P-38 tribute magazine scans... part 2

[beaky]

The original contract called for only 13 YP-38s, but of course once the US entered the war they started building more, and creating improvements and variations.

     


At the height of production, Lockheed set up a three-line mechanized assembly system, but because of space, final assembly was moved outdoors into the fine Socal weather.

     


A militarized P-38 cockpit.

     



One of the secrets of the Lightning's outstanding record for field service, often in very difficult conditions: the modular engine assemblies. Still not easy swapping out an Allison V-12, but at least it was relatively simple to remove one for service or replacement. Note the red metal "false leading edge" protecting the plumbing in the wing...

     


A final check of the Lightning's array of arms: four 50-cal Brownings, and a single 20mm cannon. The central-pod placement, the stagger of the guns, and the P-38's excellent yaw stability made it a superb gun platform.



Next: part 3- a woman's touch

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Good afternoon Sean...

I love that 3rd shot with the cockpit, did anyone notice the instrument just above and to the left of the "Turn and Bank Indicator" which has I believe a Directional Gyro Compass and an Inclinometer at the bottom of it.

[beaky]

Good afternoon Sean...

I love that 3rd shot with the cockpit, did anyone notice the instrument just above and to the left of the "Turn and Bank Indicator" which has I believe a Directional Gyro Compass and an Inclinometer at the bottom of it.  
Haven't seen one of those in years!    ;)

Come on Sean now enlighten us, what is it's designation.  
I can't remember it's proper designation but I do believe the "Trutak Attitude Direction Indicator" does the same thing and more.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

You got me... there are a few items in there that I cannot identify, and the magazine doesn't provide any info. Must've been quite a job transitioning into the P-38, as there were no 2-seaters at first... it seems bewildering, like most fighters of the era.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Goodmorning Sean...

I checked out a P38 website and found a cockpit picture much the same as the one you posted.

The picture shows three different instruments all with attached inclinometers, they were:
-the normal turn and bank indicator with an inclinometer (on most aircraft especially good old fashioned bugsmashers)
-directional gyro compass but what is different is your picture (and the other picture I found) shows an inclinometer as part of that instrument...most aircraft especially bugsmashers just have the directional gyro compass
-a third instrument I saw just below the gunsight also had an inclinometer...not sure what it was though...I am sure it was helpful though as the pilot could keep his eyes outside the cockpit and still see how his aircraft was flying

Very interesting cockpit to say the least.

I wonder if any of our other members who frequent museums and such have seen cockpits with these type of instruments...

Sorry Sean don't mean to take over your thread but that is one interesting cockpit you posted...thanks..

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[beaky]

I am most curious about that big handle to the left of the yoke... something to do with the guns, maybe?

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Hi Sean...

I was doing a little research and I came up with a couple of things.

Most instruments were supplied to the United States Army Air Force by a company called Pioneer later to become Bendix Aviation.
Some furthe search showed the same instrument in the T6/Harvard and the P40.
I am sure it was in many more aircraft as I remember seeing it  but can't remember on which type I flew where I saw it.

I got thinking about the pictures "Canuck" posted here on the Harvard so I sent him a message about the instrument and hope he will get back to me after he speaks to his father or mechanics.

I can't seem to find anything else on the Internet but again I am not all that familiar with the blasted electronic gizmo.

The large handle, hmmm...not sure, something else to try and find out about.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Hagar]

Can't say I've seen one of those instruments before but that's hardly surprising. The P-38 is a rare bird in this part of the world. I found this photo now all we need is the index to go with it. http://uscockpits.com/Early%20Fighters/P-38%20Lightning5.JPG

More cockpit photos here --> http://uscockpits.com/Early%20Fighters/Early%20Fighters.html#P38

I found out that the big lever is a gun charging handle with the charging selector below it. I have no idea what that does but it was fitted only to early models of the P-38. http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/38cpL.gif

More cockpit views here ---> http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/More_P-38_Stuff.html

I also found some very interesting training films in streaming video. http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/P38.html

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Gosh Darn I knew you would come through again Doug...
Now all we got to do is find out what the designation of instrument #4 is and who made it.
My curiosity is killing me.  ;D

It must have been used is some RCAF, RAF or Fleet Air Arm Aircraft as I know I have flown something with that in it.  I don't think it was the old Dak, but they had so many different models and upgrades I am not sure.

Thanks for those wonderful sites as well and at least Sean, you got your answer.    

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[beaky]

Thanks for those wonderful sites as well and at least Sean, you got your answer.    

Thanks, and there's more to come when I get back to the home PC this weekend.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Looking forward to that Sean.  

I spent another good hour trying to track down that instrument on the Internet this morning and no luck.

I would have thought the companies of Pioneer, Bendix and Sperry would have history sites of their products but I just can't seem to navigate to them.

Hope someone else can come up with the information.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Hagar]

I've seen the same instrument fitted to most US-built fighters of the period so it's probably a standard part. These could have been manufactured by various companies under both the AN (Army/Navy) standard & their own part numbers. I suspect it's an early model Directional Gyro & later versions probably did away with the "bubble" when that became part of the standard Turn & Slip indicator. (The 'Turn & Bank' indicator fitted to the standard RAF blind flying panels has a needle to indicate slip instead of the bubble.)

This is the AN5735-1 Directional Gyro fitted to aircraft like the P-40, P-47, P-51D & probably many others. It looks very similar to our mystery instrument but without the inclinometer. This one was manufactured by Sperry (P/N 646050).


Here's another one manufactured by the Electric Auto Lite Corp. This was fitted to a RAAF Mustang.


I've found the same instrument manufactured by other companies including the Jack and Heintz Company and Ternstedt (GM Motors instrument division).

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Thanks Doug...
That picture of the cockpit with all the numbers for each instrument, was that in a book or perhaps we can find it on the internet somewhere with the labels that coincide with the instruments.

Thanks for taking an interest.  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Hagar]

Thanks Doug...
That picture of the cockpit with all the numbers for each instrument, was that in a book or perhaps we can find it on the internet somewhere with the labels that coincide with the instruments.

Unfortunately I found that photo on one of the sites I linked to. Just found this one on the P-40E. According to the label it's a "Turn Indicator". http://uscockpits.com/Early%20Fighters/P-40E%20Warhawk.JPG

Thanks for taking an interest.  

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

This sort of thing fascinates me. Shame I'm not working now or I could probably find out a lot more.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Hello All...

So Doug they say it is a "Turn Indicator", so it must be a Directional Gyro Turn Indicator with an Inclinometer which would be nicer to have than just an ordinary Directional Gyro Turn Indicator that we see in most of the old bug smashers.

Okay so now my question would be to all those actual aviators on this forum, what would the benefit to the pilot be with this type of instrument?  I am sure it would still have to be reset to the compass heading every fifteen (15) minutes or sooner.  

Myself there would be a benefit when in actual instrument conditions and doing approaches, that would be a very good instrument to have.

I don't think Sean would mind seeing a few comments on this particular instrument.  

Thanks again Doug.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug