What kind of lap belts are these on a 550A?

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Edwin Ek · #1 Post by **Edwin Ek** » Wed May 01, 2019 7:32 pm

Pictured in a 550A at auction last year. Notice the strange hexagonal piece with holes.

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Dick Roth · #2 Post by **Dick Roth** » Wed May 01, 2019 8:13 pm

Good question, Ed...not even sure what that piece is supposed to do...

Sebastian Gaeta · #3 Post by **Sebastian Gaeta** » Wed May 01, 2019 8:36 pm

Dick Roth wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2019 8:13 pm Good question, Ed...not even sure what that piece is supposed to do...

Looks like it's the handle for the latch.

Jon Bunin · #4 Post by **Jon Bunin** » Wed May 01, 2019 8:59 pm

Edwin Ek wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2019 7:32 pm Pictured in a 550A at auction last year. Notice the strange hexagonal piece with holes.

Edwin, they look like common racing belts, with a fancy custom piece added for wows.

Dick Roth · #5 Post by **Dick Roth** » Wed May 01, 2019 9:05 pm

Certainly true that the latch is clearly a standard item.I wonder if they would even pass Tech in a real competition situation, even vintage.

Sebastian Gaeta · #6 Post by **Sebastian Gaeta** » Wed May 01, 2019 9:10 pm

Dick Roth wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2019 9:05 pm Certainly true that the latch is clearly a standard item.I wonder if they would even pass Tech in a real competition situation, even vintage.

Agreed, that would really hurt in an accident.

Jon Bunin · #7 Post by **Jon Bunin** » Wed May 01, 2019 9:25 pm

Dick Roth wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2019 9:05 pm Certainly true that the latch is clearly a standard item. I wonder if they would even pass Tech in a real competition situation, even vintage.

Dick, I think you meant to say that the latch is clearly NOT a standard item?

Mike Wilson · #8 Post by **Mike Wilson** » Wed May 01, 2019 11:33 pm

Ah...but it's been lightened for racing purposes! Is the manufacturer's name on the label? That might provude a clue.

Mike

Dick Roth · #9 Post by **Dick Roth** » Thu May 02, 2019 2:22 pm

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I meant that the latch, or the actual locking mechanism is standard design. The drilled add-on was last seen in the 1951 sci-fi classic, "From the Earth to the Moon" with the belt webbing beautifully complimenting the silver metallic spacesuits...

John Brooks · #10 Post by **John Brooks** » Tue May 07, 2019 1:55 am

Ed

Here is a A6-A intruder seat belt from a Martin Baker GRU-5 ejection seat. I have a couple thousand hours using this belt. I think this was a standard design used by the NAVY in the late 50s and 60s. Probably the USAF and Army also.

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Edwin Ek · #11 Post by **Edwin Ek** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:16 am

John, many thanks. That's it. Notice how the handle is flipped in my picture.

Dick Roth · #12 Post by **Dick Roth** » Tue May 07, 2019 9:22 am

Fascinating! Great to see the depth of knowledge resident in the minds of the 356 brethren. Thank you. Dick

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What kind of lap belts are these on a 550A?

What kind of lap belts are these on a 550A?

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