It's like an ASE test question only different. Fabricator A is building some bucket seats in a style that harks back to vintage aircraft seats. Fabricator B says the seat backs must have a slight curve to them to be comfortable. (Curve as in across the back, not up and down). Fabricator A has seen vintage aircraft seats in all diffent styles, some of which have flat backs. Fabricator A also contends that once a cushion 3" or so thick is in the seat, your back won't know the difference. Plus, from taking these tests, Fabricator A knows B is an idiot. Who's right?
They say the true test of intelligence is being able to understand two opposing arguments and at the same time formulating a third. Good luck with you're conceptual apple box.
The whole thing is simple. Replicate an existing WW2 Bomber seat, whichever looks coolest...curved or straight. If it was good enough to fly from North England to Germany and back it should do OK on a run to the "Quickie Mart"!!!
Well, yes, BUT. I'm not replicating one particular seat. Kinda features from several different period seats. I wanted to combine different aspects to end up with something that was comfortable, easy to mount, and easy to make cushions for. The main reason I've hit upon this curved back thing as an issue is because I'm planning on making 10-12 of these, not just one pair. I worry about being able to duplicate the back curve with any repeatability. I could worry my way through two no problems, but a dozen might get old
Well Fabricator C said he would make it adjustable, think of a old lawn chairstyle, for the mount only, then buld like Fabricator A style - lb+1
Fabricator A and B both have different backs. What is comfortable for one may not be for the other. The flight from England to Germany and back they were sitting in parachutes in thick sheepskin clothing and people were shooting at them a lot of the way. I can't see comfort being a big concern. Personally I need some lumbar support but that is what Obus Forms are for. If straight is the way the originals are then make them that way and the cushioning can be adjusted to suit the driver ( inflatable lumbar?) If authentic looks aren't the issue then you'd be installing recaros Stu
Hmmmmmm.....gotcha. Well...the bottom should be easy to duplicate because the curve of the bottom will be consistent on all seats. The sides will be separate sections or will the back also form the sides in a single piece? Separate sides held at a specific width, a back cut to a consistent pattern, and the consistent bottom curve should make it hard to get it wrong... I think if you have the ability to freehand two seats consistently then you CAN do as many as you like. Look at doing just one as a test piece and figure out the required jigs for multiple pieces from that one. Freehanding your way thru 12 or more IS gonna be torture!!! My opinion on having a slight curve to the back is that it might actually make the seats better, in that you won't have to worry about the back having ripples or even an "oilcanning" effect when you put pressure on them.
Dammit Larry. Haven't you heard about me and buying stuff? Plus these are a hybrid of about three diffent seats, the design of which will make my life easier.....in the long run.
My idea for what its worth is this...go sit in as many kitchen chairs as you can get your hands on... then decide after seeing which ones are curved and straight. If you are thin then it seems your spine is going to be digging in to the flat backed chair. think of how uncormfortable church pews are!
The curve makes sense in theory. Of course the three inch pad makes up for a world of sins. You could make the seat from wavy crumpled diamond plate with rocks glued on and with a pad it wouldn't make a difference. Wasn't that the basis of the whole "Princess and the Pea" story? If it's too much extra work to curve it, then make it straight. I had a 1954 M38-A1 once with the upholstry all ratty and nasty so I just removed it and sat on the flat gas tank and leaned against the hard straight back. It was ok, but not great. Some of the must comfortable bus seats I've ever used were on the Oakland Airport parking lot shuttle. They had very minimal padding, but the bottom was bowl-shaped and the back had a compund curve that wrapped around your back and also curved to match the lumbar region. It was a wonderful break from those POS modern commercial aircraft seats. .
If your making twelve sounds like you'll be selling them. Make them the easiest way you can and cool looking. No one will care how comfy they are if they are cool.
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