Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Society lecture salutes 50 years of saving aircrew lives", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771eab.018
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Society lecture salutes 50 years of saving aircrew lives
Society lecture salutes 50 years of saving aircrew lives
Keywords: Ejection seats, Royal Aeronautical Society, Martin-Baker
Martin-Baker ejection seats have saved over 6,700 lives during the last 50 years through the pioneering work of Sir James Martin, making this year's Ninth Sir James Martin Lecture on 25 May, hosted by the Royal Aeronautical Society, especially significant.
In front of guest of honour, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and an audience of distinguished guests, Squadron Leader John Peters told the story of just one of these successful ejections, when his Tornado was shot down during the Gulf War and he was taken prisoner.
Amongst over 200 invited guests were not only the first emergency ejectee, Mr J.O. Lancaster, who escaped from an Armstrong Whitworth experimental flying wing in May 1949, but also the 1,000th British ejectee, Squadron Leader Paul Wharmby, who was forced to abandon his Harrier GR7 aircraft in February this year.
Martin-Baker has produced 69,000 ejection seats that have won eight Queen's Awards and are in service with 90 air forces.