Renseignements généraux

Nº de série

prototype 1

Nº de partie

2

Nombre total de parties

10

Ou

left forearm

Brevets

S/O

Description générale

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

Dimensions

Remarque : Cette information reflète la taille générale pour l’entreposage et ne représente pas nécessairement les véritables dimensions de l’objet.

Longueur

37,0 cm

Largeur

14,0 cm

Hauteur

7,0 cm

Épaisseur

S/O

Poids

S/O

Diamètre

S/O

Volume

S/O

Lexique

Groupe

Aviation

Catégorie

Vêtements

Sous-catégorie

S/O

Fabricant

Ou

University

Pays

Canada

État/province

Ontario

Ville

Toronto

Contexte

Pays

Canada

État/province

Ontario

Période

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]

Fonction

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

Technique

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 ?].

Notes sur la région

Inconnu

Détails

Marques

"LEFT/ FOREARM" printed in black lead pencil on white cotton form . "S&W1942" stamped into metal buckle. "978.8" printed by hand in black lead pencil on off-white paper tag tied to one length of tubing.

Manque

One component of suit: piece is complete in itself.

Fini

Off-white cotton fabric and thread; off-white elastic lacings; silver metal eyelets; black metal buckle; gold tone metal zipper [shared with .1 left upper arm segment] has black and tan colour woven fabric [cotton ?] facings; light brown and black rubber tubing extends from internal rubber bladders [tubing shared with .1 left upper arm]: tubing connectors are black metal and/or opaque brown synthetic.

Décoration

S/O