The Escapac series by Douglas Aircraft Corporation has a long and
interesting history. This Escapac I seat from an A4D-2N is one of the earliest of the series. There is an
version of a very similar seat, however this one is the first to include several features including a rocket catapult.
This seat was essentially an update from an earlier catapult-only seat and the gun mechanism on that seat was uncovered. This seat retains the uncovered firing mechanism area. Later seats have a cover over that area with a window for checking the firing mechanism.
The seat is a rocket seat fitted with the Mk 1, Mod 0 rocket catapult or RAPEC I. It includes a lower firing handle and an upper face curtain handle. The firing handle is an early metal type and includes a spring loaded hinge to allow for it to be tilted forward slightly.A DART seat stabilization system is fitted under the seat. It used a braking system and lanyard to help prevent pitch and roll excursions during seat powered flight (until nominal rocket burnout)
It also features a Seat-Man-Separation Bladder that uses compressed nitrogen and is inflated as the lap belt and inertia reel straps are released to provide for a positive separation from the occupant. Bladders under the seat kit survival pack and behind the NB-9 parachute force the separation of seat and occupant. This action also arms the parachute release mechanism in the parachute assembly with a two second delay.
The seat on this page belongs to Chris Hogan. Photos Copr. Chris Hoglan - used with permission
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