Hot Rods Bomber Seat Build

I am in the process of building a 34 pickup and wanted a set of bomber seats. After looking around at what was on the market I decided to try my hand at building a set. The seats are loosely based of the Schick Johnson seat used in a P51 Mustang.

First step was to sign up for a free trial of Autocad so that I could produce templates. After a bunch of mock ups I finally settled on a design and off the drawings went to be laser cut. I decided to use .065" aluminum which made for a very sturdy seat. Once I got them back all I needed to do was bend a few pieces, flare a few holes, and buck a whole lot of rivets. I still haven't decided on the edge detail. I'd like to match the channel that was used on the original seat but that will be really hard to bend. I might use a piece of round stock and slot it. It should be much easier to follow the curve of the sides.

Here is a cost breakdown.
Autocad - Free trial
Laser cutting - $425 (which includes .065" 5056)
Aluminum hat channel - $80 (eagle-aluminum.com) Part #3571
Rivet Gun - $50 (Ebay, used)
Tools - $30 Clecos, bucking bar, and rivet sets ( yardstore.com , used)
Flaring punches - $200 Allstar 1.5" and 2.5"
Rivets - $25 (aircraftspruce.com)
If anyone is interested in the CAD drawings I'd be happy to forward them.

 

Ain't that just the Bomb...er seats......Really great job @Ratspit...you have to be pretty happy with those...

So you have a bit of work still left to wrap them up but your making it look easy which it isn't...but yes not an uncommon item in postwar hotrods...

That very nice of you to offer up things for others. I'd say you could produce those and sell them...I mean others do but you seem to have a knack for it.

I look forward and I'm sure many others to your completed product. Are you making adjustable tracks?

 

Wow, that is well done. The thought of perfection comes to mind

 

Yup, I definitely have a bit more work to finish up the seats. The plan is to do a faux patina finish to get a well used look, and make some canvas cushions. Fixed mounts to preserve as much head/leg room as possible.

 

Those look great! Its a shame to cover up all that work with a pad, but more comfortable.

 

Hello Ratspit, great job and I would be interested in the CAD drawings if you would not mind. regards

 

Nice work! I don't recall the name of the product, but are you planning to apply the olive drab green finish and patina that?

 

Bullet holes.....?

 

For a finish on my last 2 builds using Frank Wallic bomber seats I've painted them with 2 good coats of satin black Krylon and when really dry highlighted the edges and rivets with a fine scotch pad. Gave the entire seat a brushed finish with wear areas.

 

@Ratspit, Aluminum technically needs (at least in aircraft) alodine before paint for corrosion and adhesion. I suppose many paints are formulated to do that...did you or are you planning that process...obviously Hotrods aren't airplanes but adhesion is important.

Ever thought of polishing it?

I was looking at a vintage Jalopy Racer yesterday that had an aviation seat in it. So yes they are an interesting period addition to vintage Hotrods that's a given.

 

I as well, would be interested in a copy of the Cad drawings, thanks in advance.

 

Very nice work!

Sent from my SM-G960U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Your seats look great, nice work.

 

These look fantastic!

I am definitely interested in the CAD file if ya got it!

 

They look great. What are you going to do with the edges? I wish I knew how to make a "j" shaped piece of aluminum to rivet around the edge.

 

I'd really like to match the patina on the original Schick-Johnson seat.

 

A "J" shaped riveted edge would be perfect but I don't know how to bend it to follow the curves.

 

I think a faux patina along the lines of either of these seats would be perfect

 

Learned to rivet in the Navy. Wasn't much use where I was stationed. Only a/c was caused by sloppy ground crews. You've done a great job. Every time I see these seats I want to build a few myself. The pleasure of driving my neighbors crazy with a rivet gun would be worth the effort.
Would also be pleased to have a set of the CAD drwgs.
Thank you,
Richard

 

Very nice work! Add me to the list for a set of cad drawings. Thank you! Hobo Jim

 

NICE JOB on the seats...….


Wish I had a 2nd to go with my P51 seat that came in my 34 Ford P/U when I got it....

 

Ok, now I'm truly jealous.

 

you might look into making hammer form blocks for the edge part.

 

Ratspit, excellent job, they look great....PM sent

 

I've had some requests for the seat designs so I thought it might make more sense to post the files here for anyone who wants them. The PDFs are scaled at 1:1 and each is set up to print on a 24"x36" sheet of paper. 3 are for dimensions only. The other 4 are the templates.

 

They look great, I would hate to think how much time you have in them.

 

@Ratspit......and I thought a name like Stogy refering to ole cigar butt was gross but I think your's captures that flavor very well too...

Joking aside that's very kind of you to share this with us...

 

Yes, Pete is a great guy. I couldn't find a printer. So he printed them for me and put them in a tube. And is shipping them to me. And when I tried to send him extra money, he sent it back and said use it for your hot rod.
There just aren't a lot of people left in this world who would do that, and I really appreciate it. Thanks again Pete.

 

Wow, this is nice work and excellent photos of the build. I have a 31 roadster pick up bodied, Lakes modified inspired rod. that I am currently working on and have been looking to build my own bomber seats. If you are willing to share the cad drawings, this would certainly save some time and be totally amazing and very generous thing to do. Cheers Pete Smith

 

Hello Peter
Really like your seat is it still possible to have the CAD for it? It would be nice in my 31 Ford projekt.