Calling all aviation and military buffs. Need help identifying an ejection seat.

[Leland Pate]

So, a buddy of mine gave me an ejection seat. I couldn't say no! So here it is - I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out exactly what I have. I have searched high and low online and have not come up with anything definitive. Judging by the construction I originally thought it was likely to be from the first generation US fighter. But Internet searches of the f-80, f-86, and 100 series fighters came up with no clear match.

The closest seat I was able to find comes from the U-2A/B spyplane. The early models used a seat made by Lockheed that looks a lot like this one. But there are substantial differences in the head rest area.
I know it's US-made to due to the few stickers that are visible.

There's no data plate or any other number that would indicate what it came from. Anyone care to help?









I would really like to see a complete seat to get an idea of how it was originally upholstered. That would enable me to have some cushions made and turn it into an office chair.

[Neilk]

Let me be the first (in this thread) to say, AWESOME truck!

[MT930]

Martin Baker ??

[Jrboulder]

Almost all Martin Baker ejection seats are black

[herr_oberst]

You lucky frickin' bastard. I've wanted one of those since I was a little kid.

You might give the Evergreen Air Museum a shout. They have a collection of ejector seats.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum | Wings & Waves Waterpark | McMinnville Oregon

[crustychief]

Try searching here. I use the site for research on models.

http://www.ejectionsite.com/emakers.htm

[gordner]

You may find in your research that the example you have is fully upholstered as it was in service. Depending on the style, he may have been using his reserve parachute as the seat bottom cushion effectively, I know the E-seats in an L-39 work like that with the main chute making up the back rest.

[Leland Pate]

Thanks for the tips, fellas!

[herr_oberst]

My kind of office:

[BE911SC]

"Meet your maker in a Martin-Baker."

[herr_oberst]

I found a complete Martin Baker on ebay. 12 grand (OBO) and ships from Denmark.

Wonder what kind of luck I might have winning a lottery?

[herr_oberst]

O,BTW, Leland, I wanted to pay a compliment to you on the FJ. Beautiful car, beautiful color!!!