General Information

Serial #

prototype 1

Part Number

9

Total Parts

10

AKA

abdominal corset

Patents

N/A

General Description

cotton [and possibly other] fabric components; metal zipper; rubber bladders and tubing; metal and synthetic tubing connectors

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

87.0 cm

Width

43.0 cm

Height

5.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Aviation

Category

Clothing

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

University

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

This model suit used c. 1939- early 1940 [possibly for testing purposes only]

Canada

Dr. W.R. Franks, Professor in Medical Research, University of Toronto was a leader in aviation research work conducted in Canada during the late 1930s-1940s on problems associated with acceleration. Among his accomplishments in the field, Franks developed an anti-G suit (the " F.F.S."] which applied pressure to the calves, thighs and abdomen to prevent pooling of the blood in the veins of these areas, and supported the increased pressure developed in the arterial bed of the same regions. This prevented blackouts and unconsciousness, and delayed the onset of fatigue- critical problems for pilots subjected to centrifugal force during aerial manoeuvrers. [Ref. 6] This [and other versions of the F.F.S.] required testing in a controlled and reproduceable environment. For this purpose, a "human centrifuge", the R.C.A.F. accelerator was designed and constructed. [see 1987.0229 and 1976.0529]. [Ref. 5]

Function

To prevent pooling of the blood in the veins of the abdomen and extremities.

Technical

The Mark III F.F.S. was the first anti-G suit to be used in actual air operations anywhere in the world. It demonstrated the value and practicality of anti-G suits, which lead to further development of the technology and later versions of the Franks suit. The first prototype suit was constructed of thin cotton and made to fit Franks himself . It was sewn together in Franks' office at the University of Toronto, and had thin rubber bladders vulcanized throughout, allowing the wearer's full body to be protected by a thin film of water. Franks wore the suit during testing in a Finch Fleet biplane. He realized that not all areas of the body required equal protection from G-forces, and modified his original prototype accordingly. This piece may be one of the elements of the refined prototype suit. [Ref. 6, p.114] The body part for which the piece was designed, and some elements of construction/finish are handwritten in black lead pencil on the exterior, suggesting it may also have served as a pattern, or provided instructions for assembly [by tailor ?].

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

"ZIP", "CUT SLIT AND/ REINFORCE EDGES", "BUCKLE", "SUSPENDER/ STRAPS", "FOLD TO MAKE LACING STRIP"," "U' TYPE/ ABDOMEN", and "APPROX./ POS. OF/ OUTLET" printed by hand in black lead pencil on various areas of cotton form. UHN catalogue no. "978.8.27f" printed by hand in black ink on off-white cotton tag sewn to form. "LIGHTNING", "CANADA", and "LF" stamped into zipper components. "S&W1942" stamped into buckle.

Missing

One component of suit: piece is complete in itself.

Finish

Off-white cotton fabric and thread; gold tone metal zipper has black colour woven fabric [cotton ?] facing; light brown and black rubber tubing extends from internal rubber bladders; off-white elastic fabric lacings; black metal buckles.

Decoration

N/A