British Aircrew PEC Mk8
Stores Ref: 6D/2914 | Martin Baker Part No: MBEU/415 UW
The Mk8 PEC was only used in the Royal Navy for the Buccaneer and Sea Vixen.
It superceded the Mk4 when the underwater escape / ejection system was introduced to these aircraft. The Mk8 differs from the MK4 by the addition of a small bore hose to trigger the infaltion bottle of the Mk8 life jacket (modified for underwater escape by moving the bottle to the right hand side, and increasing its capacity).
A "Fighter Type" PEC for low altitude, it provided connections for: breathing oxygen, AVS, anti-G trousers, life jacket inflation for underwater escape, and communications.
NOTE: Often the Mk8 PEC gets mis-identified as a Lightning PEC (mainly by Ebay sellers). The Lightning only used the Mk1 PEC for all Mks of aircraft.
Manufacturers Resources
Overview of personal equipment connectors, Airmed, WW191 Issue 4, July 1975
Service Images
Fleet Air Arm / Royal Navy 809 Squadron Buccaneer Aircrew
This image shows the Mk8 PEC, with it's small bore hose connected to the special release head of a Mk8 life jacket for underwater escape.
Exhibit
Mk8 PEC dated Feb 1969
The man portion plate is dated 2/69, the oxygen hose cure date is 1967, and the life jacket inflation hose is dated 1968.
RAF / RN AP Resources
AP4744B-AN, Part 1, Capter 13, Paragraphs 14 and 15, AL6, 1969
This extract from the Buccaneer S Mk.2 Aircrew Notes describes the Mk8 PEC and its connection to the LSW for underwater ejection.
Quote:
(h) Modified PEC
The personal equipment connectors are modified to include the air line to the LSW inflation bottle and incorporaes a spring-loaded ball valve in the aircraft portion, held open when the seat and aircraft portions are connected and automatically closed to conserve the air when they separate.