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Exceptional, entirely complete piece of mid-century aerospace history. This military-issue, folding aft jump/crew seat presents a rare, fully documented look into the high-stakes manufacturing overlap between the front lines of the Vietnam War and the pioneering engineering behind NASA's Apollo Space Program.
Unlike standard battlefield surplus, this assembly retains its original components, clear operational stamps, and a premium hardware pedigree that documents how the Department of Defense and NASA cross-utilized identical military-specification components during the height of the 1960s Space Age.
The Apollo-Spec Blueprint Connection (Pacific Scientific Reel): Mounted to the upper backrest frame is an immaculate Pacific Scientific "Reel-Safe" Roller Type Inertia Lock Shoulder Harness Reel. The factory foil data plate is fully intact and readable, displaying Mfg. Part No. 0101385-01 under Specification MIL-R-8236 – TYPE MA-6. This identical manufacturing part number represents the exact, high-reliability mechanical blueprint selected by NASA under contract NAS9-150 to anchor the flight crew safety restraint systems inside the Apollo Block I Command Module spacecraft capsules. Having this premium, space-vetted hardware layout integrated into a frontline military aircraft configuration makes this an incredibly scarce cross-collectible for aerospace archivists.
The Manual Lock Override Lever: Physically wired via its original mechanical linkage line to the inertia reel is the complete manual control lever assembly. The cast-aluminum housing features a spring-loaded yellow handle that switches between AUTOMATIC (Inertia Unlocked) and MANUAL LOCK (used by crew chiefs and pilots to lock themselves rigid against the backrest immediately prior to high-turbulence environments, combat maneuvers, or emergency landings). The housing body features a beautiful mid-century casting layout reading: "Pacific Scientific Co. - LOS ANGELES • SEATTLE • SAN FRANCISCO."
Verified Vietnam War Field Provenance: The military-specification webbing features crisp, clear factory-ink stencils recording its active deployment. The shoulder straps are clearly stamped "INST. APR. 65" (Installed April 1965) and "TESTED APR. 65" (Safety Tested April 1965). This places the operational history of the harness precisely in the spring of 1965, matching the exact months of the major United States military escalation and the historic arrival of the first U.S. combat groups in Vietnam.
Authentic "Property of U.S. Government" Casting: The structural integrity of this seat is verified by the permanent, raised lettering cast directly into the heavy-duty aluminum frame joint, reading: "PROPERTY OF U.S. GOVERNMENT." This confirms it as an official Department of Defense contract layout rather than a civilian or commercial market variant. The upper frame lug also retains its original, upside-down yellow Department of Defense quality control decal featuring the military eagle emblem and a stamped "TESTED" clearance.
Vietnam-Era Lap Belt Restraint: Completing the entire harness assembly is an original, period-correct Type MD-2 Safety Lap Belt (Part No. 54H1965) under USAF Contract No. AF-33-(657)13277, manufactured in August 1964 by the historic defense supplier Aerial Machine & Tool Corp. of Long Island City, New York. The buckle features the original Military Standard (MS22010-1) and AMTO contractor engravings stamped directly into the metal.
Aeroquip Quick-Disconnect Floor Fittings: Pin-secured directly to the base of the leg tubes is a matching set of original Aeroquip Double-Jaw Seat/Cargo Track Quick-Disconnect Fittings. Stamped with Aeroquip Patent No. 2.951.714, these knurled locking plungers allowed the crew chief to instantly snap the seat into standard cabin floor L-tracks or strip the cabin bare for medical litter placement and cargo transport.
Frame Structure: Outstanding structural integrity. This is the highly desirable freestanding rigid frame configuration featuring a folding backrest (allowing the upper half to collapse forward while the lower leg base remains completely stable). The original olive drab aircraft-grade aluminum tubing is straight, firm, and completely free of cracks or hairline fractures at the stress joints.
Fabric Composition: The seat backing and seat pan are constructed from authentic, heavy-duty military-grade high-tensile Nylon Duck canvas (selected by the military during the Vietnam era for its rot, humidity, and mildew resistance). The original structural stitching along the tube sleeves remains completely taut. The underside of the seat pan features the complete, original white tension-lacing system routed securely through factory metal grommets.
Hardware & Snaps: All metal hardware is preserved in excellent operational condition. The canvas features genuine, period-correct Scovill Mfg. Co. directional military snap fasteners ("Lift-the-DOT" style) stamped clearly with the manufacturer's hallmark.
Mechanisms: The folding backrest pivots smoothly and locks cleanly. The quick-disconnect floor fittings slide up and engage firmly under spring tension, and the Pacific Scientific inertia reel automatically extends, retracts, and locks down properly via the manual override control handle.
Labels & Markings: Outstanding preservation state. The foil Pacific Scientific plate, the paper DOD decal, the 1964 lap belt cloth tag, and the 1965 harness stencils are 100% legible, unaltered, and completely clean.
