Ejection Tie Club
We run an exclusive Ejection Tie Club for all pilots that have used one of our ejection seats. Life membership of the Ejection Tie Club is confined solely to persons who have ejected from an aircraft, in an emergency, using a Martin-Baker ejection seat which has thereby saved their life.
The first pilot to be accepted into the Club was a RAF serviceman who ejected over what was then Rhodesia in January 1957. Since then, the Club has over 5800 registered members.
The primary objective of the Club is to provide a distinctive tie to be worn with civilian clothing which therefore provides a visible sign of the members' common bond. Every Club member is given a certificate, membership card, patch, tie, pin or a brooch for the women. All the Tie Club memorabilia depicts a red triangle warning sign which is the recognised international danger symbol for an ejection seat.
The Ejection Tie Club was founded by Sir James Martin and is now run by Andrew Martin, the Grandson of Sir James.
Whether you want to become the latest Ejection Tie Club member or you would like your ejection story featured on this page – no matter how old or new, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us or alternatively email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
"I am extremely grateful to Martin-Baker for that A-6 seat that worked when I needed it and that I successfully survived my ejection, which has given me the opportunity to finish my Navy career, write a book and have a family, which is really the best thing I’ve done in my life!"
Linda Maloney, ejectee # 4346
Linda was in fact the first ever female to eject using a Martin-Baker Ejection Seat! To read Linda's ejection story, click here (PDF)
"On January 29, 2005, I was making my first night trap in the fleet onboard USS Kitty Hawk as a brand new "nugget" pilot in a F/A-18F Super Hornet. On the trap, the #3 arresting cable parted and I felt the jet buck forward and accelerate as I saw the lights of the edge of the landing area passing under my nose gear at 48 knots: Even as an inexperienced Lieutenant Junior Grade, I knew it was time to eject.
The SJU-17A (Mk 14) NACES ejection seat saved my life that night, despite ejecting on the ragged edge of the published envelope. Three days later, I strapped back into another F/A-18F and flew again with total confidence, that should the worst happen again, I could implicitly trust the NACES ejection seat to keep me alive, safe and sound”. Jon Willem Vanbragt, Ejectee # 5442
"Who would think that the act of pulling down a blind could prolong ones’ life by 53 years, and counting? This simple action was taken at the end of a training sortie in a Javelin Mk 5 on 9th March 1960, when the aircraft suffered complete electrical failure above cloud.
I eventually descended through a hole but, once in contact with the ground and being almost out of fuel, was unable to find a suitable place to land. Your marvellous seats gave my R.O (Sgt Bob Lydall) and me the only chance of survival. Needless to say they worked to perfection. Thank you Martin-Baker for your fantastic contribution to Aircrew Safety. My wife, family and friends endorse this praise wholeheartedly. Gratefully, Mike Gill" - Ejectee # 86
"After losing a wing in a very low mid-air collision in September 1958, your seat worked perfectly, and certainly saved my life. My family and I all thank you for your amazing dedication and products".
Thomas Tuke, ejectee # 142
Ejection date: 8th September 1958. Aircraft: Seahawk - 2D ejection seat
"It was in July of 1985, above Mostar, Bosnia and Hercegovina. I was testing the brand new ''Orao'' airplane. During flight, fuel started to leak in the engine section and both were on fire including the aircraft tail too. The only way to escape was using your magnificent Martin-Baker Mk10 ejection seat. A few years later, I left the Air Force and I am now flying as a captain on the Malian B-727 Presidential Aircraft.
Thanks to the MB Team, I am alive and still in the sky!"
Capt. Bosnic Vojislav, ejectee # 5822
“I went out of an F-4 in 1973 near Taiwan. Thank you for saving a young captain who had a great and long career (40 years, 4 months, and 27 days… ) in our Air Force and over 4000 hours in the F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10… and only ended up one landing short!
From Valerie (wife of 44 years), my three kids, and my eight grandkids… and me… thanks for the “ride”!
Thank you and all the best to the MB Team".
Ron Keys, ejectee # 2268
“Your company builds what must be the greatest export to ever leave the British Isles. It saved me while leaving the flight deck of the good ship Constellation, at only 60 feet, when our EA-6B was headed for an unplanned swim call, off Hawaii."
Rick Morgan, ejectee # 3383
USN EA-6B Prowler - GRUEA7 ejection seat
“It was a premeditated ejection from a Supermarine Scimitar at 10K. Everything worked as advertised. Swinging down through the clouds, I felt sick, but more worried that I could still hear the airplane, remembering I had forgotten to close the throttles! I was glad to land in water, as impact on the land might have been serious. THANK YOU!!"
Peter Banfield, ejectee # 541
Ejection date: 28th January 1964
“It’s a little bit late but I would like to say thank you for the two let downs that I had with your marvelous seat. My first was in the spring of 1967 when I was involved in a mid-air at Eglin AFB Florida flying an F-4D. I was at about 500 feet and almost inverted when I pulled the handle. The second was from a more reasonable altitude but much less friendly territory, being just sixty or seventy miles SW of Hanoi,but I knew that I was going to at least get out of the airplane without any problems.
Thank you and everyone at Martin-Baker very much”.
Capt. Stephen Gulbrandson, ejectee # 1140
Martin-Baker welcomed Marcelino Correia to the exhibition stand at LAAD Defence and Security 2011. On 25th February 2011, Marcelino ejected from a Super Tucano (ALX) after the aircraft suffered engine problems. He was forced to eject near the runway at Porto Velho Airport, Brazil.
"I successfully ejected after an engine breakdown, confident that the seat would work. It's great to return home to family and friends".
Marcelino Correia, ejectee # 5708
On 23rd March 2010, a RAF Red Arrows Hawk was taking part in pre-season training at Hellenic Air Force base in Kastelli, Crete. During the opposing pair manoeuvre between Red 6 and Red 7, a mid-air collision occurred. Red 6 (Mike Ling) made a lucky escape and ejected from his aircraft.
“I am the very lucky pilot of the Red Arrows Hawk that was forced to eject following a mid- air collision on 23rd March 2010 at Hellenic Air Base, Crete. I am eternally grateful to the sterling efforts of Martin-Baker”.
Mike Ling, ejectee # 5658
On Monday 20th June 2011, two Spanish Air Force pilots from a Casa 101 aircraft successfully ejected. It was a zero altitude ejection – a tyre exploded when the Casa 101 was coming into land.
The two ejectees were Comandante Gonzalo Tortosa and Alférez Alumno Mario Peña. Both pilots are presented with their Ejection ties by Luis Dominquez (Martin-Baker Spanish Agent) and the Colonel Chief of the Air General Academy at San Javier.
“I would like to thank Martin-Baker for saving my life recently. I am sitting here with my family because of the amazing performance of my seat. The accident happened on 23rd July 2010 at approximately 1810Z. The jet developed a problem and I was forced to eject at around 30 metres. It was way too close but the seat saved my life. Words cannot express how I feel right now, but thank you”.
Capt. Brian Bews, ejectee # 5668
