More than once I have heard FRED described as “cheeky,” which my dictionary defines as “impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way.”  That about sums up Eric Clutton’s sense of humor as well—the original FRED still sports a mock Spandau from his “FRED Baron” days!

That said, FRED is also a rugged and safe little airplane.  Safety is no laughing matter, but I think I have found a way to combine the two.  Since you need to put a seat harness in your FRED,you may as well make or buy one just like the ones worn by the RAF fighter pilots of World War II?  Why?  Because you can!

It’s called a Sutton harness.  I had heard the term before, but only really understood it after reading Build and Fly Your Own Plane by Robert Lowe, himself an ex-RAF Hurricane pilot, a great little book about building an Evans Volksplane VP-1.  In it, he describes the Sutton harness and how to make your own for less money and significantly less weight than a factory seat harness.  Here, from a Norwegian aero modeler’s site of all places, is a clear description of the original installations.  And if it was good enough for a Hurricane or Spitfire….

In short, the Sutton harness as Lowe describes it consists of four (or five if you want a five-point harness) 2” web belts each with a series of 1/2” grommeted holes spaced 4” apart.  Instead of a buckle, there is a big pin (Lowe made his from a 3/8” carriage bolt) which passes through holes in each belt, all secured with a spring steel safety pin through a hole in the end of the bolt.  To release, just pull the spring pin and lift up the belt ends.  Bolt and safety pin are attached to the straps with tethers so they don’t get lost.

If you don’t want to make your own, but are looking for that period feel for your plane, you can order a genuine Sutton harness from Anglia Sailplanes in the UK, who still make them new for the Tiger Moth guys.  Their site is a little sparse, without prices or photos, so you’ll have to call, but you can see an example of their work in the photo above.  If you are building your own and ask nicely, perhaps they will sell you just the locking bolt and the big safety pin.

Eric Clutton’s own FRED currently sports a surplus harness from a Gloster Meteor jet fighter, but in early days it featured….a Sutton harness!

Photo:  An Anglia Sailplanes Sutton harness awaits installation.  Courtesy of Roy Nerou of the Chilton Aircraft web site.