I was a crew chief on F-4's and the seats are something to be respected. The way they work is really cool. The cannon get's things going in a 3 section telescoping tube. But to make the acceleration a little less killer, it has propellant packages on the outside of the tube so that as it extends more propellant lights off. At the end of the tube, about 6-8 feet up, a cord reaches its length and trips a sear and lights off the rocket motor, which accelerates up and forward to keep the pilot from hitting the tail in the wind.
Oh, and the canopy went first under air pressure.
That was just the back seat.
After the rear guy goes out, the same sequence starts for the front guy.
The Guy In Back can punch out and leave the pilot. Or twist a knob and force the front guy out if he's incapacitated. But if the front guy pulls the d-ring, the back guys going first, no matter what, least the rocket blast from the front guy toast him. Hope the GIB was paying attention. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
Cool description. Thanks.
do you recall the weight of the propellant, and type?
"Meet your maker in a Martin-Baker." Wasn't that what was said? :-)
Not even egress technicians were immune from the damage the rails could and did inflict on a careless or hapless maintenance guy.