2016/11 LECTURE: The History & Development of Martin-Baker

Royal Aeronautical Society Heathrow Branch November 2016 Lecture -
"The History and Development of Martin-Baker"
by Tony Gaunt, Business Development Executive at Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd.
ABSTRACT:
The November lecture will take you on a fascinating journey of the origin and developments of a company that for over 67 years has been the undisputed world leader in the design and manufacture of ejection seats -Martin Baker, an international lifesaving synonym. To date, Martin-Baker ejection seats have ensured the safety of 7,497 pilots in 93 Air Forces around the world, of which 3,492 are U.S. Service-members.
Martin-Baker was founded on August 19, 1929, by 37-year-old James Martin. He invented and developed the first ejection seats in 1944-6. Since its inception, the company has recorded details of every emergency ejection. It has notes-some very detailed-on practically every successful ejection to date, as well as on some of the unsuccessful minority. From the outset of the business Sir James Martin urged his designers and craftsmen to learn lessons if possible from every ejection.
Martin-Baker has headquarters at its original site in Higher Denham, and has had a long standing relationship with the Heathrow Branch. Today, the company continues as a successful family run business, jointly managed by the twin sons of the late founder and skilfully run by an extremely loyal workforce.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Tony Gaunt spent nine years as RAF weapons technician and served in the Falklands conflict of 1982 with 1 Sqn harriers. He also worked for twelve years at BAE Systems as a weapons technician and weapons instructor and has been with Martin Baker for over fourteen years as Chief Technical Instructor and Business Development Executive.

[@jimdavenport8020]

I've got over 1,000 sorties with my ass strapped into a Mk VII in USAF F-4 aircraft and this is the first I EVER heard of any capability to 'Dial-a-Weight'. Never used the seat, but knew plenty of guys who did. I had almost total faith in the damn thing!

[@samrodian919]

Wonderful presentation sir!

[@haroldellis9721]

Martin-Baker, my favorite chair maker.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

The early model Martin-Baker seats (Before they were fitted with rocket-motors) were known in the USN as the "Martin-Baker back-breaker" on account of the rough-ride they provided.

[@johnp139]

Meet your maker in a Martin-Baker.

[@johnp139]

I prefer Lazyboy!

[@neilbedford1243]

Clear and humorous presentation!

[@unleashanger6068]

i love making Martin-Baker jokes when breaking up with a girlfriend.

[@tanyano9]

Having a genuine interest in MB I would have loved to have attended this presentation....Would loved to have heard the q and a's at the end too..

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

I mean, they had instrumentation back then too - Murphy's Law was from the US ejection trials, after Murphy's technician installed strain gauges the wrong way round on the test pilot's rocket sled seat harness (due to Cpt Murphy's poorly-written instructions).

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

V-Bombers had two pilots, two navigator/bombardiers and an engineer - it was the pilots who had ejector seats. Doddy Hay demonstrated a rear-facing ejector seat would work on a V-Bomber, using one from a Valiant I believe. Air Ministry couldn't be bothered.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

The rear half of the Meteor test-aircraft are from the F.8 Meteor fighter.

[@LauraCrossettblurbox]

This was very interesting

[@karthikanand1000]

good presentation sir

[@greggron]

You know you’re in trouble when the presenter yawns! 🤣

[@apexxxx10]

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