cluttonfred
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If you're like me and like things that are 1) simple, 2) cheap, 3) light and 4) cool in an old-fashioned way, then how about a Sutton harness for your biplane? Sutton harnesses were some of the first quick-release harnesses and were standard issue on RAF fighters in both world wars. In short, they are made up of four (or five) straps with grommeted holes and something like a big clevis pin through all of them with a sort of cotter pin through that.
I had heard the term before, but recently I found a copy ofBUILD AND FLY YOUR OWN PLANE by ex-RAF Hurricane pilot Robert Lowe about building an Evans Volksplane VP-1. In it, he describes how to make your own Sutton harness from seat belt webbing, grommets and other hardware for less cost and significantly less weight than a factory seat harness. And if it was good enough for a Hurricane or Spitfire....
If you don't want to make your own, but are looking for that period feel for your plane, you can order them Anglia Sailplanes in the UK, who make them for the Tiger Moth guys but will adjust to any length you need. Their site is a little sparse, and no prices or photos, but here is photo of one of their products from the Chilton Aircraft site (about 2/3 down the page).
Just thought I'd share...
Cheers,
Matthew
I had heard the term before, but recently I found a copy ofBUILD AND FLY YOUR OWN PLANE by ex-RAF Hurricane pilot Robert Lowe about building an Evans Volksplane VP-1. In it, he describes how to make your own Sutton harness from seat belt webbing, grommets and other hardware for less cost and significantly less weight than a factory seat harness. And if it was good enough for a Hurricane or Spitfire....
If you don't want to make your own, but are looking for that period feel for your plane, you can order them Anglia Sailplanes in the UK, who make them for the Tiger Moth guys but will adjust to any length you need. Their site is a little sparse, and no prices or photos, but here is photo of one of their products from the Chilton Aircraft site (about 2/3 down the page).
Just thought I'd share...
Cheers,
Matthew
