Stanley Rotational B Ejection Seat Live Ejection. Convair Supersonic Rotational B-seat during a Live-Fire Ejection from NF-106B 57-2507 with its modified B model canopy for testing the Rotational B-seat from the back seat only before the full-length B model canopy was used. The B seat was a re-designed seat after the Interim Seat generally known as the "B-seat", was designed by Convair and Stanley Aviation, and built by Aircraft Mechanics Incorporated, and was fully supersonic in performance. It was used 1959 - 1964. It was powered by rocket, with emphasis on high-speed vertical tail clearance, protection of the pilot from windblast and retention of pilot survival and flight equipment during ejection. The B-seat included many features which were considered unusual in the early 1960’s. These included the use of over 30 pyrotechnic devices, namely initiators, explosive bolts, cutters, etc., deployable stabilization booms, a seat-integrated parachute and a complex seat assembly that rotated the seat by 90-degrees prior to its separation from the aircraft.

NF-106B 57-2507 went to NASA Lewis as NASA 607. It was re-designated NF-106B and was used in many NASA projects to include: Chase support for NASA 616, Ejection Seat test aircraft, Final Qualification tests for Gemini spacesuit and spacecraft escape system, Solar Cell calibration tasks and Air Sample Collection. Transferred to NASA Langley in May 1981 and cut in half lengthwise for wind tunnel tests.

This [F-106B 57-2507] was a special test A/C I know was stationed in El Centro, CA. It did have a single [control] stick and the F-Tank was a ballast tank, it never carried any fuel. It also had a duel Canopy system similar to an F-4 in addition to the standard B Model Canopy. Denver Young was the Convair Rep. maybe some people may know him from the F-102 program. In fact, it was the A/C used to test the first live Supersonic Seat ejection with a Sargent in the back seat [pictured here]. He ejected the Aft Canopy followed by the Supersonic Seat. AF/Convair did many test which I was never privy of at the time. The aircraft was never converted to a production model and it ended up in NASA’s inventory. I believe NASA cut the fuselage in half so they could mount it on a wall to run some special wing tests with the wing sticking out the other side [NASA Vortex Flap tests]. Cheers, Joe Sylvia, GD/Convair Rep
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