Spitfire Mk2 Sutton harnass question

Thanx Jack, yes it does not seem that the harnass attatched to the seapan was between the polit's back and the sea back, not routed behind the seat as it might then not have the desired effect of really pulling the pilot down into the seat.

This is how I will do it, I am happy the harnass does not have the complex buckles of the American style ones, I have to make these straps from tape and wire LOL

Theuns

Yes, it seems the secondary Y harness was attached somewhere immediately behind and at the base of the seat. 

There is some argument on whether the strap was draped over the seat and down, or passed through a hole towards the bottom of the seat.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1295649550

regards,

Jack

Glad I could help out. Looking at the diagram in the link, I had not previously seen the back portion, only the over the seat top portion. You learn something new every day. I also like how the two later harness types are listed as well. Helpful info for future projects.

Thanx Stik, no I was more wondering about the Y-harnass than the lapstraps. Even the lapstraps on the kit is a slight unknown. The seatsides have a hole in the right side and not in the left side for the lapstrap to pass through. However I have read that it should be a hole in the left side and not the right side as that is where the seat's raise lever was and it could foul on it.

As for the Y harnass, it seems to consist of 2 sets, the one goes to the back bulkhead as per the link you gave, the other one looks like it went to the joint between the seatpan and backrest.

From what I see in the pic of the pilot in the plane, the 4 straps are joined through the locking pin very high up on the chest and this would (had the second Y harnass not been attatched to the seatpan) not kept the piolt down it the seat during negative G.

I think I got it now, thanx allot.

Theuns 

Anyways, your answer is here. The lap belt portion has anchor points on the outer side of the seat pan.

http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/the-sutton-harness-on-the-spitfire.html

Are you talking about the lap belt portion of the harness? The shoulder portion are a "Y" strap that feeds over the seat top and thru the armor plate to an anchor point.