Martin Baker - Ejection seat and escape system technology

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The lessons learned in the design and construction of the two previous low-wing monoplanes were embodied in a new design, the MB3, which was powered by a 2,000 h.p. Napier Sabre 24cylinder H-type engine, driving a De Havilland variable-pitch three-blade propeller. MB3 was projected to meet an Air Ministry fighter specification. It carried six 20-mm cannon, each with 200 rounds of ammunition, which made it the most heavily armed fighter in existence at the time. The armament installation was very good from an operational point of view, and a quick turnaround was ensured by the excellent accessibility of guns and ammunition.

While retaining the essential characteristics of the earlier designs, MB3 included many new features. The fuselage primary structure was still the round steel tube arrangement, but metal panels had taken the place of wood and fabric of earlier models. The wing, of torsion-box construction about a laminated steel spar, gave a remarkably strong and stiff structure in which flexing was not perceptible. A pneumatically controlled undercarriage, of Martin design was simple, sturdy, effective and notably reliable. As the wing flaps were also pneumatically operated, the need for hydraulics, with all their attendant operational hazards and maintenance problems, was eliminated. Radiators were installed underneath the wings, the coolant radiator on the starboard and the oil-cooler on the port side.

Tragedy

This aeroplane proved to be highly manoeuvrable and easy to fly, and could have been developed into a good fighter aircraft. It was a double tragedy when, on 12 September, 1942 the engine failed soon after take-off, and Captain Baker, in an attempt to save the aircraft whilst executing a difficult forced landing, crashed in a field and was killed. The personal loss to James Martin was immeasurable. It has already been stated that a deep friendship had grown up between these two men. James Martin never forgot the fearless, skilful and resolute pilot, and many consider that it was this painful tragedy that really fired the passionate interest in the safety of aircrews, which was later to become the very pivot of his life. At the time, the material loss was also a bitter pill. The MB3 was completely wrecked, and building to the same design would have resulted in immense loss of time - that commodity so essential to the successful production of a new aeroplane - so it was decided to design another prototype with a Rolls Royce Griffon engine, to be the MB4. In the event, this project was eventually dropped in favour of a new design, which became the MB5.

Martin-Baker MB3