Dramatic moment ejector seat firm blasts dummy from cockpit

A leading ejector seat manufacturer has carried out a spectacular high altitude test as it works to rebuild its reputation.

Martin-Baker was fined £1.1million four months ago at Lincoln Crown Court for a breach of health and safety law that led to the death of a Red Arrows pilot. 

Now, dramatic photographs have shown the British company using a Gloster Meteor made famous in the Second World War for its first UK test in eight years.

Ejector seat maker Martin-Baker has carried out a high altitude test in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire

The test was carried out last week at Martin-Baker’s facility in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, and the firm described it as ‘truly unique’ and a ‘huge success’.

The company, which makes seats for fighter jets including the F-35 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, uses two of the oldest military planes still flying for its tests.

The Gloster Meteors first took flight in 1943 and were used to intercept German V1 flying bombs, but they have been employed by Martin-Baker for testing since 1946.

The plane is still in use despite its age because it is affordable and ticks most of the boxes required for seat testing. Using a newer plane would be far more expensive and would lead to little gain for the purposes of the test.

The ejector seats are fitted with dummies installed in the rear cockpits of the two planes, which have completed more than 700 ejector seat tests between them.

A Meteor made famous in the Second World War was used in its first UK test in eight years

A Meteor made famous in the Second World War was used in its first UK test in eight years

The test comes after Martin-Baker admitted failing to ensure the safety of non-employees in connection with the death of a Red Arrows pilot.

Martin-Baker admitted a health and safety law breach in connection with the death of Red Arrows pilot Sean Cunningham in 2011

Martin-Baker admitted a health and safety law breach in connection with the death of Red Arrows pilot Sean Cunningham in 2011

Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham was killed after being ejected from his Hawk T1 jet on the ground at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, on November 8, 2011.

The parachute on the Mark 10B ejector seat did not deploy and the airman, who had been conducting pre-flight checks, fell 200ft before he later died in hospital.

At Lincoln Crown Court in February, the firm was scolded for falling ‘short of the appropriate standard’ and causing ‘an entirely preventable tragedy’.

But the company, which paid £550,000 in prosecution costs, was praised by the judge and Health & Safety Executive for its track record in saving lives.

Martin-Baker, based in Uxbridge, West London, has designed and made ejector seats for 73 years, in which time they have been flown by 92 air forces.

The company claims its seats have saved the lives of 1,050 Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircrew with a further 6,510 aircrew lives saved around the world.

Gloster Meteor planes are pictured over London in 1946. The aircraft first took flight in 1943 and were used to intercept German V1 flying bombs

Gloster Meteor planes are pictured over London in 1946. The aircraft first took flight in 1943 and were used to intercept German V1 flying bombs

Founded by Sir James Martin, the firm is now run by his sons, 75-year-old twins John and James Martin – and last year the family shared dividends of £32million.

Gloster Meteor profile

Engines : Two Rolls-Royce Derwent 8s

Span: 37ft 2in

Maximum weight: 15,700lbs

Top speed: 598 mph

Maximum range: 600 miles

First flight: March 1943, RAF Cranwell

Production: 3,875 aircraft

The Martin family was number 176 on the Sunday Times Rich List last year, with an estimated wealth of £730 million.

A news release on the firm’s website said yesterday: ‘The Martin-Baker Meteor aircraft is back in action with its first UK test in eight years at the company’s test facility in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire. 

‘The high altitude ejection test carried out last week was a huge success. The high altitude test capabilities at Martin-Baker are truly unique.

‘We are the only ejection seat company across the globe that has the ability to carry out these remarkable tests.’

The company has won 11 Queen’s Awards and has more than 17,000 seats in service.



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