Warbird Information Exchange

I just picked up this seat from craigslist. I hope to try and identify the type aircraft if came from however there are no markings. It is 30" tall, the back stands 21" high. 16" deep. 15-3/4" wide. The seat base stands 9-1/2" high . The seat adjusts fore and aft 4", it rotates all the way around, and the seat back has releases to lay flat aft. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Bump to give this one more run through. Just over a hundred looks and no ideas? Does anyone have any possibles that I can start to research or maybe a branch (ie. Navy, Air Corps, or civilian)? I can take more detailed photographs if that would help. Thanks again.

A part or assembly number would help a great deal since it sort of looks like a run of the mill observers or flight engineers seat, does it fold or appear to be stowable?

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

I just let it go because I really had no idea and figured someone more knowledgeable would come along and give you your answer. Since they haven't shown up yet, here goes my best guess...

Are you sure it's from an airplane? Are there any markings of any kind on it anywhere? Stencils under a layer of paint? Data plate? I ask because it just doesn't look very airplane-like to me. Looks like it might be at home in a tank, but outside what I've seen on the history channel I'm no expert on them by any stretch. The swivel and recline just don't seem right for aviation use. If it were from an airplane, it's not the kind of thing you'd find under the guys steering the thing. Maybe a navigator or radio operator in a bomber or cargo plane of some sort would sit on a seat like that. Maybe.

I'm not convinced it's from a plane, though. What does the seat weigh? Looks like you have some 1/2 (or thicker) ply panels on there and I would imagine a seat from an airplane would be built a little lighter. Let's face it, an airplane has to beat gravity and there's only so much weight you can responsibly heft into the air on any given type. There are a number of easy ways to lighten up that chair that would allow a plane to carry another handful of bullets, or a mile more gas, or enable it to fly just a teensy bit higher.

Just a guess, but my gut says post-WWII tank.

Anyone who knows better, please please come out and correct me.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

Really? I guess I should pay attention when the forum software warns me to re-read the thread before posting. Any idea why they would want their observers and/or flight engineers to lay all the way back?

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

Looks similar to the seats we had in M-113 APCs or M-60/M-1 Tanks. They were usually adjustable in height too. Would allow the driver to nap in the vehicle while not driving. However, I'm sure some were asleep at the helm anyway with those long FTXs etc...

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Cheers!

Lance Jones

POG,
If you want to keep your 113 driver awake on long XC, have the motorpool put brown tag 65 injectors in , that sardine can should top out around 60 MPH on road YYYEEEEEEHHHHHHAAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Hell, I haven't been in an "active" military vehicle since getting out in '91.

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Cheers!

Lance Jones