Curt B Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Hey All, Maybe stupid question, but can anyone tell me what the rectangular part is, that I have most often seen in Eduard aftermarket prop aircraft seatbelts? It seems like it's an odd part, but seems to be present on many seatbelt sets, and typically goes under one of the 2 seatbelts in a set. I hope some of you would understand what I'm talking about without photos, but if no one understands what I'm referring to, a picture may be needed. So...any ideas? Thanks! Edited November 21, 2020 by Curt B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shadrik Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 The parts that are usually a darker brown in the eduard sets? As far as I can tell those represent some sort of padded part that lies underneath the area where the harness parts are buckled together, probably to prevent the various metal parts from getting caught on clothing and stuff. Just the way some seatbelts are constructed I'd say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 Hi Shadrick, Yes, those are the parts I'm referring to. That would make sense, I guess. I just can't picture those rather large pieces of padding or whatever sitting on top of the pilot's flight suits. Although, I must remember that what constituted a 'flight suit' in those days was nothing like the rigs used today, with the anti-g and other complex components of a modern jet fighter pilot outfit. Thanks for your thoughts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bo105flyer Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Yes, that is actually a piece of leather to help protect the wearer from the metal in the buckle assembly. Also helps on a hot sunny day to prevent burns from the metal. Steve Sliger Greenwell Springs, LA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 As Steve said, it was a piece of leather. The ones I saw were pretty beat up and had weathered to a greasy dark brown color. As a side note, those belts were the same ones used on UH-1 Hueys for the troop seats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Curt B Posted November 22, 2020 Author Share Posted November 22, 2020 Thanks, guys. That has bothered me for years. I have always included those parts on belts in my builds, but never knew why. You've satisfied my curiosity! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bo105flyer Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 15 hours ago, 11bee said: As Steve said, it was a piece of leather. The ones I saw were pretty beat up and had weathered to a greasy dark brown color. As a side note, those belts were the same ones used on UH-1 Hueys for the troop seats. Also used in the cockpit of US Army UH-1 Hueys, OH-58 Kiowas, and AH-1 Cobras. I can not speak of the other military services as I served in the Army and having flown those 3 aircraft while in. Steve Sliger Greenwell Springs, LA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnEB Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Pretty common in civil warbirds too. Also, a friend has them as part of race-quality belts in his Ford GT40 and Cobra Daytona Coupe replicas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I road raced a few times, our harness was the type used in old fighters and the pad both prevented clothing from getting caught in the buckle as well as protecting one's belly from the buckle. Load distribution, as it were. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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