British Aircrew Full Pressure "Windak" Flying Suit
The Cold-War era of High Altitude flying led there to be an array of different flying suits and helmets trialled for this purpose. At the time, nobody really knew the effects of flying at high altitudes, or what the adverse affects of a sudden cabin depressurisation could be (such as the fear of canopy blowing off). To protect the aircrew against this perceved danger, initial efforts were placed on developing fully enclosed pressure suits.
The life span of the development full pressure suits was short lived, as it was soon realised that partial presure helmets and a pressure jerkin, and eventually just a demand oxygen mask and pressure jerkin was sufficient to "get you down" safely after a cabin depressurisation event.
Of the array of full pressure suits tried, this series, known collectively as the "Windak" suit and helmet has become the most well known, due to many television and film apperances in science-fiction works, as space suits.
"Windak" was a trade name used by Baxter Woodhouse Taylor, and had been in use since the second world war on items of heated flying clothing. However, people seem to solely refer to this series of full pressure suits as "The Windak Suit", even though the series contains a few variants.
I have no decent written information on the development of this suit, nor details of the variants aside from what can be seen in this collection images.
Factory Images
Three Different Suits, date unknown
The two outer people wear two slight variants of what we collectively call "The Windak Suit" in blue. Differences can be seen in the aluminium fittings on the legs, and details on the gloves, tops of the boots, and groin.
The suit and helmet in the centre is an unknown type.
This image was sent to me some years ago by Christian Brydges.
Single Suit, 1962
This image was found on the Hello Spaceman Blog. The source states the date as 1962.
Bike test, date unknown
Assumed to be part of the testing of the suit, this poor fellow is seen cycling wearing an inflated Windak suit. A gauge is fitted to the handle bars for observers to presumably check the suit pressure, while a thin hose can be seen going off to the right, presumed to be supplying oxygen to the wearer.
This image originates from Plate 26 of Baxter Woodhouse & Taylor Ltd report "High altitude & the B.W.T. full pressure helmet & suit".
Concept Drawings
This series of wonderful concept drawings from BWT was shared with me by Christian Brydges.
They show initial concept ideas for the design of what would become the full pressure Windak suit.
It is interestig to note the ejection seat in the below image resembles the lightweigt seat gun of the Folland Gnat. It shows a seat mounted headrest, tucked up inside the rear shell of the helmet, an interesting concept:
Publications
Flight Magazine No 2740, Volume 80, 14 September 1961
This edition of Flight gave a very detailed review of the 1961 Farnborough SBAC show, including the information from this page about the Baxter Woodhouse Taylor, Windak full pressure suit and helmet.
In Film and TV
Film: First Men In The Moon, 1964
Film: Star Wars,
TV: Doctor Who, The Wheel In Space, 1968
Zoe and Jamie spend some time in their BWT Windak full pressure suits and helmets. Note the Windak label can be seen on the soulders.
Exhibit
Leicester Space Centre
(WIP: Photos soon) While visiting the Leicester Space Centre with my family, I chanced upon this Windak Suit, just hanging there in a classroom.
Note, it is displayed incorrectly with an E-Type partial pressure helmet.