DVHAA Museum Hosts 'Iron Maiden' Exhibit

In the decades before the 80s hair band by the same name launched a barrage of heavy metal tunes, scientist R. Flanagan Gray climbed into what looked like a cast aluminum deep sea diving suit to test theories about submerging the human body in water during space flight. 

The "Iron Maiden," which was designed to keep water in while being attached to the Johnsville Centrifuge, was tested on Dec. 7, 1958 and set the world record of 31.25 G force. 

"That record still stands today," said Mark Hurwitz of the nonprofit Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association, the entity housing the Iron Maiden exhibit in its on Route 611 at least through spring. "Basically, a person would sit inside the iron suit and be connected to the giant centrifuge and spun around at high speed."

According to a press release DVHAA distributed, Gray, during the research, donned a special mask and goggles designed for high-g’s and submerged himself in the water that filled the body enclosure and inserted a breathing tube in his mouth. He took a deep breath and held it. With a nod of his head, he signaled that he was ready for his research associates to take the world renowned Johnsville Centrifuge to its maximum. The ride gradually took Gray to 31.25 Gs sustained for approximately 5 seconds. By the time the run was over, Gray was exhausted and quite worse for wear but a world record holder nonetheless. 

The museum's Acting Curator Virginia Brooke called the Iron Maiden a "one-of-a-kind piece of equipment used in America’s space race."

"We won’t have it for long," Brooke said. "So come in and see it before it leaves.”