WONZ 253 - Great Escapes: Safety And Surface

[Dave Homewood]

This episode is the fourth in a series called “Great Escapes”, covering stories of RNZAF ejections from aircraft that have saved lives in emergency situations. This episode is a little different from those previously in the series, where it is from the perspective of some of the Safety And Surface Technicians who maintained the equipment to make an ejection successful. This episode features Geoff “Polly” Polglase, Evan Allen and Terry “Gnome” Austin.

The Safety And Surface trade is an engineering trade in the RNZAF which encompasses a wide range of specialist and highly technical skill sets, from spray painting and sign-writing to upholstery and canvas work to maintaining flying clothing and helmets. And a big part of the role is maintenance of the parachutes, life rafts, life preservers, survival packs and other equipment carried by aircrew or within the aircraft in case of the need of an emergency escape in the plane.

In relation to ejection seats, the guys discuss the parachutes, life rafts, survival packs, life preservers and other important safety equipment used by pilots in the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks, the BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk. 88’s, and the Aermacchi MB-339CB Macchis of the RNZAF.

cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2022/02/wonz-253-great-escapes-safety-and-surface/