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Office of a P-38

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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P38 Cockpit.png
 
Great photo. Compared to a Spitfire cockpit, the P-38 looks roomy!
 
I guess seat cushions were a factory option that the government opted not to spring for - that makes a Southwest Airlines seat look downright luxurious by comparison. Comes back to the whole "built to serve a single purpose" - comfort was certainly not a military priority.
 
In that type of seat, the pilot sat on the parachute. 38s were too much for the "so-called" average pilot. It was just too much airplane with complicated procedures in flight for the inexperienced kid just out of training. But the major problem for, even the experienced pilot was it had no cockpit heat, and that was the biggest complaint. It is said that it was so cold at around 28,000 feet, that some even suffered from frostbitten feet and hands! Hard to concentrate in those conditions. It was a warm-weather aircraft. Early models had serious engine problems also, the Allisons didn't fare too well in the 38 but later models had upgraded powerplants which brought it's performance up tremendously. I think the proper bailout procedure was to roll it on its back to avoid getting entangled in the horizontal stabilizer.
 
Yeah, but what a view the pilot had over the instrument panel.
Hi Yamamoto.jpg


Erica
 
Major Richard Bong, World War II USAAF pilot and Medal of Honor recipient, America's top ace with 40 victories all in the Lightning, was from Poplar Wisconsin, less than an hour west of here on US-2 (part of which has been named for him).
Richard Bong.jpg

Erica
 
Does it say suitable for aromatics? What does that mean?
 
maynard said:
Does it say suitable for aromatics? What does that mean?
Click to expand...
Aromatics are cyclic, unsaturated hydrocarbons with alternating double bonds such as benzene. The EPA has severely limited the amount permitted in gasoline, but the Air Corps concern was its volatility.

Erica
 
Aromatics are/were a way to increase "octane" (i.e. anti-knock) in ICE fuel. Examples include benzene, toluene, and xylene.
 
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