AV-8B SJU-4/A Ejection Seat

[Xpendable]

I have been working on designing a full scale facsimile AV-8B ejection seat, which is the first component of my Harrier cockpit that I plan to build.  I've got a long way to go before this design is finished and I can finally start building.  What do you think so far?  It will be made out of 3/4" and 1/2" wood primarily (most likely MDF, possibly plywood).  The seat back will get covered with a thin piece of aluminum (I think) and of course will get a padded seat back in front of that.  I was going to make the seat raise and lower like the real thing, but I couldn't find any cost effective solutions for that at this time, but is something that could be added later.  When I'm done, I'll be putting the FreeCAD file up on Github to share.

 

[Xpendable]

Here's the latest progress on my CAD model.  I figured out how to use the ModelViewer2 to generate planar ortho images to use as references in FreeCAD.  I had to rework almost the entire model, but it's starting to get there!  I also obtained real seat back and head rest pads from a real AV-8B...  

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

Nice! I wish I had the knowledge for cad or 3d design. 

Isn't the seat a common ground with f16 seats? There are plenty of files from that seat online. 

[No1sonuk]

14 hours ago, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

Isn't the seat a common ground with f16 seats? There are plenty of files from that seat online. 

ISTR the F16 seat angle is different.

[Thanatos31]

Did you get any progress? I find that super interesting as I wanted to dip my toe into building something similar but lack the skills at CAD / modeling to pull it off

[Scott-S6]

On 1/4/2022 at 5:00 AM, Ala12Rv-Tundra said:

Nice! I wish I had the knowledge for cad or 3d design. 

Isn't the seat a common ground with f16 seats? There are plenty of files from that seat online. 

Not at all. The F16 uses the Raytheon ACESII, the SJU-4 is a Talley Industries seat. It does seem to have some Martin Baker inspiration and it is a through-canopy naval seat, so really very different.

[Xpendable]

Some recent progress on actual construction... 

[[MVP] Mugga]

@Xpendable your doing the MVP proud with that build!  Will be epic when you have it finished.  Much like my F86 Sim Pit build, it takes years to collect all of the necessary parts.  Take your time, enjoy the journey and be in no rush to ever finish it!

[Xpendable]

Latest update. 3d printed manual seat release, 3d printed inertial reel lock release, rebuilt the back so tubes and extruded aluminum bars have correct gap between them. Recarved stryrofoam seat back (still needs fiberglass) and made my own seat cushion. Lots more still to do!

[Xpendable]

Been a while since I posted about this, but the seat is 95% finished.  Little details here and there are still needed.