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Best 1/48 ejection seat for an A-6E?


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Hi Aaron,

 

All A-6E Intruders (whether new builds or converted A models) flew with the GRU-7 seat. In 1/48 scale there are plenty to choose from including offerings from Aires (my favorite), Wolfpack, Verlinden, Pavla, Black Box and True Details.

 

None are perfect. Some resemble more the GRU-7(A) and GRUEA-7 seats used in the Tomcat and Prowler, respectively. And most depict the shoulder harnesses incorrectly; hanging straight down instead of gathered up in loops, under the tension of inertia reels.

 

During the mid 1980's, Martin Baker redesigned the forward headrest area (where the crewman's helmet makes contact) and upper ejection pull ring on the GRU-7 (spade-shaped early on, "U" shaped later). See photographs below. Most of the aftermarket seats depict the "early" GRU-7 design.

 

Wardog provides a good seat comparison on page 6 (about halfway down) of his A-6E work-in-progress thread...

IMG_8434_zpsdugugcme.jpgIMG_8433_zpsxgmpgnqa.jpgIMG_8432_zpsogulcwvn.jpg

 

Rich

 

Edited by RichB63
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