I love the British humour. Well done. _________________ The grass is greener on the other side of the fence because there is more $hit there. |
Posted on 10/07/26 7:49:41 PM |
|
Ant Snell
Specular Specialist Posts: 650 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
A small amount of knowledge on current UK politics may be required to decipher this one. 
RIP Ann. |
Posted on 11/07/26 10:27:29 AM |
|
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 6334 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
If you want to make satirical images British politics right now are the gift that goes on giving .......... I really like this Ant! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 11/07/26 11:41:01 AM |
|
lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3629 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
David – Volvo has long touted their safety features and as a Volvo owner, I must say that I do find it amusing. |
Posted on 11/07/26 12:36:38 PM |
|
lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3629 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
This doesn't quite work, removing the canopy, ejecting the pilot, and then putting it all back together in an attempt for the best looping is a daunting task at best. 
|
Posted on 12/07/26 05:51:58 AM |
|
tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 3004 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
http://vimeo.com/1209184937?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci _________________ Dorothy: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore |
Posted on 12/07/26 05:52:25 AM |
|
tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 3004 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
 _________________ Dorothy: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore |
Posted on 12/07/26 2:41:57 PM |
|
Mariner
Renaissance Mariner Posts: 3370 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Here's some bedtime reading: AI Overview Martin Baker F-4 Phantom Ejector Seat - Intrepid Design An ejection seat is a military aircraft safety system designed to rescue crew members during an emergency. Propelled by explosive charges and rocket motors, the seat carries the occupant clear of the aircraft, deploys a parachute, and ensures a safe descent. Technical Specifications Modern ejection seats—heavily pioneered by the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company—are highly complex, self-contained survival systems. General Performance Operating Envelope: Varies by model; many modern seats (such as the Martin-Baker Mk17) are capable of zero-altitude, zero-speed ("zero-zero") ejections, and can function up to 25,000+ feet and speeds of up to 450-600 knots. Occupant Weight Limits: Generally certified for individuals weighing between 103 lbs and 245 lbs. G-Force Limits: The acceleration can expose the pilot to forces exceeding 15-20 Gs, which can momentarily compress the spine. Dimensions & Mass Height: Typically ranges from 49.4 inches to 56.3 inches. Depth & Width: Approximately 36.6 inches deep and 20.8 inches wide. Mass: Ranges from around 49 lbs for lightweight models to 106 lbs for heavily equipped units. The Ejection Sequence When the pilot pulls the ejection handle, it triggers an automated sequence of events: Canopy Release: Explosive bolts detach or shatter the aircraft canopy to clear a path for the seat. Restraint Systems: Visors drop to protect the face from windblast, and leg restraints secure the pilot's ankles to prevent flailing. Catapult & Rocket Ignition: The seat is driven up guide rails by a catapult charge, followed by an under-seat rocket motor that propels the pilot 60 to 90 meters above the aircraft. Stabilization & Separation: A drogue parachute deploys to stabilize the seat, preventing it from tumbling. The seat system then detaches from the pilot. Main Chute Deployment: Barometric sensors and timer devices deploy the main parachute at a safe altitude. History and Development The modern ejection seat evolved significantly following WWII. James Martin famously designed the first reliable system, with the first emergency in-flight ejection occurring on May 29, 1949. Lives Saved: Over 7,600 lives have been saved globally by these British-engineered systems. Live Testing: Ground-breaking ground-level, zero-speed ejections were proven viable in November 1955. Re-purposing: Many retired or deactivated seats (stripped of their explosive cartridges) are restored into functional, highly sought-after furniture and collector's items. |
Posted on 13/07/26 00:34:38 AM |
|
lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3629 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
|
Posted on 13/07/26 02:58:06 AM |
|
dwindt
Realism Realiser Posts: 1126 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Out of the sun  _________________ The grass is greener on the other side of the fence because there is more $hit there. |
Posted on 13/07/26 1:54:41 PM |
|
Ben Boardman
Printing Pro Posts: 799 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
 |
Posted on 13/07/26 2:24:38 PM |
|
dwindt
Realism Realiser Posts: 1126 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Clever Ben. You got that parachute to blend into the tree very nicely. Some subtle changes to my first image.  _________________ The grass is greener on the other side of the fence because there is more $hit there. |
Posted on 13/07/26 5:45:12 PM |
|
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 6334 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
Ben ............... what Dennis said. Beautifully done! Dennis yes, subtle but better. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 13/07/26 5:48:47 PM |
|
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 6334 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1113: Mayday! Mayday!
 _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
| page: 1 2 3 last |