tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29433834215501552932024-03-08T17:48:55.209-08:00Tailhook Topics DraftsTailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-16842095828162643902024-03-08T17:48:00.000-08:002024-03-08T17:48:15.833-08:00FS 12197 International Orange<p> FS 12197, International Orange, has been used on U.S. Navy aircraft for high-visibility markings. It can be confused with other colors also used for that purpose. Also note that it is more red-orange than orange...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB68WUMqiVTLReTTPQH8qVkgUdJnyklCUmPcpj-IujOcuFDjiAtLgtB6nU2P_5200YXyHHgpPMGxsEAK7UapTEnSiQLWgawngBUg5W6j9SOSv9L34ZIbU-3-DNBf7HgwAgP-TYqMxUC3uyHyi353mZaqTyaQvkEbpYeILaLfCIwRMf9vNJlinb8jlmJS7m/s2048/Image%203-8-24%20at%2010.18%E2%80%AFAM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="2048" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB68WUMqiVTLReTTPQH8qVkgUdJnyklCUmPcpj-IujOcuFDjiAtLgtB6nU2P_5200YXyHHgpPMGxsEAK7UapTEnSiQLWgawngBUg5W6j9SOSv9L34ZIbU-3-DNBf7HgwAgP-TYqMxUC3uyHyi353mZaqTyaQvkEbpYeILaLfCIwRMf9vNJlinb8jlmJS7m/w640-h298/Image%203-8-24%20at%2010.18%E2%80%AFAM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For example, Robert Thomas, a volunteer at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, provided this synopsis:</p><p>"For the high visibility markings the USN originally used the Orange Yellow color (think the SNJ, etc.). In the early 1950s they started using International Orange on some aircraft. The Naval Air Training Command in 1952 tested various colors in hopes of better visibility. In September 1952 "Day-Glo" paint had been developed. It was labor intensive, as it had to be applied over a White lacquer finish, needed two coats, and started dulling after one to two months. After trying other paint designs, they went back to the Orange Yellow overall markings. In 1953 the USN discontinued all use of Day-Glo paint.</p><p>In 1956 International Orange paint began to be used on tactical aircraft in the continental U.S. due to the increased chance of air-to-air collisions with civilian aircraft. In 1958 Fluorescent Red Orange replaced International Orange as the standard high-visibility paint on non-training aircraft. In 1959 the Training Command went completely to an International Orange and White paint scheme.</p><p>In May 1964 the Navy discontinued use of fluorescent Red Orange. It also required high upkeep due to fading issues. At that point all high-visibility paint markings were to be in International Orange only, which is still used today on training a/c and where necessary on other types. The FS numbers appear to not have changed over the years. International Orange is FS12197 and Fluorescent Red Orange is FS28913. Orange Yellow is FS13538."<br /></p><p>A color in a published illustration or on a computer screen is not always rendered accurately so even the color above is not necessarily true. It may not even appear to be consistent in the same picture: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GAld0945EaGigr2SU1Y395NGg_cuOanKlw9EXXTghXrlryFzf5DzyrqWeDXlYUcdJgeqHqEopJ-mHNOh001KpyUMSff3N4U5dsruS-sp7n2gbz0uWUeupBuVsGnW0rEtXoZGt1guGoEFOdupN8PuuGKOwdGpdyWmbTpyDGtBeDSVDMVsRYmA9ngGKECI/s4472/D4C-3746a%20copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="4472" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GAld0945EaGigr2SU1Y395NGg_cuOanKlw9EXXTghXrlryFzf5DzyrqWeDXlYUcdJgeqHqEopJ-mHNOh001KpyUMSff3N4U5dsruS-sp7n2gbz0uWUeupBuVsGnW0rEtXoZGt1guGoEFOdupN8PuuGKOwdGpdyWmbTpyDGtBeDSVDMVsRYmA9ngGKECI/w640-h386/D4C-3746a%20copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that the color on the top of the left wing appears to be more orange than the bottom of the left wing or vertical fin (which both appear to be more red than the sample above) and the horizontal stabilizers appear to be somewhere in between.</p><p>Even a direct comparison with insignia red in a pretty good photo isn't necessarily helpful:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6tRRu6o5Brsue9aztlRBc-UCv1hU9l9s9R0rKVWjRsXh9_MFRWA9MzHjZ-Tqe0s50dweQV2pM7EVxEGDMv8bNQ-P69NGaX-nB_VRrwg54on6PjphnWsveHJV-ljXSkSESePzo0LT2VdEw6Wq6AzeNS9hu0WKCScH-C9SygQOnIgcSd2bHhxwMEMFLcUQ/s2165/D4C-288%20May-8-57%20copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2165" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6tRRu6o5Brsue9aztlRBc-UCv1hU9l9s9R0rKVWjRsXh9_MFRWA9MzHjZ-Tqe0s50dweQV2pM7EVxEGDMv8bNQ-P69NGaX-nB_VRrwg54on6PjphnWsveHJV-ljXSkSESePzo0LT2VdEw6Wq6AzeNS9hu0WKCScH-C9SygQOnIgcSd2bHhxwMEMFLcUQ/w640-h318/D4C-288%20May-8-57%20copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p> Of course, the underlying prime coat or adjacent color to the International Orange may affect its appearance:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CYAoiFharQ4N2khR-Fe2YxZfUQhIhwGNzYUNLTbbD0MDwtrsMfvcCeRQOZRBtNRctqUt7D3GOdxmTfjna4Eb2uQF5uRASuOinOTxRdhwLYeiS6ko5Ln14ww6GsZ8ExW5NT6DgQrmpIVJVejsTHyWxDNT1awXST3k0WFiIrK4D6_MkSw9v5mBdjqAcZQs/s512/CH-46%20FS16081%20and%20FS12197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="512" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CYAoiFharQ4N2khR-Fe2YxZfUQhIhwGNzYUNLTbbD0MDwtrsMfvcCeRQOZRBtNRctqUt7D3GOdxmTfjna4Eb2uQF5uRASuOinOTxRdhwLYeiS6ko5Ln14ww6GsZ8ExW5NT6DgQrmpIVJVejsTHyWxDNT1awXST3k0WFiIrK4D6_MkSw9v5mBdjqAcZQs/w640-h378/CH-46%20FS16081%20and%20FS12197.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Available 12197 paints also vary in color. Paul Boyer recommends Testor Model Master “Chevy Engine Red” (if you can find it) especially under artificial light; in his opinion, Testor Model Master “International Orange (FS12197)" was too dull in artificial light. Others have found Model Master Acrylic 4682 and XtraColour X104 to be too orange.</p><p>Other recommendations found on line:</p><p><a href="https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/fs_table.shtml">https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/fs_table.shtml</a></p><p> <a href="https://www.scalemates.com/colors/hataka-hobby-red-line--997/a062-international-orange-fs12197-ana-508-acrylic-gloss--9859">https://www.scalemates.com/colors/hataka-hobby-red-line--997/a062-international-orange-fs12197-ana-508-acrylic-gloss--9859</a></p><p> <a href="https://www.truenorthpaints.com/paintstore/international-orange">https://www.truenorthpaints.com/paintstore/international-orange</a> (looks too orange on my screen)</p><p><a href="https://www.arizonahobbies.com/US-Air-Force-INTERNATIONAL-ORANGE-FS-12197-2-oz-bottle_p_4600.html">https://www.arizonahobbies.com/US-Air-Force-INTERNATIONAL-ORANGE-FS-12197-2-oz-bottle_p_4600.html</a> (looks good on my screen)<br /></p><p> Rustoleum "Allis Chalmers Orange”<br /></p><p>And probably as good as any, "red with some yellow added". <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-70791985249648498062023-07-04T08:32:00.013-07:002023-07-07T08:58:56.408-07:00Grumman S2F Bomb Bay<p> From Grumman Archives:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNZNmeDNNTgF9ZQBDct2Kfos7RCIeOnw8DXby7b06aJNfmK9aRWRQxMUR-ufm8rfqBebDgJpUTQFv0Vy7X-BEwlrVKY22FQd2LlIWJ8Me0UColyCSDxkgrFPUQ6MlT3UefcDT6n2KsypcYh70yNzKPCTmCDF-y3LnSAAJPvO2IW5wmpI6flKiVJYGgFL8/s2921/S2F%20Two%20Torpedos%20in%20Bomb%20Bay%20lightened.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2241" data-original-width="2921" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNZNmeDNNTgF9ZQBDct2Kfos7RCIeOnw8DXby7b06aJNfmK9aRWRQxMUR-ufm8rfqBebDgJpUTQFv0Vy7X-BEwlrVKY22FQd2LlIWJ8Me0UColyCSDxkgrFPUQ6MlT3UefcDT6n2KsypcYh70yNzKPCTmCDF-y3LnSAAJPvO2IW5wmpI6flKiVJYGgFL8/w640-h492/S2F%20Two%20Torpedos%20in%20Bomb%20Bay%20lightened.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSudBA-z9d9Cx0ry6zM8fZ3T47NHatpKZTafhX-G_avoARV9DBL7lDFAYgX2U1PIN58rzLkVp10vPrKft2yx1UJzTySYJrrk20lDVUlxgWL_yCo83NUvOokBGLQRzbbJr5WJKIvgBlPONFzqXIf3FCCMDmqdFmXK4WeQUmsO3l1jFHLoHEHeFFygEx3HAp/s3430/S2F%20Bomb%20Bay%20Loads.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3430" data-original-width="2552" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSudBA-z9d9Cx0ry6zM8fZ3T47NHatpKZTafhX-G_avoARV9DBL7lDFAYgX2U1PIN58rzLkVp10vPrKft2yx1UJzTySYJrrk20lDVUlxgWL_yCo83NUvOokBGLQRzbbJr5WJKIvgBlPONFzqXIf3FCCMDmqdFmXK4WeQUmsO3l1jFHLoHEHeFFygEx3HAp/w476-h640/S2F%20Bomb%20Bay%20Loads.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1oy7vdMT3C5KXHvb5WeRiph-K8LMP8gpGV6mPegRUlJ84WFS30UVnMykny5-830Oy0I63y6bjTgfM-7hvss2jqdrWJlJ1jsrycraYQ0taeQxNxglw4k_Ck9RkjysiaJVRK8wYhqnLFs-VNI4fZnpoOftoMQ5iwYi0nX3_uVkKjltUlGtO9POm9cPs8U_/s1715/S2F%20Stuff0066.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1oy7vdMT3C5KXHvb5WeRiph-K8LMP8gpGV6mPegRUlJ84WFS30UVnMykny5-830Oy0I63y6bjTgfM-7hvss2jqdrWJlJ1jsrycraYQ0taeQxNxglw4k_Ck9RkjysiaJVRK8wYhqnLFs-VNI4fZnpoOftoMQ5iwYi0nX3_uVkKjltUlGtO9POm9cPs8U_/w476-h640/S2F%20Stuff0066.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3YQD5RZA8Lk--q38hXm3PXihxZ79rXaFUSvHMaZWVcxv0XGYnksp3enWta-1YGgJo5Vt06uaZELOtVaLckJlUmG6iRGJHt_iNiiVlra-sz88U10mXUzfOZ6p_vBEkCoX2LeGxKzutLoYmD_e7zEyTxI6NpKGck_ftSmSA1HDA3KTWm-9Sqny4vq67mci/s1715/S2F%20Stuff0067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3YQD5RZA8Lk--q38hXm3PXihxZ79rXaFUSvHMaZWVcxv0XGYnksp3enWta-1YGgJo5Vt06uaZELOtVaLckJlUmG6iRGJHt_iNiiVlra-sz88U10mXUzfOZ6p_vBEkCoX2LeGxKzutLoYmD_e7zEyTxI6NpKGck_ftSmSA1HDA3KTWm-9Sqny4vq67mci/w476-h640/S2F%20Stuff0067.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf15stRWDWtpfgFydUTI6caKR9He7N_qNs7xuGeKDArU0EmQu35FUFbhaBI3-xv0J8KYxQ1XqNEWJk0vg5Iz-DHvGHjUx3iRK4804MDb1JMK8sZ3s3d6v2Zsim3X4eAelZ_FRbuT69PJWTSlAlfWinj0PA5PR0PZFUzuiKv0v61RmrnTjuLZtuWopCBKC/s1715/S2F%20Stuff0070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="1276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf15stRWDWtpfgFydUTI6caKR9He7N_qNs7xuGeKDArU0EmQu35FUFbhaBI3-xv0J8KYxQ1XqNEWJk0vg5Iz-DHvGHjUx3iRK4804MDb1JMK8sZ3s3d6v2Zsim3X4eAelZ_FRbuT69PJWTSlAlfWinj0PA5PR0PZFUzuiKv0v61RmrnTjuLZtuWopCBKC/w476-h640/S2F%20Stuff0070.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-9344195435097227512023-06-30T21:02:00.019-07:002023-07-01T06:14:43.238-07:00A-6A versus A-6E Inboard Wing Fence Locations<p> 1 July 2023: It turns out that there is the same drafting error on two different Grumman drawings with respect to the location of the inboard end of the leading edge slat. I've corrected it.</p><p>A question arose about the the location of the inboard end of the wing slat on the A-6A versus the A-6E with the inboard wing leading edge ECM antennas. The answer is that it was not changed. Note however, that the inboard wing fence location did change: it was moved inboard of the inboard pylon.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXkLFSndR0N5HS4RyOOFgBZ5V2Ka4hEOdLm2i9AJ-zUuZUo2wvF2t06Yw_7f5Xin5ZnOxPqim-UIodL2_PZ_2bvXNK-bif_wK6qL09o997SmJi8eOtu_807eLbxdzUtdWLM2wzgsk8X6az40nuKeveXl4da0698F7y6fTuytIaP9j2PoIDI7MFDlQzEKp/s2723/A-6%20Fence%20Location%20Corrected.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="2720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXkLFSndR0N5HS4RyOOFgBZ5V2Ka4hEOdLm2i9AJ-zUuZUo2wvF2t06Yw_7f5Xin5ZnOxPqim-UIodL2_PZ_2bvXNK-bif_wK6qL09o997SmJi8eOtu_807eLbxdzUtdWLM2wzgsk8X6az40nuKeveXl4da0698F7y6fTuytIaP9j2PoIDI7MFDlQzEKp/w640-h640/A-6%20Fence%20Location%20Corrected.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>All dimensions shown are "wing stations" measured from the fuselage centerline.</p><p>For more on the major configuration differences between the A-6A and A-6E, click here: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2015/09/grumman-6a-vs-6e-intruder.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2015/09/grumman-6a-vs-6e-intruder.html</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-62764745161550638662023-06-27T16:27:00.002-07:002023-06-27T16:29:21.687-07:00McDonnell F2H Banshee Canopy Actuation<p>The F2H Banshee canopy was actuated by a
rack and pinion mechanism. The rack was mounted fore and aft on the
canopy, attached at its aft end and underneath the cross brace. The pinion was driven by an electric motor mounted on
the deck under the canopy. The rack was angled slightly upward going aft
so as the pinion turned, the aft end of the canopy moved upward as well
as aft. The forward attach points of the canopy were in a track that
caused the front end of the canopy to go up as well as aft also for
clearance of the pilot's helmet. The -1/2 and -3/4 canopy actuators are
very similar if not identical. </p><p>The F2H-2 canopy:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IWh5It0mTb4SUQfiGqs5k8jXuUfzizNjuGkWpMBoDwGUkgCm_BseufCru5k_NB3P_OX7DHxdLLAVcxQP3yYkKAyXxBjyo6cbJqRf4pzn19vB1AQTSGEVseWOqDmBPPakY4jah717_qCwnbkc4E0GqMcy2KyOdX40ugUY-tEGrUS-c65d1IpxO_7RlRgh/s1624/F2H-2%20Canopy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1621" data-original-width="1624" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IWh5It0mTb4SUQfiGqs5k8jXuUfzizNjuGkWpMBoDwGUkgCm_BseufCru5k_NB3P_OX7DHxdLLAVcxQP3yYkKAyXxBjyo6cbJqRf4pzn19vB1AQTSGEVseWOqDmBPPakY4jah717_qCwnbkc4E0GqMcy2KyOdX40ugUY-tEGrUS-c65d1IpxO_7RlRgh/w640-h638/F2H-2%20Canopy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Closed (early windscreen):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqbRrQ9MJe9zaYtZ5N9ojA0lgltpOmsoQ4TCU921rMDkNupk0SxRlFS-3H-UKQI7zNtbjsJU39GI_zlIc2xB3j0IxKweHwtu2gkSnytpblAMSqtw4EjLr8RTvGJVIP6CkWcCdFwD5PBhIUbs65FuD_yUdXr7F5EIGgCKXye3fdk-0cp1cwKqlHhYyi5Hn/s843/F2H-2%20Canopy%20Early.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="843" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqbRrQ9MJe9zaYtZ5N9ojA0lgltpOmsoQ4TCU921rMDkNupk0SxRlFS-3H-UKQI7zNtbjsJU39GI_zlIc2xB3j0IxKweHwtu2gkSnytpblAMSqtw4EjLr8RTvGJVIP6CkWcCdFwD5PBhIUbs65FuD_yUdXr7F5EIGgCKXye3fdk-0cp1cwKqlHhYyi5Hn/w640-h254/F2H-2%20Canopy%20Early.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Open:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyvHp15Xs-LciHL346aS3qK-ePEXjIrXPFd-VCeH3ts0CX0ygrODDjemnXVWiDz9Ch10ZkpZ2c9RF5A3uzgPSQVng9DwMMwE49-pRn3_8oogXTQY1OjHcUGlhUgCGorWMyycAORETFAHK3CUC5o1cSQXwwcQH9a6qCmKLrHTJZdQ78Kh0rNIUgPT9EqTH/s441/F2H-2%20Canopy%205of6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="441" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyvHp15Xs-LciHL346aS3qK-ePEXjIrXPFd-VCeH3ts0CX0ygrODDjemnXVWiDz9Ch10ZkpZ2c9RF5A3uzgPSQVng9DwMMwE49-pRn3_8oogXTQY1OjHcUGlhUgCGorWMyycAORETFAHK3CUC5o1cSQXwwcQH9a6qCmKLrHTJZdQ78Kh0rNIUgPT9EqTH/w640-h296/F2H-2%20Canopy%205of6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-20838254574691112552023-03-24T08:12:00.000-07:002023-03-24T08:12:15.463-07:00Douglas A3D-2P/RA-3B Skywarrior Cockpit<p> As with most photographic-reconnaissance airplanes, the pilot was provided with a periscope so he could orient the airplane for pictures taken by his downward-oriented cameras. The A3D-2P had two periscopes, one for the pilot to position the airplane over the area of interest and one for the photo-navigator in the right seat to trigger the cameras to take pictures of it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKIcnwSqRGSwid3UMpLOrhVs4aKvRq0eGTRpRu4mlnhFllnXgjN6QWBgGIz6ar99NDf8TW2LYXymVNo1YkwmwWOtmOwkYqip0I7vywsLaqUj-0RaTGrwYlO646qgqNnoypSvcEwsb7Vp1O8IQp8SaF9PKbFMLCgkFi3NblzQws8ifpkFoZwZXoFbFPQ/s1850/A3D-2P%20Periscope%20Illustration.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1850" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKIcnwSqRGSwid3UMpLOrhVs4aKvRq0eGTRpRu4mlnhFllnXgjN6QWBgGIz6ar99NDf8TW2LYXymVNo1YkwmwWOtmOwkYqip0I7vywsLaqUj-0RaTGrwYlO646qgqNnoypSvcEwsb7Vp1O8IQp8SaF9PKbFMLCgkFi3NblzQws8ifpkFoZwZXoFbFPQ/w640-h284/A3D-2P%20Periscope%20Illustration.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> The viewfinders were large and prominent on the instrument panel:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAjT2QOMSXAPi2UKuIgL1aaHjjA063A9u4T6XRjgvVQ-smeIL2SWtX5V_onrEXsNPNYtSvpS6N9fjIQM93cDkxtR6ogA9EcNXKxHLhvDkEqY3BnY51YTscO676bW9eXhiejemCRl-9fe5n5Hk_Wk-QCqJQSQeZVVSKRDaWw-oyU8ekb4KJwayGyircw/s1897/A3D-2P%20Cockpit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="1897" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAjT2QOMSXAPi2UKuIgL1aaHjjA063A9u4T6XRjgvVQ-smeIL2SWtX5V_onrEXsNPNYtSvpS6N9fjIQM93cDkxtR6ogA9EcNXKxHLhvDkEqY3BnY51YTscO676bW9eXhiejemCRl-9fe5n5Hk_Wk-QCqJQSQeZVVSKRDaWw-oyU8ekb4KJwayGyircw/w640-h424/A3D-2P%20Cockpit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>The cylinder below the viewfinder for the photo-navigator was a radar scope.<br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-18332753593679843792023-02-19T11:11:00.001-08:002023-02-19T11:11:30.066-08:00Miscellaneous Paint and Markings Notes - U.S. Navy Aircraft<p> This is a work in progress and to paraphrase Captain Barbossa, specifications are more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual "rules". For example: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/06/markings-cautionary-example.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/06/markings-cautionary-example.html</a> and <a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2019/05/grumman-f9f-8-upper-control-surface.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2019/05/grumman-f9f-8-upper-control-surface.html</a><br /></p><p><b>Summary, 1940 to Gray/White:</b> </p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/12/early-world-war-ii-usn-paint-and.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/12/early-world-war-ii-usn-paint-and.html</a> </p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/06/brief-f4u-corsair-oriented-history-of.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/06/brief-f4u-corsair-oriented-history-of.html</a> </p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2009/12/changing-from-blue-to-graywhite.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2009/12/changing-from-blue-to-graywhite.html</a></p><p>F4U-2: <a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/06/f4u-2-color-scheme.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/06/f4u-2-color-scheme.html</a> <br /></p><p><b>Blue Angels:</b> <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/04/blue-angel-blue-and-gold-draft.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/04/blue-angel-blue-and-gold-draft.html</a><b> </b></p><p><b>Bombs (WW II): <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/us-navy-bombs-up-through-wwii.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/us-navy-bombs-up-through-wwii.html</a></b></p><p><b>Bomb bays:</b></p><p>As of 5 February 1951, bomb bays are to finished with zinc chromate tinted to match nonspecular interior green (before then, a color wasn't specified).</p><p>As of 7 July 1955, the interior of bomb bays was to be glossy insignia white.</p><p>See <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wbaiv/29623364988/in/photostream/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/wbaiv/29623364988/in/photostream/</a> for pictures of the interior of a KA-3B that appears to be unchanged from when it was in service. Note that there is a rubber fuel bag in the upper part of the bomb bay resting on tinted zinc chromate support structure.</p><p><b>Cockpits:</b></p><p>General: <a href="http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2015/04/cockpits.html">http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2015/04/cockpits.html</a></p><p><b></b> F9F Panther: <a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2012/12/f9f-panther-cockpit-color.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2012/12/f9f-panther-cockpit-color.html</a><br /></p><p><b>Corogard:</b></p><p><b></b>Overview: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/01/corogard.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/01/corogard.html</a> </p><p>A4D/A-4: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2017/01/corogard-on-a4d-4.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2017/01/corogard-on-a4d-4.html</a></p><p><b>Red Edges and Interior Surfaces: </b><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/10/painting-crush-points-red.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/10/painting-crush-points-red.html</a><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Rescue Arrow:</b> <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-brief-history-of-rescue-arrow.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-brief-history-of-rescue-arrow.html</a> <br /></p><p><b>Sea Blue vs. Insignia Blue:</b> <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/06/sea-blue-vs-insignia-blue.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2012/06/sea-blue-vs-insignia-blue.html</a> <br /></p><p><b>Wheel Wells:</b> </p><p>Note: wheel well color was NOT specifically specified before 23 February 1955 <br /></p><p>General: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2018/07/what-color-are-wheel-wells-on-insert.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2018/07/what-color-are-wheel-wells-on-insert.html</a></p><p><a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2019/11/wheel-wells.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2019/11/wheel-wells.html</a> </p><p>Grumman F8F Bearcat: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2014/07/f8f-bearcat-wheels-and-wheel-wells.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2014/07/f8f-bearcat-wheels-and-wheel-wells.html</a> <br /></p><p><b>FJ-2/3:</b> <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/08/north-american-fj-23-cockpit-and.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/08/north-american-fj-23-cockpit-and.html</a></p><p><b>World War II Norfolk Scheme:</b></p><p><b></b><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/ww-ii-color-scheme-anomaly.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/01/ww-ii-color-scheme-anomaly.html</a> </p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/09/world-war-ii-asw-schemes-versus-norfolk.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/09/world-war-ii-asw-schemes-versus-norfolk.html</a> </p><p><b>Cold War Unit Markings:</b> </p><p><a href="https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2014/02/whos-your-daddy.html">https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2014/02/whos-your-daddy.html</a></p><p><a href="https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2009/11/air-groups-and-markings-in-transition.html">https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2009/11/air-groups-and-markings-in-transition.html</a> </p><p>Still to come: radomes...<br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-20919321230943473242023-02-16T08:41:00.015-08:002023-02-16T08:46:48.717-08:00DIY North American A3J-1 Conversion from RA-5C<p> If' you're tired of waiting for an injection-molded kit... Good luck!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJuWSV6UmgaRvT-UOQ39XKSulYzsKE4pageQrr0QIOLbgbGJA_lCmsV810WNBHea33P8-uftHNo07PZWVaH0Dt57tPsWD0zckRhnxyvZgrxfYhW60ch-xKVs3E05uZd9jmfd4rnetspYydtMMp_8na-ku1MquODi3tmVAUTWuFbhqMIx74tlL2nvnwQ/s6991/NAA%20A3J%20Multiview%20Drawing%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5350" data-original-width="6991" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJuWSV6UmgaRvT-UOQ39XKSulYzsKE4pageQrr0QIOLbgbGJA_lCmsV810WNBHea33P8-uftHNo07PZWVaH0Dt57tPsWD0zckRhnxyvZgrxfYhW60ch-xKVs3E05uZd9jmfd4rnetspYydtMMp_8na-ku1MquODi3tmVAUTWuFbhqMIx74tlL2nvnwQ/w640-h490/NAA%20A3J%20Multiview%20Drawing%202.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg749acngVtWcHNMqvTJISrUhBJDHI2sVq_F1rETun-Z0FhIOa1DAVS3-qBSPMOvxAYQv5pqbia0fRoGtPp2EMt5-tjcaCXmcJXMMAq5veaEusbL-OdqpqaD8RrEzyQIG8b4coUa98VHwAFVacWcVRPYvaIrdWnGEr2a3_n4BknjbnjI2XnfBXtrsbjNQ/s2154/A3J-1%20SAC%20three%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2154" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg749acngVtWcHNMqvTJISrUhBJDHI2sVq_F1rETun-Z0FhIOa1DAVS3-qBSPMOvxAYQv5pqbia0fRoGtPp2EMt5-tjcaCXmcJXMMAq5veaEusbL-OdqpqaD8RrEzyQIG8b4coUa98VHwAFVacWcVRPYvaIrdWnGEr2a3_n4BknjbnjI2XnfBXtrsbjNQ/w396-h640/A3J-1%20SAC%20three%20view.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjlR7rCFJyvj9P6PZae8YSU3GruQIfAK-16dVCi6h5IN-5c8aaGVJ80s2LKBDpyFgvHE3aeXDmwIyX7vRuV7VtedEeTJ7_PAu-JHh3LUt4eS995BsKvTbLShQ9sfb_c6Jcm_e-MGvHnUK31MnlxU9eRqdGvpsJXieZfeKPh004Fg5davOy7OvWDKSbQ/s669/RA-5C_VigilanteSAC670701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="421" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjlR7rCFJyvj9P6PZae8YSU3GruQIfAK-16dVCi6h5IN-5c8aaGVJ80s2LKBDpyFgvHE3aeXDmwIyX7vRuV7VtedEeTJ7_PAu-JHh3LUt4eS995BsKvTbLShQ9sfb_c6Jcm_e-MGvHnUK31MnlxU9eRqdGvpsJXieZfeKPh004Fg5davOy7OvWDKSbQ/w402-h640/RA-5C_VigilanteSAC670701.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TT5zFJfOGThtJF9aO3IUWGZ4qGjZsDopxB_bBsm7N_4-AM6YAKcU1gvt0VXSY89ihaOkSrrd3Sj6XR0w-CniQukxZ02PB1hucDDLPxtWUN-HNOy7YmH_ZRncsT3Tidvce2qR_1vWSuGF5GeJz5g7sbUSIOg-uceSF72w2_jty8pGzHmTWPMdwh-fEQ/s1777/A3J%20vs%20RA-5C%20Forward%20Fuselage%20Conversion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1777" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TT5zFJfOGThtJF9aO3IUWGZ4qGjZsDopxB_bBsm7N_4-AM6YAKcU1gvt0VXSY89ihaOkSrrd3Sj6XR0w-CniQukxZ02PB1hucDDLPxtWUN-HNOy7YmH_ZRncsT3Tidvce2qR_1vWSuGF5GeJz5g7sbUSIOg-uceSF72w2_jty8pGzHmTWPMdwh-fEQ/w640-h390/A3J%20vs%20RA-5C%20Forward%20Fuselage%20Conversion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The red line shows the RA-5C upper fuselage line. The canopies in red are from a North American RA-5C three-view drawing compared to the shape of the North American A3J-1 drawing.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-69884266475642292972023-02-10T10:35:00.520-08:002023-02-16T08:07:17.371-08:00Grumman EA-6A Intruder<p>Dennis Jenkins provided some of the pictures; much of the information was taken from his excellent EA-6A/B monograph. Rick Morgan provided comments on the post, including: "I'm a firm believer that the EA-6A was the best jamming platform anyone
used in Vietnam, having the best combination of frequency range, jamming
strength and survivability. The Marines did great work with it." <br /></p><p>In the late 1950s, the U.S. Marines initiated a program to modify obsolescent Douglas F3D-2 Skyknights, a two-place jet night fighter, for EW (electronic warfare) missions as a replacement for their propeller-pulled Douglas AD-5s. These F3D-2Q/EF-10Bs had limited performance in all respects but provided essential threat-radar reconnaissance and strike-mission radar warning and jamming at the beginning of U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam in 1965.</p><p></p><p></p><p>In the meantime, Grumman and the Marines created a program to develop a modification of the new A2F (subsequently A-6) Intruder that had first flown in April 1960 for EW missions. The prototype EA-6A, BuNo 148618 that had been the eighth A-6A built, first flew in April 1963. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw60WrzvNJ_lM8tWOFraAb1LmWNt518TcZ-O_dmDAdZ1v4u8TcTjhFlvKWOwDz6UmGVakrFuhCzN_n5jyTPNfeQRDK5mRUWqyuyRTcs6wVKytDBYRuK5c9FDP3MUOfks7gRobCUsT3-cKazQ0j4b1XC0MRLE-RRLC_bRewSTL9UQ0z2SQ5wHJ7Qh-A/s884/EF-10B%20and%20EA-6A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="884" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZw60WrzvNJ_lM8tWOFraAb1LmWNt518TcZ-O_dmDAdZ1v4u8TcTjhFlvKWOwDz6UmGVakrFuhCzN_n5jyTPNfeQRDK5mRUWqyuyRTcs6wVKytDBYRuK5c9FDP3MUOfks7gRobCUsT3-cKazQ0j4b1XC0MRLE-RRLC_bRewSTL9UQ0z2SQ5wHJ7Qh-A/w640-h410/EF-10B%20and%20EA-6A.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>For in-depth coverage of both the EA-6A and EA-6B programs, two paperback monographs are recommended:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileKlYpMmoQJNoxH4vLg74nrPDkHkwehJnhyhqLP-tsXjjig0kUmuUEt2DNQi4X2L7fG-E8MlH_LJCRVBIkAf9vSQe9mQOghTlcfNDoEiJn_zPGrIY4QMkcOnOs0aWqNpFjWf37OMnsjIWgSu_Ln8tr2SU51x_AGv7mZ9Z9b65n4noBsQgMbNx_zdlHw/s1092/EA-6%20Monographs.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1092" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileKlYpMmoQJNoxH4vLg74nrPDkHkwehJnhyhqLP-tsXjjig0kUmuUEt2DNQi4X2L7fG-E8MlH_LJCRVBIkAf9vSQe9mQOghTlcfNDoEiJn_zPGrIY4QMkcOnOs0aWqNpFjWf37OMnsjIWgSu_Ln8tr2SU51x_AGv7mZ9Z9b65n4noBsQgMbNx_zdlHw/w640-h402/EA-6%20Monographs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Both are available used for $10 plus shipping on Amazon. I prefer Jenkins' Aerofax Minigraph 7 as it is more complete from a technical perspective and up-to-date as of 1989 but Aerophile Extra Number 2 has more for the model builder, including reviews of kits available at the time of its publication, 1985. Jenkins subsequently posted an errata report.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJAzRpIlhgFXsu8b6nfUoSUY677Qwu9o7ygVamlWrG9sB1j0mL0YYEWb9NMHq9xcGy0oJfj4RYq6Bd5SCeQTTgzibyaBIdaS2vADrUSgy58E9wQ-37Q2uMHIA6-saSr_q2gHVtyrNjuAom1YOIJlI0NaXTqqcoriMdIpHgpHMS2JUKIS_1QrMlku00g/s1222/Jenkins%20Errata%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJAzRpIlhgFXsu8b6nfUoSUY677Qwu9o7ygVamlWrG9sB1j0mL0YYEWb9NMHq9xcGy0oJfj4RYq6Bd5SCeQTTgzibyaBIdaS2vADrUSgy58E9wQ-37Q2uMHIA6-saSr_q2gHVtyrNjuAom1YOIJlI0NaXTqqcoriMdIpHgpHMS2JUKIS_1QrMlku00g/w394-h640/Jenkins%20Errata%20.jpeg" width="394" /></a></div><p>The first six EA-6As were conversions of early production A-6As, BuNos 147865/148616/148618/149475/149477/149478 (not in order of acceptance; 147865, the second A-6A, was the last to be accepted as an EA-6A)<br /></p><p>The next six EA-6As were redirects of A-6As on the production line, BuNos 151595-151600</p><p>The final 15 of 27 total were new builds, BuNos 156979-156993</p><p>A-6A BuNo 149935, the 21st A-6A, was used as an avionics test bed (NEA-6A); it is not included in the total of 27.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGpSQloK_xjQ_fA0UwEzugAnonLcTBq_zMOrG8q0UE6BxKlRE1tJdXdOWksw5DoOLbldaUXaTURsOvm5inDkraiwVpWTyc0t5z2rdxWBvKR97U-S2pK5egRSiyhIFx4Wn3rcCxErh3I5p3oUxUZTwMt8YAPcEFJ33SCJsPy7j9FuJU7QAHkfgp95fXw/s645/EA-6A_ProwlerSAC-670701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGpSQloK_xjQ_fA0UwEzugAnonLcTBq_zMOrG8q0UE6BxKlRE1tJdXdOWksw5DoOLbldaUXaTURsOvm5inDkraiwVpWTyc0t5z2rdxWBvKR97U-S2pK5egRSiyhIFx4Wn3rcCxErh3I5p3oUxUZTwMt8YAPcEFJ33SCJsPy7j9FuJU7QAHkfgp95fXw/s16000/EA-6A_ProwlerSAC-670701.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm going to limit this post to the major differences between the A-6A and the EA-6A and summarization of the various changes over time to the EA-6A's exterior and cockpit.</p><p>The major external differences were:</p><p>- Eight inches longer fuselage ahead of the nose landing gear and smaller radome<br /></p><p>- A large blade antenna on the forward-facing nose landing gear door; this required that the landing/taxi and angle of attack lights be relocated on the door and the lower anti-collision light be relocated forward on the fuselage.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7CXbV3jVodBWQP24rSDPwPKFYoZx3TNWEROCIesTaVrG_vx_QyAeYzwmQAye1inIE122RHKfBHCURVpkX0p083OM3ct1SJ2R4LXaihsKgrwHHfc1b8dzpjbJkGoVU1ast24aLXsyktu4msYxjzVEPy2OMRmtWRmJlCdFA6XVhqUC75Uau14TtWGYig/s506/P.%20O'Donnell%20Nose%20Gear%20Door%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="429" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7CXbV3jVodBWQP24rSDPwPKFYoZx3TNWEROCIesTaVrG_vx_QyAeYzwmQAye1inIE122RHKfBHCURVpkX0p083OM3ct1SJ2R4LXaihsKgrwHHfc1b8dzpjbJkGoVU1ast24aLXsyktu4msYxjzVEPy2OMRmtWRmJlCdFA6XVhqUC75Uau14TtWGYig/s320/P.%20O'Donnell%20Nose%20Gear%20Door%20copy.jpeg" width="271" /></a></div><p></p><p>- Pylon provisions under the outboard wing (denoted "A" and "B") for a total of seven, originally to carry a large pod on a bespoke pylon (shown in the three-view drawing above) for passive ECM (electronic countermeasures) reconnaissance; only the first 12 EA-6As carried this pod. The location was subsequently used for a conventional multi-purpose pylon to carry other mission-related stores; according to Rick Morgan, as of 1979 A and B were only cleared for AGM-45
Shrike and ALE-32 chaff pod. "When FEWSG got the bird they added ALQ-167 and 170
jammers to the list. ALE-41 and -43 chaff pods were eventually added as well."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVWwEE0gCbC_-KevN64jvTM_eAsSfimOeqYMFGqSpyFr1ed9CMJJW43b6KMn72ByVuGHdcgjcbwX3DKZpN6jessb3ayXaehYQAHqNCVO1dDuegO-vn_WRbgb1DwV_MwZrQ5G7d2_KgKjx3BlEvasLrgHBoVGkx84RmiNrdKrHpaXJYwdOFkBZ3SRgdQ/s984/ALQ-53%20outer%20wing%20pods.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="984" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVWwEE0gCbC_-KevN64jvTM_eAsSfimOeqYMFGqSpyFr1ed9CMJJW43b6KMn72ByVuGHdcgjcbwX3DKZpN6jessb3ayXaehYQAHqNCVO1dDuegO-vn_WRbgb1DwV_MwZrQ5G7d2_KgKjx3BlEvasLrgHBoVGkx84RmiNrdKrHpaXJYwdOFkBZ3SRgdQ/w640-h346/ALQ-53%20outer%20wing%20pods.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>- Third wing fence located outboard of the wing-fold joint (it was probably not aerodynamic but required to strengthen the wing aeroelastically for the utilization of the pylon on the outboard wing to carry stores)</p><p>- Deletion of speed brakes on the wing tips and retention of the fuselage-mounted speed brakes deleted from the A-6A</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PmC-ubN1kjWl5OEjQOWB8SRccuq6_RrK7KNvtVumMj7J2RADOlUCxrCgjPeQTg0wWLWiSo5ksPPXpzY52kV9BrzEstKxKrU6KQ80bOiP66x-Rf1i5Z-KR7SBYWfrLW7eDZQoulyn-urPkvAD6qVW_JAHEsLSeWMQ261N8esoRYQ21OwKR2Rnrkmoew/s1513/Wing%20tip.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="1513" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PmC-ubN1kjWl5OEjQOWB8SRccuq6_RrK7KNvtVumMj7J2RADOlUCxrCgjPeQTg0wWLWiSo5ksPPXpzY52kV9BrzEstKxKrU6KQ80bOiP66x-Rf1i5Z-KR7SBYWfrLW7eDZQoulyn-urPkvAD6qVW_JAHEsLSeWMQ261N8esoRYQ21OwKR2Rnrkmoew/w640-h236/Wing%20tip.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>- A small air scoop on the top of the mid fuselage, a larger one beside it on the upper left side of the mid fuselage, and a small antenna fairing on the top of the fuselage forward of the scoops</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cpym23ugTI7SLoMeKtTxzGq6P_vA3urhQymJZtS63jvvO_tU1DFWadtNL6_F6BODL3E41rBah-1AIGmM2y8n8E_VXRmeI71-_QrHC9EOKvpaUkQ6Mt9aqpTq4z3VDKA6h6FXnujxoj30jiPN6gSYkgy2BqXgQM95GVaKH3fEpxDHFBtw06WgrdTJGQ/s1870/EA-6A%20Upper%20Details%20Tow-View.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1870" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Cpym23ugTI7SLoMeKtTxzGq6P_vA3urhQymJZtS63jvvO_tU1DFWadtNL6_F6BODL3E41rBah-1AIGmM2y8n8E_VXRmeI71-_QrHC9EOKvpaUkQ6Mt9aqpTq4z3VDKA6h6FXnujxoj30jiPN6gSYkgy2BqXgQM95GVaKH3fEpxDHFBtw06WgrdTJGQ/w640-h468/EA-6A%20Upper%20Details%20Tow-View.jpeg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cropped from photos provided from Tailhook Association via Mark Aldrich</div><p>- A large antenna fairing on the top of the vertical fin (note that the two antenna fairings on both sides of the EA-6B vertical fin were not present on the EA-6A): this resulted in the upper anti-collision light being relocated to the aft end of the sliding canopy<br /></p><p>At some point, the pitot was removed from the left wing tip and replaced by two pitots on either side of the top of the nose ahead of the refueling probe:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpHqFl3WPMkccIdIHR6VCAEvx_iDkBBsBi13sZUMXHE8AECN18VYUTvETCFhW9Tq7FpYm6-YoCCSRBvaClhqMvSI2AYAI_rDyjGVkNVJUdTgvKuV4PIT0HMdX2ZU7rbqKt6tWnobggVCmg7ORxMegVTBmk3yxDue-sSjQyaOX4d20nP7L3jF1S9062Q/s401/Nose-mounted%20pitots.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="401" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpHqFl3WPMkccIdIHR6VCAEvx_iDkBBsBi13sZUMXHE8AECN18VYUTvETCFhW9Tq7FpYm6-YoCCSRBvaClhqMvSI2AYAI_rDyjGVkNVJUdTgvKuV4PIT0HMdX2ZU7rbqKt6tWnobggVCmg7ORxMegVTBmk3yxDue-sSjQyaOX4d20nP7L3jF1S9062Q/s320/Nose-mounted%20pitots.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The DECM antenna mounted on a boom extending forward from the middle pylon on each wing was not originally present on some or all of the first 12 EA-6As and it was removed from the later RECAP aircraft.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAT1uoNrKW7tBkvwQw8np7FxycgZvbFC6RyHrG3kTt7zF217kvN5Z5Sv5SlFeu5sEDeWT4g448S4sjwNNoUL11uWosjDOVS1Hr0p04vDJjrKU-h6DUmxbX7VTTM65OM9_g86j_JwM5n6Hv9e138TjdCQnRvu1nXsPiT6GD1ynTEtQaIVxwjXB3KDenw/s467/Pylon%20mounted%20DECM%20antenna.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="467" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAT1uoNrKW7tBkvwQw8np7FxycgZvbFC6RyHrG3kTt7zF217kvN5Z5Sv5SlFeu5sEDeWT4g448S4sjwNNoUL11uWosjDOVS1Hr0p04vDJjrKU-h6DUmxbX7VTTM65OM9_g86j_JwM5n6Hv9e138TjdCQnRvu1nXsPiT6GD1ynTEtQaIVxwjXB3KDenw/s320/Pylon%20mounted%20DECM%20antenna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL-z1myv464lnE-QcaXQP4fi6ig4wDQTs4DHYtDLJcmgQMpaugsSwavhKzbboMy-fGLNx6QKkdefVtq7NF5Nk-7lP22pabRtWOLy9b9wJRAkbxvx7lJFceENUkC3hCBE56Mey_10rZiKsLPgjzuuiq92FPMVB3UtHrsG1d3U769Zg7N0OACSlEX9eTQ/s2370/Mid-life%20EA-6A%20Rev%20A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="2370" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL-z1myv464lnE-QcaXQP4fi6ig4wDQTs4DHYtDLJcmgQMpaugsSwavhKzbboMy-fGLNx6QKkdefVtq7NF5Nk-7lP22pabRtWOLy9b9wJRAkbxvx7lJFceENUkC3hCBE56Mey_10rZiKsLPgjzuuiq92FPMVB3UtHrsG1d3U769Zg7N0OACSlEX9eTQ/w640-h218/Mid-life%20EA-6A%20Rev%20A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The cockpit for the first 12 EA-6As:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCUCaUs2APIUgw5GPM8-0izk7I-8LmIVRswEcuG_0NiOwwgxNPzfPTtLEvhR-WiR9IspVGDIC9Q3wpyc_TQwTLfxCaeLUNSFQ1Av6pSrKOJLEqcRXPstNxD-3O2N41DprVzPwu4T57R6he7FrRbvPxamhr-BkiRpjDqMcpaZ3mGmtAYYMz57kngRBUQ/s2256/Early%20EA-6A%20Cockpit.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1863" data-original-width="2256" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCUCaUs2APIUgw5GPM8-0izk7I-8LmIVRswEcuG_0NiOwwgxNPzfPTtLEvhR-WiR9IspVGDIC9Q3wpyc_TQwTLfxCaeLUNSFQ1Av6pSrKOJLEqcRXPstNxD-3O2N41DprVzPwu4T57R6he7FrRbvPxamhr-BkiRpjDqMcpaZ3mGmtAYYMz57kngRBUQ/w640-h528/Early%20EA-6A%20Cockpit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that the left side of the instrument panel is virtually identical to the A-6A's and the right side, like the A-6A's, is farther aft since the right seat was farther aft and lower than the left seat for pilot visibility to the right.<br /></p><p>A subsequent change in the mission equipment suite resulted in this EWO (electronic warfare operator) instrument panel:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7JHC78Mf04LVNyV8XG4A_4QgE9OYB6ZKLFPHjkNQVtE7tG7C-MDN1CrsA9D4d2Oor4AKSYjIsoh_nSASgDgR9kwJ7czHm6T4qEZyFaFhAC9meFoHyU3ndPDVdUzqN6YnG3VTQPCldOnFdytJast1SV6wkOz4XwD8KNNVUpKv3dY8cJIuxueZu0uW3A/s720/EA-6A_Intruder_Right_Late.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7JHC78Mf04LVNyV8XG4A_4QgE9OYB6ZKLFPHjkNQVtE7tG7C-MDN1CrsA9D4d2Oor4AKSYjIsoh_nSASgDgR9kwJ7czHm6T4qEZyFaFhAC9meFoHyU3ndPDVdUzqN6YnG3VTQPCldOnFdytJast1SV6wkOz4XwD8KNNVUpKv3dY8cJIuxueZu0uW3A/w640-h400/EA-6A_Intruder_Right_Late.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Finally, 11 EA-6As went through a RECAP program which resulted in this cockpit configuration:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGXIuby_OskIx7c185gD_Tl0Fp2CxJ4e6T_l9XwOd6fsSTcOo1_uSocy3KGYt206Se6FxSa2dUFv8uyzjvHMlSkAjYpLSeYdmKPwMK_kcuWQRgLkxIVg7fmi74eN9dLEEiLrx-URqnJJk_n2SYniS1cWtHx226NOvzAyze_0hkzZD5QPQf3MWqF_SfA/s2909/RECAP%20Cockpit.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2909" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGXIuby_OskIx7c185gD_Tl0Fp2CxJ4e6T_l9XwOd6fsSTcOo1_uSocy3KGYt206Se6FxSa2dUFv8uyzjvHMlSkAjYpLSeYdmKPwMK_kcuWQRgLkxIVg7fmi74eN9dLEEiLrx-URqnJJk_n2SYniS1cWtHx226NOvzAyze_0hkzZD5QPQf3MWqF_SfA/w640-h254/RECAP%20Cockpit.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that in the picture of the pilot's instrument panel, the pilot's A-6A vertical display indicator has been replaced by a standard attitude director indicator and the left side of the WSO's instrument panel is visible.</p><p>The EA-6A crew was originally seated on Martin Baker GRU-5 seats. These were subsequently replaced by GRU-7 seats in the mid 1970s. The seats are similar in appearance but very different in detail, e.g. the parachute housing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEFNSu_L5qm89_aW4Iv-zi1I2yaW3MQcckJL4QGmqr2T6IbJiM43uRneypHLTekF1we3v-w304p4Q1nxPvDA2detwciBKVnGGZhDVCqJzzhXmFZW29eLfzjZMfHOltm7CEAvTjy8NyxedE11WDjFSRIRAAjik2jZeqgzeRXeGh9Nby5rJreFydAQAg/s1717/M-B%20Seat%20Illustration.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1717" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEFNSu_L5qm89_aW4Iv-zi1I2yaW3MQcckJL4QGmqr2T6IbJiM43uRneypHLTekF1we3v-w304p4Q1nxPvDA2detwciBKVnGGZhDVCqJzzhXmFZW29eLfzjZMfHOltm7CEAvTjy8NyxedE11WDjFSRIRAAjik2jZeqgzeRXeGh9Nby5rJreFydAQAg/w640-h568/M-B%20Seat%20Illustration.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>RECAP also resulted in external configuration changes. Among other details, the doppler radar fairing under the aft fuselage and the boom-mounted DECM antennas were removed, a small forward facing antenna was added at the base of the inflight refueling probe, an antenna fairing was added under each wingtip, and a small "beer can" antenna was added on the aft end of the fin-tip pod.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHaUSUfAiM1gQJ3swkbDL9u1uD6LaYUn0fRBKbyW9WTexSu6iBd07MpBVFRdq_TgOCY4ZCuOCkKYfB-1mFt1zSv-8sKqZowpdgdfOGTrqSWEqiGT1-dIPaYcHrO2u6TLAIMS4sFHMKiWWECBB-S5YbEFtAvRd4MVP7tSudD_8EGGZPDMJEfRkXFOPmg/s1558/RECAP%20Annotated%20Picture.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1558" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHaUSUfAiM1gQJ3swkbDL9u1uD6LaYUn0fRBKbyW9WTexSu6iBd07MpBVFRdq_TgOCY4ZCuOCkKYfB-1mFt1zSv-8sKqZowpdgdfOGTrqSWEqiGT1-dIPaYcHrO2u6TLAIMS4sFHMKiWWECBB-S5YbEFtAvRd4MVP7tSudD_8EGGZPDMJEfRkXFOPmg/w640-h218/RECAP%20Annotated%20Picture.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> Antenna on inflight refueling boom:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguyGQLJEVAZqTI4mcjEx2t1rLXaZFhO0qLQjJkwf25bcffMDtxRn0aQ4mu5dGdL7fCDx2uXoH5aIUTRq_SO6qwWZyS1uGEK_UV2RDouZOeHm53e4LrN5ezVE_p3yiS7hTF4mjRqOhwu1aQHaNdEcUt7vB74oV8mQUlVrh6w3ROBut-2b2KQTYHB027g/s396/RECAP%20refueling%20probe%20antenna.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="396" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguyGQLJEVAZqTI4mcjEx2t1rLXaZFhO0qLQjJkwf25bcffMDtxRn0aQ4mu5dGdL7fCDx2uXoH5aIUTRq_SO6qwWZyS1uGEK_UV2RDouZOeHm53e4LrN5ezVE_p3yiS7hTF4mjRqOhwu1aQHaNdEcUt7vB74oV8mQUlVrh6w3ROBut-2b2KQTYHB027g/s320/RECAP%20refueling%20probe%20antenna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Antenna on the underside of the wingtip:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TT5LlAiG--yAO5ET7yytzPiCVKHceR3BhS4a-JtY88ELp-pbtpcD0U7rIqHF0I4hCAfMB0Kdcv6WKBFn-FBWWF5Ln_gCRPnkUSNpk6_YW4W-We6PCqqe0r8Kdvtvntf5oRptkqpR7Cn50wFHtd4qMgDMG_RDPDGtvIO-u8kER62O7P-RFW2BcwJDkw/s906/RECAP%20underside%20of%20wing.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="906" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TT5LlAiG--yAO5ET7yytzPiCVKHceR3BhS4a-JtY88ELp-pbtpcD0U7rIqHF0I4hCAfMB0Kdcv6WKBFn-FBWWF5Ln_gCRPnkUSNpk6_YW4W-We6PCqqe0r8Kdvtvntf5oRptkqpR7Cn50wFHtd4qMgDMG_RDPDGtvIO-u8kER62O7P-RFW2BcwJDkw/w640-h206/RECAP%20underside%20of%20wing.jpeg" width="640" /></a> <br /></div><p>The RECAP BuNos were 148618/149475/151596-151600/156983-5/156987<br /></p><br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-31293879854712855852022-11-13T09:22:00.008-08:002022-11-13T10:14:53.791-08:00North American AJ Savage Carrier-Based Tanker<div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLskTlKX1DajvykQ8nIXmf7dpvPJSFMYiF-QSLrYeo3SjoUf2N2_2tFqU7ZwjQCrHMVAIMnQNNrwF-UEAjLTjghqxzN8y0EwIFjpaIxO6jDb7UUJdJZ3zX5z3UxOdldb--gKs3QoH7CWEh_FYRU_8MuPwuBfs0td1Ku3h5S8Fnw6I_xHJEw9GXGfP0w/s2769/AJ%20and%20F7U%20web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="2769" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLskTlKX1DajvykQ8nIXmf7dpvPJSFMYiF-QSLrYeo3SjoUf2N2_2tFqU7ZwjQCrHMVAIMnQNNrwF-UEAjLTjghqxzN8y0EwIFjpaIxO6jDb7UUJdJZ3zX5z3UxOdldb--gKs3QoH7CWEh_FYRU_8MuPwuBfs0td1Ku3h5S8Fnw6I_xHJEw9GXGfP0w/w640-h248/AJ%20and%20F7U%20web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The AJ Savage, the U.S. Navy's first carrier-based bomber that could carry the 10,000# Mk 4 nuke was not only big (humongous, really), folding it required so much time and effort that it wasn't done unless the Savage was a "dud" that had to be taken down into the hangar (see <a href="http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-wing-and-fin-fold.html">http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-wing-and-fin-fold.html</a>).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FZsp_fQK-ju9s_epuqTbuwrnIP33RUB1xaXRIP08tcxgoojZjVQQ62utMHMncbz2_9nruSy5ZsJGNKsjZsRg-cXgGWFEQrUOtpEJj42gW7It-zUg6Z-kp_BFyka1hiP27O2KZm3SEsTUuKwvMjGrXN1w1FVvDlpoRZmw6qNcXExCBwHVCUK80oJ2YA/s1024/Coral%20Sea%20with%20AJs%20Med%201952%20via%20Greg%20Bishop%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1024" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FZsp_fQK-ju9s_epuqTbuwrnIP33RUB1xaXRIP08tcxgoojZjVQQ62utMHMncbz2_9nruSy5ZsJGNKsjZsRg-cXgGWFEQrUOtpEJj42gW7It-zUg6Z-kp_BFyka1hiP27O2KZm3SEsTUuKwvMjGrXN1w1FVvDlpoRZmw6qNcXExCBwHVCUK80oJ2YA/w640-h510/Coral%20Sea%20with%20AJs%20Med%201952%20via%20Greg%20Bishop%20copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coral Sea 1952; USN photo via Greg Bishop</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because its presence was so disruptive of operations on axial-deck carriers, AJs were usually based ashore and only flown out to a carrier periodically. If needed for a wartime mission, they would then be loaded with nukes that were stored on the carrier.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The advent of smaller, equally powerful nukes that could be carried by AD Skyraiders and F2H Banshees made the AJ even less welcome since the AD had about the same range. However, it was slow: the war might well be over before it got to its target. The Banshee's cruise speed was much faster than the AJ's but it had significantly less range. The best combination of range and speed for the mission was quickly determined to be en route inflight refueling of the Banshee by the AJ (<a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2009/11/nuclear-banshees.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2009/11/nuclear-banshees.html</a>).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are many pictures of the AJ refueling jets but no closeups of the refueling apparatus itself. Jerry Wells was able to provide me with detailed illustrations from North American manuals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The AJ's cavernous bomb bay was just about filled with a 1,300 gallon fuel tank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MVM-BT1PpDZBQoAFExwjRnpFRpV0ckS-e8OQ1ALcSgoXA_ozhfBysSt3hb2wcqlHuDzBBys5eU6YMLr5leBP9naf6lRXA1TbblYJkEcDa9yHSiZkBvg-n8RKrqoBhFKtGElW15rzG8Clzi0em_IdYbJYl7G5W-aHCd995Z-9pMrWUh7lj18C-RiHTQ/s602/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%205-13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="602" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MVM-BT1PpDZBQoAFExwjRnpFRpV0ckS-e8OQ1ALcSgoXA_ozhfBysSt3hb2wcqlHuDzBBys5eU6YMLr5leBP9naf6lRXA1TbblYJkEcDa9yHSiZkBvg-n8RKrqoBhFKtGElW15rzG8Clzi0em_IdYbJYl7G5W-aHCd995Z-9pMrWUh7lj18C-RiHTQ/w640-h366/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%205-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The hose reel and drogue-deployment mechanism was mounted on the back of the tank (the drogue is in the retracted position):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpi-u4eOkp0qwLYIRQT-Uf7ZREgCfaM8cWpWS7bl7ckIEeN501KUcug5lfgoF0Gh7WY2vpMfmkIItJ6Hru-plp5I6TFCj3Slqa6bcz1ozn-p8NU_5iImlziTouZAowbKgP38whoXYOuAATE3pcBqSwjAx-eW9JgHXa9li62PNmHIoSjfZi4ZHQMh2Pg/s2549/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%202-10A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="1984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpi-u4eOkp0qwLYIRQT-Uf7ZREgCfaM8cWpWS7bl7ckIEeN501KUcug5lfgoF0Gh7WY2vpMfmkIItJ6Hru-plp5I6TFCj3Slqa6bcz1ozn-p8NU_5iImlziTouZAowbKgP38whoXYOuAATE3pcBqSwjAx-eW9JgHXa9li62PNmHIoSjfZi4ZHQMh2Pg/w498-h640/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%202-10A.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><p></p><p>A small opening was provided in the bomb bay doors so the drogue mechanism could be deployed below the fuselage (because of the size of the drogue, the doors had to be opened to lower the drogue and then closed again).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvHFv-8MWb0MHOU7PgBu6tbjve9zPagzdfpStZ881lT1Ywk5T3-k10kaqXo-v9glJqGiOIYj9WB1xRd4mJf2CK_buz866WiBkoMetJ03bR6-0oEr0a5nFCkodKjM2ZA0_0Nq-axdzH7rdzu95viNy7IshrI4E92YbSPwOycz6K-Si5fKXdx4IJ8CwAQ/s2050/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%202-12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="2050" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvHFv-8MWb0MHOU7PgBu6tbjve9zPagzdfpStZ881lT1Ywk5T3-k10kaqXo-v9glJqGiOIYj9WB1xRd4mJf2CK_buz866WiBkoMetJ03bR6-0oEr0a5nFCkodKjM2ZA0_0Nq-axdzH7rdzu95viNy7IshrI4E92YbSPwOycz6K-Si5fKXdx4IJ8CwAQ/w640-h464/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%202-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> The right side of the hose reel (the drogue is not present):<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguEyTCXtFEkGpyKQJsG6aJbNKMyeyn12DA8OvyLCdHJjnVqNdTYlTnYtNjmBUfG-kIoLBp6mAjcjs3nTu9fawxrCasHwNYgiUT6b8a7QWQPO0Ch_49mz0ISfzUeRqqr-BH8RiF1qEVdhRkjxIe10cYkAr2zkNjCrGy4IOcUgmZAiYGny0JwjMsiq4oQ/s845/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%203-12B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="811" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguEyTCXtFEkGpyKQJsG6aJbNKMyeyn12DA8OvyLCdHJjnVqNdTYlTnYtNjmBUfG-kIoLBp6mAjcjs3nTu9fawxrCasHwNYgiUT6b8a7QWQPO0Ch_49mz0ISfzUeRqqr-BH8RiF1qEVdhRkjxIe10cYkAr2zkNjCrGy4IOcUgmZAiYGny0JwjMsiq4oQ/s320/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%203-12B.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><p>Note that the fuel from the tank to the reel is provided by a line on the left side of the tank that extends from its bottom up and over the reel, attached to it from the side (<b>3</b>).</p><p>The hose was fed down from the reel to the front side of the big pulley on the drogue mechanism and then aft to the drogue itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64W0EZ8Wq1vmlMv8WJxBzknCC6gi_kKEHID_d0upr-QyYowUxpRKbopcV1BkAWjGCMqqEpQ7cRipbFSAkoaujavYpLdMW2-SCgklZ3tkTak6IGH6nKjxqaN7ShTpeCh-OqkUSykWSF7XusU-cSC8PTGTH4_aY9Rpy8U9v5tlVn_fLXNoZbD8lAPRffg/s1332/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%204-16A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1332" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64W0EZ8Wq1vmlMv8WJxBzknCC6gi_kKEHID_d0upr-QyYowUxpRKbopcV1BkAWjGCMqqEpQ7cRipbFSAkoaujavYpLdMW2-SCgklZ3tkTak6IGH6nKjxqaN7ShTpeCh-OqkUSykWSF7XusU-cSC8PTGTH4_aY9Rpy8U9v5tlVn_fLXNoZbD8lAPRffg/w640-h312/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%204-16A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The drogue at this point was a metal cone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDB81wzAeQWXTs7lgtxCiacbzvXVk8QSbRX_Q4cRTLAeeu4wwsDp365Jd_oLS-sGvj98mVtawjrIVnl4kffPHdZrsYH774SPSeDxF6j1JMpMeMxfWV-bKQV1w569I_A-Hltc-LQZgEEm8WoGIRQQvszgnCSySStMs7BPfNQva41yN2zn1rNZ8Tvf8og/s2635/Original%20Metal%20AJ%20Drogue%202of2%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2497" data-original-width="2635" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDB81wzAeQWXTs7lgtxCiacbzvXVk8QSbRX_Q4cRTLAeeu4wwsDp365Jd_oLS-sGvj98mVtawjrIVnl4kffPHdZrsYH774SPSeDxF6j1JMpMeMxfWV-bKQV1w569I_A-Hltc-LQZgEEm8WoGIRQQvszgnCSySStMs7BPfNQva41yN2zn1rNZ8Tvf8og/w640-h606/Original%20Metal%20AJ%20Drogue%202of2%20copy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is a prototype of the external mechanism being tested on an XAJ-1:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fv3Wn1NISqFaBWITb_k1R6e2H_DtCB32wXUhn9NNUzD6q_d4VqYEjym3mHHmh3EQZeDl1rrXibtfbEf_QRnxD-1dI4xfMU5zmcl9DI5aXV6Q2KyEZPiVTb1Xzeia4MHYmNsGtO74VeuoFs8_4UJB6nNsnw3Vkpm9kqYtXHzot7Hl9MMt7yX3VyCWHg/s1166/xAJ-1%20124183%20cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1166" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fv3Wn1NISqFaBWITb_k1R6e2H_DtCB32wXUhn9NNUzD6q_d4VqYEjym3mHHmh3EQZeDl1rrXibtfbEf_QRnxD-1dI4xfMU5zmcl9DI5aXV6Q2KyEZPiVTb1Xzeia4MHYmNsGtO74VeuoFs8_4UJB6nNsnw3Vkpm9kqYtXHzot7Hl9MMt7yX3VyCWHg/w640-h254/xAJ-1%20124183%20cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The operation of the refueling system was the responsibility of the rearward facing crewman on the AJ-2:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSNh_7jBkk3nkPFWuzbDNL82s0OY0G5H-E6bG9U0m2qfIMqkEXgjEBrYlJAUYe11eZoljmX77MUeTdZjj_y110-qZjqqaTa7UmECjqKcpcFQzOs-ECT0nvN0TmIx77Cogh43nlFLrH7NuSJL_9TitK2pK_GokeLqODY8dP55MTkck1yqmr6BfchGR4w/s2826/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%205-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="2171" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSNh_7jBkk3nkPFWuzbDNL82s0OY0G5H-E6bG9U0m2qfIMqkEXgjEBrYlJAUYe11eZoljmX77MUeTdZjj_y110-qZjqqaTa7UmECjqKcpcFQzOs-ECT0nvN0TmIx77Cogh43nlFLrH7NuSJL_9TitK2pK_GokeLqODY8dP55MTkck1yqmr6BfchGR4w/w492-h640/AJ-2%20Fuel%20Sys%205-9.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><p>At least one AJ-1 was equipped for inflight refueling and assigned to NATC but I don't know where these panels were located on it (the AJ-1's third crewman's position was in the compartment below the flight deck).</p><p>I don't have any three-view or station drawings of the refueling mechanism or the opening in the bomb bay doors but in the event that a modeler feels the need to add them to a kit, these pictures will help locate and size them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZPpQXqsQ2zSnGS0vkjHfPWJx41F_C15Q-ECVixxJv67KC_JxxhDifDrKflRxWgXkMU_S5a3gjEc7vb1MzkzxAwEbenM6-o1UWoxYgDDH4f0f6TWZkWKk_qyN-DhoHIXqEVw3sXFNyQQ1rE_mGRTl_vq8ikWopNQOgOQfOqpypmmrc9zwc3JpF8Pcg/s3833/Tanker%20Side%20View.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="3833" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lZPpQXqsQ2zSnGS0vkjHfPWJx41F_C15Q-ECVixxJv67KC_JxxhDifDrKflRxWgXkMU_S5a3gjEc7vb1MzkzxAwEbenM6-o1UWoxYgDDH4f0f6TWZkWKk_qyN-DhoHIXqEVw3sXFNyQQ1rE_mGRTl_vq8ikWopNQOgOQfOqpypmmrc9zwc3JpF8Pcg/w640-h264/Tanker%20Side%20View.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHZqSNtUPSf-xSVcHuK4bS2ukmleDvWr2hDxle3iV4F2PfUb11qwdrMla5AicgS_S3Yu2tCiALOHAR_x59WpstnRwUhXvQgBit5z1YUwlO-_Y_TRYTWwC_xp7SHhwiUjIN41XHIBECizTirGbDvwpEJf9RJ3FK_UUUW-d8vf_HcYvsU0cvoJvVzCEoA/s538/Opening.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="538" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHZqSNtUPSf-xSVcHuK4bS2ukmleDvWr2hDxle3iV4F2PfUb11qwdrMla5AicgS_S3Yu2tCiALOHAR_x59WpstnRwUhXvQgBit5z1YUwlO-_Y_TRYTWwC_xp7SHhwiUjIN41XHIBECizTirGbDvwpEJf9RJ3FK_UUUW-d8vf_HcYvsU0cvoJvVzCEoA/w640-h336/Opening.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-85526353587089406152022-10-23T12:18:00.000-07:002022-10-23T12:18:50.728-07:00AJ Savage Wing and Fin Fold<p> For an overview, see <a href="https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2010/03/hell-it-wont-fit-ii.html">https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2010/03/hell-it-wont-fit-ii.html</a></p><p>To reduce weight, North American eliminated the customary pilot-actuated power folding of the wings (and in this case the fin) in favor of a post-flight installation of hinges and power supply (hydraulic actuator for wing fold and arm-strong for fin fold).</p><p>For the wings, an access panel over the inboard side of the wing fold joint was removed. Two hinges were then attached to the wing at the fold joint. A hydraulic actuator was mounted on the rear hinge, which was bolted to the upper wing surface. The pins connecting the inboard and outer wings were then removed to allow the wings to be folded.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcLTgHaklcmxx7jE5_xVtLKxVjz6SemV16SycTYvKACNtTUrH9J4E-VuXim4HPmbbq8UAXo0Yf3TB0C9VQYPzvZzouXjNCPhGvpI8GAAcBRWZoThlZEkBrz4ReuFZsUXzTAC_3LlSberoQbqEUjmtPwqXhxmFI4g4t3iJ_gM2wqEMBNuacgZJXmtT8w/s4204/Wing%20Fold%20Illustration%20Annotated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="4204" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcLTgHaklcmxx7jE5_xVtLKxVjz6SemV16SycTYvKACNtTUrH9J4E-VuXim4HPmbbq8UAXo0Yf3TB0C9VQYPzvZzouXjNCPhGvpI8GAAcBRWZoThlZEkBrz4ReuFZsUXzTAC_3LlSberoQbqEUjmtPwqXhxmFI4g4t3iJ_gM2wqEMBNuacgZJXmtT8w/w640-h362/Wing%20Fold%20Illustration%20Annotated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Hydraulic power was provided by a hose connected to the aircraft's hydraulic system at the top of the engine nacelle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxavyMC6IWvSdudS9L6gZAq_Ru-oWk-hRMxM3VoqOUUAkfFQrE_mUw1TYjepCuwfUe5KoSnO8AzZsf6odaXsddtirybOrpvrASVgTU_Z1ShbrKMcRZKsMcorLQlEIeOqhJwtHSwJ1zG2PRcIGzpqDFUW7G1hCOYjdgaWyhDk9LjTPUbg1osa5RntbeA/s2007/Rear%20View%20Showing%20Hydraulic%20Line.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="2007" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxavyMC6IWvSdudS9L6gZAq_Ru-oWk-hRMxM3VoqOUUAkfFQrE_mUw1TYjepCuwfUe5KoSnO8AzZsf6odaXsddtirybOrpvrASVgTU_Z1ShbrKMcRZKsMcorLQlEIeOqhJwtHSwJ1zG2PRcIGzpqDFUW7G1hCOYjdgaWyhDk9LjTPUbg1osa5RntbeA/w640-h408/Rear%20View%20Showing%20Hydraulic%20Line.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>When folded, the exposed wing joint looked like this:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2tJ3g8-6niKC9P77iwjrHsNf3fgOHsH5H2JkPWL_EkjUcCEtOEA3X4ubQ9kolT5xfFVfiFWR_9k-9dp7In_lidGNkq61C_FxL4X3Ds5DRslO_YB8FweaGRNtEf1KLnYWJ1HDWUSWiIKWY0ThBSFHFp0K0O7tRNS0m2jR6joUVQ80UABMeMDcsUro2Q/s792/Wing%20Fold%20Joint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="792" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2tJ3g8-6niKC9P77iwjrHsNf3fgOHsH5H2JkPWL_EkjUcCEtOEA3X4ubQ9kolT5xfFVfiFWR_9k-9dp7In_lidGNkq61C_FxL4X3Ds5DRslO_YB8FweaGRNtEf1KLnYWJ1HDWUSWiIKWY0ThBSFHFp0K0O7tRNS0m2jR6joUVQ80UABMeMDcsUro2Q/w640-h328/Wing%20Fold%20Joint.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Folding the fin required the temporary installation of a long, folding access ladder:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP--hjNjtIzL8mb2Cm3rH0ocLsNAdrTtC5D0gUGF6CTPUf19_hIZMX1ukfNzu77NCbg9Bz5W6FBBKyJlM3uBsI_jIMCT0RAz-OeBXEitkJNPjTYLe7ejyJ4m6xBwLEVTIwsADP1ibTwfpnfcHQsu2FbotqUrYVIkizWpP36A5Ckd1rliSLJEMRndZAQ/s771/Fin%20Fold%20Ladder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP--hjNjtIzL8mb2Cm3rH0ocLsNAdrTtC5D0gUGF6CTPUf19_hIZMX1ukfNzu77NCbg9Bz5W6FBBKyJlM3uBsI_jIMCT0RAz-OeBXEitkJNPjTYLe7ejyJ4m6xBwLEVTIwsADP1ibTwfpnfcHQsu2FbotqUrYVIkizWpP36A5Ckd1rliSLJEMRndZAQ/w336-h640/Fin%20Fold%20Ladder.png" width="336" /></a></div><p></p><p>The upper standoff of the ladder hooked into two slots just forward of the horizontal stabilizer (this is the AJ-2 empennage that was retrofitted to AJ-1s):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuVPdQAwcODRuzmNJBzoXvEHgZMw9vF6Hd3qVNVO-kX9MsYlX7Hn7qs_sk27EPWtY8admflQ2prkJtuwyGIxv0kbu9xFPRgaQrxwfJqdP-47KPcws7Zbcd9Hkqq-K6v61lvc2RJBHkO5WLTDprrlmw0upqmOf0QHwtMOoS9QA-g_NGN-mS5YwgMj_fw/s785/Fin%20access%20ladder%20slots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="785" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuVPdQAwcODRuzmNJBzoXvEHgZMw9vF6Hd3qVNVO-kX9MsYlX7Hn7qs_sk27EPWtY8admflQ2prkJtuwyGIxv0kbu9xFPRgaQrxwfJqdP-47KPcws7Zbcd9Hkqq-K6v61lvc2RJBHkO5WLTDprrlmw0upqmOf0QHwtMOoS9QA-g_NGN-mS5YwgMj_fw/w640-h326/Fin%20access%20ladder%20slots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next, the actuator had to be attached, the bolts holding the fin on removed, and the hand crank turned to fold the fin (this illustration is the empennage of the original AJ-1):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk-gHmQ7mClL3dBRBXTQYPi7h0oElYkS3eu5rcech1X16nY1VFoByalvlVaIzK6r4ZJE2f1CkUeJILVISFbect9wOhrmFPekOJAmQt2tEG67pJ9ffRSaSAFGGRo9eMW0tjBYSEk5XOVKqrqfNEuI5qt5DRCIzpZ9sWw5v3mMP33sqzJjxI_QWkf-FYA/s2120/Fin%20Fold%20Cleaned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2120" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk-gHmQ7mClL3dBRBXTQYPi7h0oElYkS3eu5rcech1X16nY1VFoByalvlVaIzK6r4ZJE2f1CkUeJILVISFbect9wOhrmFPekOJAmQt2tEG67pJ9ffRSaSAFGGRo9eMW0tjBYSEk5XOVKqrqfNEuI5qt5DRCIzpZ9sWw5v3mMP33sqzJjxI_QWkf-FYA/w640-h550/Fin%20Fold%20Cleaned.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A view from the front of the final folded configuration (the sailor hugging the tip tank is checking to be sure that it will fit through the hangar door): <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7RDulRZtev4Genu2oel4L7F5qqYyI_9zVKOogsN2rih4VF7qC1S-avw05VfST6nSMhzIwNnPW6FdtberzFT846ljTPOLFqO3LLjk3dz9N6_CkeXK-UbC6OJ_Ub5VJQ5If02qsyYEkmP3jZSn78_xVnZBUijJhnC-X_CK1E0knaLjV0xoptO0HCVKxg/s1576/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1576" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7RDulRZtev4Genu2oel4L7F5qqYyI_9zVKOogsN2rih4VF7qC1S-avw05VfST6nSMhzIwNnPW6FdtberzFT846ljTPOLFqO3LLjk3dz9N6_CkeXK-UbC6OJ_Ub5VJQ5If02qsyYEkmP3jZSn78_xVnZBUijJhnC-X_CK1E0knaLjV0xoptO0HCVKxg/w640-h394/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-84923675794776686232022-10-22T17:49:00.044-07:002022-10-22T19:57:08.542-07:00AJ Savage Bomb Bay Doors<p>The new Roden 1/72 AJ-1 Savage kit provides interior detail in the bomb bay and conventional bombs to go in it, but the bomb bay doors are provided as a single piece, providing no view into the bomb bay.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZLyCAAVzJriN9BdHxuesKvEY-mzxTMBtWYlzgkvYXv9e3Lzm7CJieJYKHRq-18QMkMuUQEW6A3ZCBfRLZN-djSCyemJ8Bv_rUFu8lUMmBH1RlqY-BLD8s6mxD5zPKasTxEZTNn85dYzCP44mSjUwSYGGJ7JFVXj7myrYfqGe-s2dPp-dk_9_GnzWsQ/s815/Roden%20AJ%20Fuselage%20Assembly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="815" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZLyCAAVzJriN9BdHxuesKvEY-mzxTMBtWYlzgkvYXv9e3Lzm7CJieJYKHRq-18QMkMuUQEW6A3ZCBfRLZN-djSCyemJ8Bv_rUFu8lUMmBH1RlqY-BLD8s6mxD5zPKasTxEZTNn85dYzCP44mSjUwSYGGJ7JFVXj7myrYfqGe-s2dPp-dk_9_GnzWsQ/w640-h458/Roden%20AJ%20Fuselage%20Assembly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Since the AJ Savage was literally designed around the Mk 4 nuclear bomb (one is provided in the kit), it seems appropriate that its cavernous bomb bay be visible...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTNUQTLnB9NdeRPAiwAbNx8baKBDBWuyBgSA9M3iw3ybQwmFgAwFt0bC8yYYFvnqz4svtTgNVypg7hbm5-gSi0szGHuZUM9v1T-n8OQgpVkZnG7_Pv-lmsUXa26GT3BWTEUs_JeJuAjkeBd0_aWVf4eN6CpEGxHS9TZnlA0r7AQDDEbkw7-xo3aNb0Q/s640/Inboard%20Profile.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTNUQTLnB9NdeRPAiwAbNx8baKBDBWuyBgSA9M3iw3ybQwmFgAwFt0bC8yYYFvnqz4svtTgNVypg7hbm5-gSi0szGHuZUM9v1T-n8OQgpVkZnG7_Pv-lmsUXa26GT3BWTEUs_JeJuAjkeBd0_aWVf4eN6CpEGxHS9TZnlA0r7AQDDEbkw7-xo3aNb0Q/w640-h320/Inboard%20Profile.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thanks to Jerry Wells, we have illustrations that can be used to convert the single-piece doors to separate ones in their open positions.<br /><p></p><p>There were four separate, fairly thick doors with lightening holes along the sides. The upper door was attached to the fuselage and the lower door by piano hinges.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aKesXJdcn5_ZeGehTawWX3JNkTZ99OeRGcGPOo-725fTBLYcmZXEFr0j3H4E0voC0WwF_gvyuvMfzC8nZMXx0I-t1QkRE2yPGMM_wS29nxSKf3Oy-nNFHKcq-GzVHci4kbKH1zqWWkr2m636Ww0MFTlAg7oRu2Xp5cSQ6gdJ-rwxM7yq3NoyMVj9fQ/s690/Bombay%20Doors%204of.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="690" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aKesXJdcn5_ZeGehTawWX3JNkTZ99OeRGcGPOo-725fTBLYcmZXEFr0j3H4E0voC0WwF_gvyuvMfzC8nZMXx0I-t1QkRE2yPGMM_wS29nxSKf3Oy-nNFHKcq-GzVHci4kbKH1zqWWkr2m636Ww0MFTlAg7oRu2Xp5cSQ6gdJ-rwxM7yq3NoyMVj9fQ/w640-h272/Bombay%20Doors%204of.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The doors were interchangeable. In the following illustration, they are partly open. The opening and closing was accomplished by a mechanism (A) between the upper and lower doors combined with an idler strut at both ends of the lower door that was attached to the fuselage bulkhead at either end of the bomb bay.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1CFzmVkYZhFWX6uOCQVoV7c7xbWKZAINzQBvPungrqBJculn43fXAIWnhthoBLUUR5lv_upYn6kv-cYXKsdsZ8MOTmTqHNfC2v6cVKCQ9gZjEOstJKkZLP6hlVR10XjUkCF1PVCGao_nNuE1U49Z16a14Hx9XGJQDEPdyTftOAPkD2jBvC79Ec0ig/s1482/Bomb%20Bay%20Doors%20Overview.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1482" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhec1CFzmVkYZhFWX6uOCQVoV7c7xbWKZAINzQBvPungrqBJculn43fXAIWnhthoBLUUR5lv_upYn6kv-cYXKsdsZ8MOTmTqHNfC2v6cVKCQ9gZjEOstJKkZLP6hlVR10XjUkCF1PVCGao_nNuE1U49Z16a14Hx9XGJQDEPdyTftOAPkD2jBvC79Ec0ig/w640-h566/Bomb%20Bay%20Doors%20Overview.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> The following illustration depicts the position of the actuation links between the upper and lower doors when the doors are closed:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKO3Zh1NKOlHyG-4addf7-jtua1Dy-cuCEIhCnFF1KmCI7zgQ17WFA_xRyKzoEPTHo189K7e9JZSKNY0qJAyeMB4k4ppEEBfc5djf4pwQc8Dz6unb7BE2tLJ_TYyPkMwjBFCImn6E42f2u2MIIE3KnShqkQJI6amcFSSC8HxViQyfgAXa-0GjmIRORw/s1456/Bomb%20Bay%20Doors%20Closed%20Illustration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1456" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKO3Zh1NKOlHyG-4addf7-jtua1Dy-cuCEIhCnFF1KmCI7zgQ17WFA_xRyKzoEPTHo189K7e9JZSKNY0qJAyeMB4k4ppEEBfc5djf4pwQc8Dz6unb7BE2tLJ_TYyPkMwjBFCImn6E42f2u2MIIE3KnShqkQJI6amcFSSC8HxViQyfgAXa-0GjmIRORw/w640-h238/Bomb%20Bay%20Doors%20Closed%20Illustration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Another view of the idler strut on the forward left hand side with the doors fully open:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZt6Nsju3zebkvbrXuX2ifMOECPZDW_DNWnejcjHmNrA-4yYG4rMMcBw3gtufjriRcHaByydhR49EK91AgZxSwWLbFHxBC5jtclq8hXUhIRp-H3xM5Wo3tWO73HzTugf5TYzJhyKIHm6nFdISMPwYc62anv7RTFarV7zZy4cH0MHLtIk4CGyqK6crIw/s1348/Idler%20Position.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1348" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZt6Nsju3zebkvbrXuX2ifMOECPZDW_DNWnejcjHmNrA-4yYG4rMMcBw3gtufjriRcHaByydhR49EK91AgZxSwWLbFHxBC5jtclq8hXUhIRp-H3xM5Wo3tWO73HzTugf5TYzJhyKIHm6nFdISMPwYc62anv7RTFarV7zZy4cH0MHLtIk4CGyqK6crIw/w640-h502/Idler%20Position.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The actuator was a very complicated mechanism that converted the longitudinal extension of a hydraulic piston into a rotation of the outboard link of the actuator that resulted in the doors being pulled together. The idler struts at each end of the bomb bay caused the doors to move outboard as they came together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBUKCUQjyAa7sumVcOCSAvz0sB7IzYOrUuToy9-hfzh6YEvBjbKEY3FVIbsSfADSkfrY-uQdhzK3NP-2mmKEZmcL4YR6eSNwpyEPmG0_zjqlLmtPoDRf8giNLZtsozM5uy6fUAuYiP8jRJ4Yb0d7CV--YycwDjeGfa1naoJNc0gJX3Ex6U1ZoBz82tQ/s1985/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-22%20at%2010.43.16%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="1613" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBUKCUQjyAa7sumVcOCSAvz0sB7IzYOrUuToy9-hfzh6YEvBjbKEY3FVIbsSfADSkfrY-uQdhzK3NP-2mmKEZmcL4YR6eSNwpyEPmG0_zjqlLmtPoDRf8giNLZtsozM5uy6fUAuYiP8jRJ4Yb0d7CV--YycwDjeGfa1naoJNc0gJX3Ex6U1ZoBz82tQ/w520-h640/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-22%20at%2010.43.16%20AM.png" width="520" /></a></div><p>Note that when the doors are open, the links of the actuator mechanism are visible; they don't appear to extend inboard any farther than the bomb bay opening, however (this is a picture of the Lycoming AJ-2 Savage with the support structure in the bomb bay for the jet engine test rig):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMeXClr-YnTl3u194qBINr8-qYBe9zeXH_fKOxC_rBd5qhUaKiJpXFlQ0u1nLKnf5evpHG80MARf36suXKSXnHAtclLFBnq72XAnL8Kv0NxIBeYwl3lcSXfOwroN9YFL7u3twg9CQCmd2_Tx6J0m4rC0AGWUj1minc4S59XuLPyGdmEw8PotYGtThtg/s1559/Actuator%202of2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMeXClr-YnTl3u194qBINr8-qYBe9zeXH_fKOxC_rBd5qhUaKiJpXFlQ0u1nLKnf5evpHG80MARf36suXKSXnHAtclLFBnq72XAnL8Kv0NxIBeYwl3lcSXfOwroN9YFL7u3twg9CQCmd2_Tx6J0m4rC0AGWUj1minc4S59XuLPyGdmEw8PotYGtThtg/w628-h640/Actuator%202of2.jpeg" width="628" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The idler struts are more prominent:</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0MSeCeR6McilnfnbjE3iu1s6LDl8w3qfyvVWHWiLECpFnpiQg1AtrVZ9eU_KKLJ_cgs0c1HtrT115awBwEbKvvOsbVxGZljlpTg3BBcYmjqIukrkqFcrIRm_YSTMKeymdwz3hYiZiV1lQwW87_Dvlx1KTXLH5p8GSrYdnRn0t9a7t3TQswoxTHiHdQ/s1367/Bombay%20Doors%20lightened.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0MSeCeR6McilnfnbjE3iu1s6LDl8w3qfyvVWHWiLECpFnpiQg1AtrVZ9eU_KKLJ_cgs0c1HtrT115awBwEbKvvOsbVxGZljlpTg3BBcYmjqIukrkqFcrIRm_YSTMKeymdwz3hYiZiV1lQwW87_Dvlx1KTXLH5p8GSrYdnRn0t9a7t3TQswoxTHiHdQ/w412-h640/Bombay%20Doors%20lightened.jpeg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><p></p>For an introduction to the Roden kit and links to other posts, see <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2022/08/roden-172-north-american-aj-1-savage.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2022/08/roden-172-north-american-aj-1-savage.html</a><br /><br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-38807182614387328642022-08-04T08:44:00.005-07:002022-10-22T20:09:24.212-07:00North American AJ Savage Canopies<p>The XAJ-1 Savage had a large, clear, sliding canopy similar to those on jet fighters.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktzCiqs4fdcwJQ8oIhmg6L4XAnlFdtBqXFO5muSzRV2_vAW0B8NVaLAHyH8gkkqwdJgQsbNKZXOx48XlzSRTvGJs84euw9QnJV-fAzR9mD7cJNP4CeWl9UIoXdZ-Oi1hDDBwFR3WUM2f-PmegHUtn7tcV32GNG-XLglkhiEX0-HczFE38feCiiWab2A/s2842/XAJ-1%20Canopy%20Illustration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="2842" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktzCiqs4fdcwJQ8oIhmg6L4XAnlFdtBqXFO5muSzRV2_vAW0B8NVaLAHyH8gkkqwdJgQsbNKZXOx48XlzSRTvGJs84euw9QnJV-fAzR9mD7cJNP4CeWl9UIoXdZ-Oi1hDDBwFR3WUM2f-PmegHUtn7tcV32GNG-XLglkhiEX0-HczFE38feCiiWab2A/w640-h136/XAJ-1%20Canopy%20Illustration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> The AJ canopy was subsequently changed in four major steps:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xXPAQ2dN7m4mSZf4HcOBToexuXm0mjwrtycgaecx0NsnS1haV-xD3kN5ha1qzSrG_mY2uGQJ7WmtBBN8kpO1PjJ5DansjeDPMt45cMLBcWcB4QeTLVeOGpCJatc_xqdv2erUbnsjt82N8yix4SmvCCAkXZyoNWGRIvTNNAMfgujGJnq3hvrUyyL8Jw/s3269/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-04%20at%2012.17.23%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="3269" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xXPAQ2dN7m4mSZf4HcOBToexuXm0mjwrtycgaecx0NsnS1haV-xD3kN5ha1qzSrG_mY2uGQJ7WmtBBN8kpO1PjJ5DansjeDPMt45cMLBcWcB4QeTLVeOGpCJatc_xqdv2erUbnsjt82N8yix4SmvCCAkXZyoNWGRIvTNNAMfgujGJnq3hvrUyyL8Jw/w640-h228/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-04%20at%2012.17.23%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>No. 1 was a reinforcement of the canopy with Fiberglas straps. This was done for the initial production of a handful of aircraft.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz58gYcn8mNe4GWqPOSZztv1JkrS9Z-yvbZE_4WpRIDjJ1dHlYjEP4338jeFJPiMdDxx0QKoRuRIAPpFU_mWvOouWdYHDOKD8seXkwZUwKTTxuCZ9Zcf67-7WZMzrQzjfKIHYyE0Zr08ZhgB7rxOnZs2u9e1J_acM-PfKBZRaraVwwshJTJbQWNGZ-w/s724/Early%20AJ-1%20Canopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="724" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz58gYcn8mNe4GWqPOSZztv1JkrS9Z-yvbZE_4WpRIDjJ1dHlYjEP4338jeFJPiMdDxx0QKoRuRIAPpFU_mWvOouWdYHDOKD8seXkwZUwKTTxuCZ9Zcf67-7WZMzrQzjfKIHYyE0Zr08ZhgB7rxOnZs2u9e1J_acM-PfKBZRaraVwwshJTJbQWNGZ-w/w640-h252/Early%20AJ-1%20Canopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Canopy No. 2 removed the sliding feature. It had metal framing, multiple Plexiglas panels, and an escape hatch beside both the pilot and the bombardier.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDoMIZhuLSAiuFYtvNV7UPMRw0u22o1ozs8CBmxbBrd0NbCVrLxAHgkyQ-Y6NdrnLdfrKlTf1PHHa9z394M8PJDotIzrUoJMpWEH-Ja350kNg8YKf0odr3vlhV-t2aTVqGYQ98xTXub3GVo3VmyCFk3ZlDsohhMaWypNsSXVOzRP9bxSuHizZTWEvNw/s709/AJ-1%20Early%20Canopy%20Hatch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="709" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDoMIZhuLSAiuFYtvNV7UPMRw0u22o1ozs8CBmxbBrd0NbCVrLxAHgkyQ-Y6NdrnLdfrKlTf1PHHa9z394M8PJDotIzrUoJMpWEH-Ja350kNg8YKf0odr3vlhV-t2aTVqGYQ98xTXub3GVo3VmyCFk3ZlDsohhMaWypNsSXVOzRP9bxSuHizZTWEvNw/w640-h292/AJ-1%20Early%20Canopy%20Hatch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> Although an early AJ-1 flight manual shows that the third crewman, who occupied a seat in the fuselage ahead of the bomb bay, was supposed to utilize the bombdier's flight-deck escape hatch, at some point he appears to have been provided with his own in the top of the fuselage (this may have been the reason for the added sheet metal at the rear of the canopy).<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43TFiXXPzZZ7319pMzRYQfko70m7Z64Zx955sWuNZMFr-Z50jQLPhIeNJaRnyNYjG8fDlAH_ONXvEgNcUCWC3gjPZ01owxIKMU2I_IxVlHENZXyHkDMQjVQD1YlNJutnlA4kFj8qbg98Oz03a0Lfv8nlRClnSzSAaa2ikPyoe8BR9LU9hIc_3MrpTjA/s340/Third%20Crewman%20AJ-1%20Hatch.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="340" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43TFiXXPzZZ7319pMzRYQfko70m7Z64Zx955sWuNZMFr-Z50jQLPhIeNJaRnyNYjG8fDlAH_ONXvEgNcUCWC3gjPZ01owxIKMU2I_IxVlHENZXyHkDMQjVQD1YlNJutnlA4kFj8qbg98Oz03a0Lfv8nlRClnSzSAaa2ikPyoe8BR9LU9hIc_3MrpTjA/w640-h344/Third%20Crewman%20AJ-1%20Hatch.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Canopy No. 3 enlarged the pilot and bombardier escape hatches. This version appears to have been incorporated along with the modification of surviving AJ-1s to have the AJ-2 empennage.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPJEfaOlxFgq1i7PFFHToZT9dG6eG6V5f7jEuLup4YTpXGAy9HEXbLJ0OCf9nWepE6uYYPFv1U-Bz-o-T-ZvHFVAj0gyIPZmB8PRnXYUo_SQkv2KemQJl-MabrorWPEQcQRl0OYLCbnGiZeC7pL-2uJ1EFR7g5LvX8d0ifAyfgdO-3YUWRwM33M8EGw/s239/AJ-1%20Large%20Escape%20Hatch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="239" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPJEfaOlxFgq1i7PFFHToZT9dG6eG6V5f7jEuLup4YTpXGAy9HEXbLJ0OCf9nWepE6uYYPFv1U-Bz-o-T-ZvHFVAj0gyIPZmB8PRnXYUo_SQkv2KemQJl-MabrorWPEQcQRl0OYLCbnGiZeC7pL-2uJ1EFR7g5LvX8d0ifAyfgdO-3YUWRwM33M8EGw/w640-h319/AJ-1%20Large%20Escape%20Hatch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Finally, canopy No. 4 was unique to the AJ-2. This change was required by the move of the "third crewman" position from the lower compartment in front of the bomb bay up to a rearward-facing seat on the flight deck. The metal panel in the top right of the canopy was a port for the use of a sextant.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp4CuiwFLwjV_ZORyziMKKe99iRdzqMAnRtTNvC1jkN5DCMiyk94T3KjkRMl8ux79J9q0owhM2bAMT0lIrsbLAEcsuGHwBfQ-jW-Y88X3W7KA-i42IpBJ3xCHSwtpfnoZQo1PhS2LTf0me_w_dU3n5GHI1d68sJmo1PMf9YiZfyTVk_2hz1LGG1AFjA/s998/AJ-2%20Canopy%202of2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="998" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp4CuiwFLwjV_ZORyziMKKe99iRdzqMAnRtTNvC1jkN5DCMiyk94T3KjkRMl8ux79J9q0owhM2bAMT0lIrsbLAEcsuGHwBfQ-jW-Y88X3W7KA-i42IpBJ3xCHSwtpfnoZQo1PhS2LTf0me_w_dU3n5GHI1d68sJmo1PMf9YiZfyTVk_2hz1LGG1AFjA/w640-h262/AJ-2%20Canopy%202of2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG1ivL7zddoNJJajls8yfpQXjx1lBISoiwaMhH9Da79Tz972Ehb22HYPYSre5Gr1sNr8kAxrNsAvI-vkkBi7gSOYSZzzmqe9lX53cYqfaO3xYO3dGM2GA-LjARB6IdxyF8eYdJChXgP4HHb9Z-VoDTXrEVqDbwAgVhdCq9sktTjYk7-i8dIB69AJTWA/s660/AJ-2%20Canopy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="660" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG1ivL7zddoNJJajls8yfpQXjx1lBISoiwaMhH9Da79Tz972Ehb22HYPYSre5Gr1sNr8kAxrNsAvI-vkkBi7gSOYSZzzmqe9lX53cYqfaO3xYO3dGM2GA-LjARB6IdxyF8eYdJChXgP4HHb9Z-VoDTXrEVqDbwAgVhdCq9sktTjYk7-i8dIB69AJTWA/w640-h516/AJ-2%20Canopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>Final AJ-1 and production AJ-2 canopy comparisons:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5eRPLYmv4Iz7XE_3M6sSRrSeOEuDH6LfDZMboesUIiQvo_1W-BBisrHqKt7DdX6VtRH9iMcA-44xQy_48g2T6n6hmJztlKI8eU-Ec9udn7XETbp8ParH8fGciBA9BnzmNfS2oVjqoU0gcJpKa4mLKVhscUhqV_BbnPlhV-NZKWQRGHTtx7t1TbHu8g/s1034/Final%20-1%20and%202%20canopies.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5eRPLYmv4Iz7XE_3M6sSRrSeOEuDH6LfDZMboesUIiQvo_1W-BBisrHqKt7DdX6VtRH9iMcA-44xQy_48g2T6n6hmJztlKI8eU-Ec9udn7XETbp8ParH8fGciBA9BnzmNfS2oVjqoU0gcJpKa4mLKVhscUhqV_BbnPlhV-NZKWQRGHTtx7t1TbHu8g/w394-h640/Final%20-1%20and%202%20canopies.jpeg" width="394" /></a></div><p></p><p>More AJ Savage information can be found at the following links:</p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/03/north-american-aj-savage-model-kits.html"> https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/03/north-american-aj-savage-model-kits.html</a></p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/07/aj-savage-notes.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/07/aj-savage-notes.html</a></p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2013/04/aj-2-savage-cockpit.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2013/04/aj-2-savage-cockpit.html</a></p><p><a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-it-right.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-it-right.html</a> <br /></p><p><a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/01/aj-savage-bombardier-station.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/01/aj-savage-bombardier-station.html</a></p><p><a href="http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-bomb-bay-doors.html">http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2022/10/aj-savage-bomb-bay-doors.html</a> </p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-86174855878691721292022-07-01T09:53:00.004-07:002022-07-02T05:40:36.745-07:00McDonnell F4H Total Air Temperature Sensor<p> In my monograph on the birth of the McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II (see <a href="http://www.ginterbooks.com/NAVAL/NF108.htm">http://www.ginterbooks.com/NAVAL/NF108.htm</a>), I only made a passing reference to its Central Air Data Computer (CADC) and provided no details on the requisite Total Air Temperature sensor. However, since the subject of its location has come up, herewith is a discussion of the requirement and specifically, its presence on the U.S. Navy F-4s.</p><p>As airspeed increases, a simple outside air temperature (OAT) sensor begins to read high due to air compression and friction. Up to about 300 knots the increase is negligible. However, at higher speeds it is increasingly important to correct for it in calculations that require an accurate measurement of OAT. The result was the development of the Total Air Temperature sensor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTaueo_HhYVHpMimOw4V9Mukg9lhnvrj4v0sq72dI3E86j42F7BLjHw117SFecbp5_KpgPoZWJ_lBI-OhnUdjv-b8SUaENqDRAHDWFBRZWXaOaQG1WBIgJuCVWcv2iSI3Q6MuMtUAI7ci15LKVzYX5xx3P9fE48VANDT5P-0TKsG6F6uwHMol05xD_w/s878/TAT%20Cutaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="878" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTaueo_HhYVHpMimOw4V9Mukg9lhnvrj4v0sq72dI3E86j42F7BLjHw117SFecbp5_KpgPoZWJ_lBI-OhnUdjv-b8SUaENqDRAHDWFBRZWXaOaQG1WBIgJuCVWcv2iSI3Q6MuMtUAI7ci15LKVzYX5xx3P9fE48VANDT5P-0TKsG6F6uwHMol05xD_w/w400-h284/TAT%20Cutaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Moreover, the proliferation of aircraft systems that relied on basic air data resulted in the desire for a CADC that would serve as a single source for it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WABG1rHwLt13kFsC2sXY92FfRLbXcqFv8AA1cDujcHnG5DA7xKsD0-QICxSsUgaVpO74SfywJ3iTdF9whJg4BQW6HB9jhMq6iCpeKP5sZkBtp26dCirVfEaT9xZ_g6e6aQehOx0Rfgmw2HfBkrNSjeyYgKpRvVTsOKg8ZcMYwcAPS0E2V4VgE0fj2g/s1112/CADC%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1112" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WABG1rHwLt13kFsC2sXY92FfRLbXcqFv8AA1cDujcHnG5DA7xKsD0-QICxSsUgaVpO74SfywJ3iTdF9whJg4BQW6HB9jhMq6iCpeKP5sZkBtp26dCirVfEaT9xZ_g6e6aQehOx0Rfgmw2HfBkrNSjeyYgKpRvVTsOKg8ZcMYwcAPS0E2V4VgE0fj2g/w400-h348/CADC%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The CADC in the F4H was one of the first applications, if not the first.</p><p>The first flight of the F4H was expedited in order to beat its rival, the Chance Vought F8U-3 into the air. That is probably why it had a simplified engine inlet ramp and no TAT sensor. One was subsequently added, though, under the nose.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0pXcCxMVIWuJSFq5RFbLMNJy1qRgLBvt6DefYKfZ1Eyt8eP__2a0yu2MrVb8qV5nCHFs3KkTGdfK80o6x1YSLBs8xo9LtCZtKpK7gfcqx7WvpNNwOS_J8RtkKpO7go27ZUsKCAUnsUCtHj57lAgFNSXySTRbiLNG6edzGfVtkR9s9IQeQ1Be6saC9g/s445/F4H-1%20No.%201%20TAT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="445" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0pXcCxMVIWuJSFq5RFbLMNJy1qRgLBvt6DefYKfZ1Eyt8eP__2a0yu2MrVb8qV5nCHFs3KkTGdfK80o6x1YSLBs8xo9LtCZtKpK7gfcqx7WvpNNwOS_J8RtkKpO7go27ZUsKCAUnsUCtHj57lAgFNSXySTRbiLNG6edzGfVtkR9s9IQeQ1Be6saC9g/w400-h271/F4H-1%20No.%201%20TAT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Note that the sensor is mounted on a post so that its inlet is beyond the boundary layer air.</p><p>On the second F4H, the sensor was mounted on the forward-facing nose landing gear door.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UG6_9tAtXqjpy24lOKQeTEDlE3PEt4eNtpjB1rKUnmMQaDtXc13beGBWDBmAVUqrh7xGBHW1d9J3PU9S5EzjQ6eqkbCwNgYslSdQDIyI6jcPSeC37fFB-ZO3gdLfEMV78eUtw3H6jEbJXFh7osRB78Pc-_DYHR-lahbxB00HCO7GeXlgzmlRWZ_yMw/s517/F4H-1%20No.%202%20TAT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="381" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UG6_9tAtXqjpy24lOKQeTEDlE3PEt4eNtpjB1rKUnmMQaDtXc13beGBWDBmAVUqrh7xGBHW1d9J3PU9S5EzjQ6eqkbCwNgYslSdQDIyI6jcPSeC37fFB-ZO3gdLfEMV78eUtw3H6jEbJXFh7osRB78Pc-_DYHR-lahbxB00HCO7GeXlgzmlRWZ_yMw/w295-h400/F4H-1%20No.%202%20TAT.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><p>For various reasons, however, the sensor was not installed on all of the early F4Hs, most notably on No. 6, the carrier-suitability F4H, where it was probably displaced by the angle-of-attack lights and high-speed flight was not a factor.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9prnQPbwGsZDZhqQlE1qO2Z3S1acv5lMbc15pX_jCCtWVaIy5DIuDKgkUrsHrKbEJFtB50bsqz_rmBPAOY5yzJ195oVtEcj9JItq5ggLNuLnSW8f9pSADUOHgn-BGdxpCaqoMxK62jt57T5ciHNYjoG15C_L2FjNkJm_LBySnNRjS_FSgZWTKkNcTA/s349/F4H-1%20carrier%20suit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="349" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9prnQPbwGsZDZhqQlE1qO2Z3S1acv5lMbc15pX_jCCtWVaIy5DIuDKgkUrsHrKbEJFtB50bsqz_rmBPAOY5yzJ195oVtEcj9JItq5ggLNuLnSW8f9pSADUOHgn-BGdxpCaqoMxK62jt57T5ciHNYjoG15C_L2FjNkJm_LBySnNRjS_FSgZWTKkNcTA/s320/F4H-1%20carrier%20suit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The sensor was subsequently relocated to the leading edge of the vertical fin at some point during Block b production (BuNo 145307-145317):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYJOeLaGO5U9VTd9Ags8n8WAHFuuU0S_-ygEb6VM-IqYLvmUNWfItDgLYPgKLxWw64oOGmlFlvNTBDpGtDeiHTrjoIplP2UIBEBqrjULmBFcuUkXTEcnLjP3NmW3FAn7WQU56cceRhi_C_PZ5p1n6RwgA5Az9JKBXn4OJ9OjYnLzsEHRYN_P3gZK1gg/s1170/F4H%20Early%20Fin%20Leading%20Edge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="1170" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYJOeLaGO5U9VTd9Ags8n8WAHFuuU0S_-ygEb6VM-IqYLvmUNWfItDgLYPgKLxWw64oOGmlFlvNTBDpGtDeiHTrjoIplP2UIBEBqrjULmBFcuUkXTEcnLjP3NmW3FAn7WQU56cceRhi_C_PZ5p1n6RwgA5Az9JKBXn4OJ9OjYnLzsEHRYN_P3gZK1gg/w400-h190/F4H%20Early%20Fin%20Leading%20Edge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Note that it's not nearly as prominent as depicted in the illustration above from the February 1961 Plane Captain's Handbook and in this location, no standoff is required.<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3VSp3YLXvT6NHR6RUGeP4fXDG9zloD9R9Q8fjs3GprNOGlYgDN4c8Ihebm554Yh93XDiYmMVPq0ml485gpjKkFngZC8DV4ya8yl3t_WyX3H01pRhCrwg6TqBIPIQGqlMVRW32Y2t8AVgvAdq_dXbxh-4OT_8NNdwIDggIT3HmyPNeXhMiWwyYnr0Dg/s598/F4H-1F%20Total%20Temperature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="598" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3VSp3YLXvT6NHR6RUGeP4fXDG9zloD9R9Q8fjs3GprNOGlYgDN4c8Ihebm554Yh93XDiYmMVPq0ml485gpjKkFngZC8DV4ya8yl3t_WyX3H01pRhCrwg6TqBIPIQGqlMVRW32Y2t8AVgvAdq_dXbxh-4OT_8NNdwIDggIT3HmyPNeXhMiWwyYnr0Dg/w640-h584/F4H-1F%20Total%20Temperature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was subsequently relocated from the vertical fin to just under the left ECS inlet fairing. The reason give for the change was: "Prevent total temperature sensor from being damaged by precipitation."<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoyR7xEbUzq2ghpOCR4qf51OxA2BSo7fIwpxCMSMXY5myIq8fYlcOkFvMefhakDFWFY8tlRP9N9q-p9fa1RthekRlKMVmhLZBrpsdr0oIYaH884t0UrnaIDCghVLFM8anXIvNKlNG6UIrpBEMLLCQrP8k1zpMHzKH44KUkMt5JqOkatiw2dGTKqAoaw/s1346/Untitled%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1346" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoyR7xEbUzq2ghpOCR4qf51OxA2BSo7fIwpxCMSMXY5myIq8fYlcOkFvMefhakDFWFY8tlRP9N9q-p9fa1RthekRlKMVmhLZBrpsdr0oIYaH884t0UrnaIDCghVLFM8anXIvNKlNG6UIrpBEMLLCQrP8k1zpMHzKH44KUkMt5JqOkatiw2dGTKqAoaw/w640-h428/Untitled%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Almost half of the total F-4Bs produced were delivered with the fin-mounted TAT. According to Peter Greengrass, my go-to F-4 subject matter expert, "It was relocated by ASC-139; production effectivity was Block 16 (BuNo 151399), which first flew in July 1963".</p><p>As a result, early F-4Bs (and USAF Cs were delivered with the fin-mounted TAT sensor. For example, VF-102 went aboard <i>Independence</i> in January 1962 with F4H-1s with the fin-mounted TAT:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YttNsQRZzuNEzvhXxrTiOtmXyNgDbi4Aj9EXFjMEr670vKLBM4_phbiXrFPqDjY1iNKIft3qCNDFC4e44CVsCZAXTptaVxY2FWgWJUOdxpX__Jjr8sos1rmxhpXVl-4EJelrjJH8AQZeG0u-xdFBre7fkMT3QhPNjsDfpukEKF8tFON1nNvaSb_6Xg/s1121/VF-%20102%20F-4B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1121" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YttNsQRZzuNEzvhXxrTiOtmXyNgDbi4Aj9EXFjMEr670vKLBM4_phbiXrFPqDjY1iNKIft3qCNDFC4e44CVsCZAXTptaVxY2FWgWJUOdxpX__Jjr8sos1rmxhpXVl-4EJelrjJH8AQZeG0u-xdFBre7fkMT3QhPNjsDfpukEKF8tFON1nNvaSb_6Xg/w640-h450/VF-%20102%20F-4B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Other examples provided by Peter include F-4B BuNo 149429 in May 1965:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHCW1GUpVgd0GYSG2qkMcuDVlPDKLDjABmIa1zbyVc_FOlhnEqlhKjATUiOCucp8LCopqO6HE0-oHXttDMakS_V1NpNgoDGiJ0f_N1x2iOTH8EVQyG9os7kVIWbGyVsygJOCqBtlUqfkGyh8eSzu1yEpc9_cze7HQHqRjQgsrGkNWnObMUOc6QFl0SA/s2340/149429%20may65%20TAT%20crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="2340" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHCW1GUpVgd0GYSG2qkMcuDVlPDKLDjABmIa1zbyVc_FOlhnEqlhKjATUiOCucp8LCopqO6HE0-oHXttDMakS_V1NpNgoDGiJ0f_N1x2iOTH8EVQyG9os7kVIWbGyVsygJOCqBtlUqfkGyh8eSzu1yEpc9_cze7HQHqRjQgsrGkNWnObMUOc6QFl0SA/w640-h258/149429%20may65%20TAT%20crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>F-4B BuNo 149406 marked up as the F-110A:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAMHSbInc3pHjWiYKWiDvHiRshp9tK6iNIOnskMBKQ21dny61mSkNqVrrwe0hk48UeqADO6jd3b2mDhfE37pzqKsyJ5K8yUCd5FA_fQVemRqtMSVeTfEen5J2kG2GSa4m656wYzKAcqBK_NtBJ9AfDPyAMLqszUSgP_Wl-2EHhHTgt6y8Jgxq_x0Vtg/s1548/F-4B-9-MC+149406+62%20F-110%20fu=inpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1548" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAMHSbInc3pHjWiYKWiDvHiRshp9tK6iNIOnskMBKQ21dny61mSkNqVrrwe0hk48UeqADO6jd3b2mDhfE37pzqKsyJ5K8yUCd5FA_fQVemRqtMSVeTfEen5J2kG2GSa4m656wYzKAcqBK_NtBJ9AfDPyAMLqszUSgP_Wl-2EHhHTgt6y8Jgxq_x0Vtg/w640-h276/F-4B-9-MC+149406+62%20F-110%20fu=inpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And the first F-4C, 63-7407, photographed at Lambert Field in August 1963:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjM_s5k8f4w39LeIa2bALZI6umLQz56H74m1ATEV7dUqCF-yy_sGR82CHmJmOGGZ3Fatd3zvAVONaahfx8Eq2X_bI5Wx52CI6NWReNTH6Zx8X3Wk9D0jNmMQfY0pQ_nEsNX2N0eKlxKiv30YadPyltoQs3QI7JneQefj4HyKZ7WJw5MwWmzE4jXNog/s349/63-7407%20F-4C%2027-08-63%20tail-%20Richard%20A%20Burgess%20(Mark%20Nankivil%20Col).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="349" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKjM_s5k8f4w39LeIa2bALZI6umLQz56H74m1ATEV7dUqCF-yy_sGR82CHmJmOGGZ3Fatd3zvAVONaahfx8Eq2X_bI5Wx52CI6NWReNTH6Zx8X3Wk9D0jNmMQfY0pQ_nEsNX2N0eKlxKiv30YadPyltoQs3QI7JneQefj4HyKZ7WJw5MwWmzE4jXNog/w640-h262/63-7407%20F-4C%2027-08-63%20tail-%20Richard%20A%20Burgess%20(Mark%20Nankivil%20Col).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The RF-4B has the TAT located on the forward-facing nose landing gear door.</p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-35868080467997724742022-06-26T07:07:00.002-07:002022-06-26T07:07:54.358-07:00F7U-3 Cannon Link and Casing Jettison<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-9bSCPEu6Ajbg4iRPPKdbfPHDJzW9ay3H-ZY8ZjLq41KeidLN45jHi0voRs8IxZZwT3TKMlfIKvv5poM30_Z-q2106fu0j2jUdWjIpS2kZl8PI3qnfGAVtcKGHpLicor_f6XgqDtK0-K7pmBbOWpOD8UJvz2DHQ5dTM5a62YRqcv9Z7McKBXTNnu7w/s1194/13-7-1%20Gun%20Bay%20Vent%20and%20Fairings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1194" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-9bSCPEu6Ajbg4iRPPKdbfPHDJzW9ay3H-ZY8ZjLq41KeidLN45jHi0voRs8IxZZwT3TKMlfIKvv5poM30_Z-q2106fu0j2jUdWjIpS2kZl8PI3qnfGAVtcKGHpLicor_f6XgqDtK0-K7pmBbOWpOD8UJvz2DHQ5dTM5a62YRqcv9Z7McKBXTNnu7w/w640-h418/13-7-1%20Gun%20Bay%20Vent%20and%20Fairings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIioRZgawAfJT_sWCyGIYZ_Doq9EqBI3sYhoADunzs0aiZ01WnPw1NlcguNkNB2iX8C9CYjzNg0Z4-qWU9sPLFqqU-Xha5FW6KyimT33SAWP-1gp5NKhNV-_fcND1oBC4K-AXIKpTXYW4GPf7fwbIkZiSf9hLy41GeU-Z8tF3rqOVfwhGazec-GgjEg/s2329/13-7-2%20Case%20and%20Link%20Jettison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="2329" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIioRZgawAfJT_sWCyGIYZ_Doq9EqBI3sYhoADunzs0aiZ01WnPw1NlcguNkNB2iX8C9CYjzNg0Z4-qWU9sPLFqqU-Xha5FW6KyimT33SAWP-1gp5NKhNV-_fcND1oBC4K-AXIKpTXYW4GPf7fwbIkZiSf9hLy41GeU-Z8tF3rqOVfwhGazec-GgjEg/w640-h420/13-7-2%20Case%20and%20Link%20Jettison.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh8A4KQtW7amTrEeIz7LohltWqFhylcJj-kHTq6lJKLaUuIYihURpWHdVoQuhL28YrzwcBXfbbi8l70kk3cd0t9RleYM_InFu7sCXkzL_E82m9ISfTHgx5fYK8f4QOOMKVZ3qRYrTbDW7AkTlsyTQgjaz9b49amhpBGPwzBuXuG0utN7ac7G_rKGoGg/s2560/Underwing%20Details%20option.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh8A4KQtW7amTrEeIz7LohltWqFhylcJj-kHTq6lJKLaUuIYihURpWHdVoQuhL28YrzwcBXfbbi8l70kk3cd0t9RleYM_InFu7sCXkzL_E82m9ISfTHgx5fYK8f4QOOMKVZ3qRYrTbDW7AkTlsyTQgjaz9b49amhpBGPwzBuXuG0utN7ac7G_rKGoGg/w640-h480/Underwing%20Details%20option.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-30253372154333170012022-05-11T19:48:00.008-07:002022-05-12T06:38:21.401-07:00McDonnell F3H Demon Roll Control Spoilers<p>For a summary of the McDonnell F3H Demon program, click here: <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/11/f3h-demon.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/11/f3h-demon.html</a> <br /></p><p>Among a few early changes to the F3H Demon that were required after it first entered service were roll-control spoilers. These were literally scabbed onto the top of the inboard surface of the wing ahead of the flaps. Two long "fingers" were present to cover the openings cut into the wing skin for the actuators. Note that while the spoilers look like speed brakes, they were never extended in flight at the same time.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-UN7XnJOUKy0C1HIJH4zoiD9tEiU6kcEiYyHzTf8v88W4jPCPCaVK0QjqjkmqbklFWzpVn1kX14bQxR4oVgJ8p3Sxb1l5S1ajCKJe-JC9VH0tSHzT5RHpYhbHN-d7EIzroGCucXxE6HYDgJNGheL_OEDnX2pZlCiRndmyMXs7YFbNtSWUWYcGuF8bw/s700/F3H%20Wing%20spoiler%20open.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-UN7XnJOUKy0C1HIJH4zoiD9tEiU6kcEiYyHzTf8v88W4jPCPCaVK0QjqjkmqbklFWzpVn1kX14bQxR4oVgJ8p3Sxb1l5S1ajCKJe-JC9VH0tSHzT5RHpYhbHN-d7EIzroGCucXxE6HYDgJNGheL_OEDnX2pZlCiRndmyMXs7YFbNtSWUWYcGuF8bw/w640-h480/F3H%20Wing%20spoiler%20open.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Don Hinton Photo<br /></p><p>These were belatedly required because a notable loss of roll control power was being experienced at high indicated air speeds. The reason was a lack of wing torsional stiffness. At a high enough speed, the aileron, instead of reducing or increasing lift on a wing, began to function like a servo tab on a control surface, in this case twisting the wing so that instead of increasing lift, the deflected aileron caused the wing to deform, reducing its angle of attack and therefore lift (the Wright brothers actually used wing warping initially for roll control instead of ailerons).</p><p>As it happened, in the process of redesigning the F3H to substitute the Allison J71 engine for the Westinghouse J40, McDonnell also increased the wing area aft of the wing torque box.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhb11A2-4MlN29wTsvsNABpJDNV8MvOhQG54kKaATa4BfQFWkxTVaCkOWgXbDmP9imhK9yZWbnYWq7L4SBq2-edHiA4Bo99zCyFz9j7Xye-9-6jSuoNxnihhJv_XZ44chu6rFZO5iMmWByXDa_fiv-NTAGFXvoYKxtRd4HQDnsHiXkIWPBIZTrEJ1eg/s1600/IMG_3726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhb11A2-4MlN29wTsvsNABpJDNV8MvOhQG54kKaATa4BfQFWkxTVaCkOWgXbDmP9imhK9yZWbnYWq7L4SBq2-edHiA4Bo99zCyFz9j7Xye-9-6jSuoNxnihhJv_XZ44chu6rFZO5iMmWByXDa_fiv-NTAGFXvoYKxtRd4HQDnsHiXkIWPBIZTrEJ1eg/w640-h396/IMG_3726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Presumably this reduced the wing's torsional stiffness but it was not predicted to be enough to be a problem at high speed.</p><p>Instead of beefing up the wing to increase torsional stiffness, McDonnell and the Navy elected to add inboard spoilers. When the airspeed increased above 560 +/- 7 knots, lateral control was switched from the ailerons to the spoilers; when the speed subsequently decreased below 545 +/- 7 knots, lateral control switched back (the switch took about two seconds). When flight control was via the spoilers, only one was extended at at time; the ailerons were fixed in a neutral/faired position.</p><p>The need for this complication was fairly limited, since the F3H could only achieve this indicated airspeed in level flight below 10,000 feet and only in a dive below 20,000 feet. However, it was considered by the Navy to be essential and in fact the switchover speed was classified, presumably because knowledge of it and the switching delay might prove useful to an opponent in air-to-air combat. <br /></p><p>When I observed in a blog post that both spoilers shouldn't have been extended on the F3H at the National Naval Aviation Museum, someone wrote to suggest that they sometimes were. Well, maybe, but until I saw a video recently of an F3H taxiing with the wings folded and both spoilers extended, I was dubious:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD542JenYbGkXODsIZZNFg9-XR2nFJ1f2crlaAzd8mbGEtl2NLBwbmjEWLqBLFaToHRdDHZRbk2er8ZXVMlkJFIvKHYXe2D3MVpFoNV4xwOnvXQGHUbYV0nLwJw4LduRoS4C1m2qe82AusvY2fqTct-lP-HcqadsynFqtT16NpQHE-1txNti5xNwQ4w/s1470/Image%205-11-22%20at%208.32%20PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1470" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcD542JenYbGkXODsIZZNFg9-XR2nFJ1f2crlaAzd8mbGEtl2NLBwbmjEWLqBLFaToHRdDHZRbk2er8ZXVMlkJFIvKHYXe2D3MVpFoNV4xwOnvXQGHUbYV0nLwJw4LduRoS4C1m2qe82AusvY2fqTct-lP-HcqadsynFqtT16NpQHE-1txNti5xNwQ4w/w640-h340/Image%205-11-22%20at%208.32%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Jerry Wells supplied the answer from F3H maintenance manual documents. It turns out that the push rods and bell cranks of the F3H's lateral control system go from the pilot's stick out across the wing fold near the wing leading edge to actuate the ailerons and then back across the wing fold near the wing trailing edge to actuate the spoilers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xgpz2O_J8Kfqk21Y37Bjq2CBqOIiU8ew4yVqQjK_u6r0G9UIgn25KIRmSBzhO0pexikfTPZOChpS8wL8EF2G7fjjPsjPbwM-PXcjRBrJq_5OFPxVdv5tT9UK9V-AB-UDk4meVZGiiF8brTQACpne4-4WaOTGwluXpo3-wS9K7-H0x-vhI66RDZ42mQ/s4125/Lateral%20Control%20Illustration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2067" data-original-width="4125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xgpz2O_J8Kfqk21Y37Bjq2CBqOIiU8ew4yVqQjK_u6r0G9UIgn25KIRmSBzhO0pexikfTPZOChpS8wL8EF2G7fjjPsjPbwM-PXcjRBrJq_5OFPxVdv5tT9UK9V-AB-UDk4meVZGiiF8brTQACpne4-4WaOTGwluXpo3-wS9K7-H0x-vhI66RDZ42mQ/w640-h320/Lateral%20Control%20Illustration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>When the F3H's wings were folded <u>and</u> the hydraulic system was pressurized, either by a hydraulic cart or the engine-driven hydraulic pump, the complex hidden details and inner workings of the lateral control system resulted in both spoilers extending. When the wings were unfolded, the spoilers retracted. When hydraulic pressure was removed when the wings were folded, the spoilers slowly settled back onto the surface of the wing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1gLs9WqOnLeEuTA9KhdSn6rwyeICEFaFRSiqHk_BfhMt721yt_saZn6y_pLdAvYFgl5E0p2nr5rwSrcqN7klPsO396xIXZOu2s0Ikqxr-5XhBVCIzRtIA2TlUq7NiSmfx7W0p4BpoFFXDKT7qkGSm08z0HThEWr6aePxh239bTI0AVVlx_vUig1J7g/s877/F3Hs%20Being%20Readied%20for%20Launch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="877" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1gLs9WqOnLeEuTA9KhdSn6rwyeICEFaFRSiqHk_BfhMt721yt_saZn6y_pLdAvYFgl5E0p2nr5rwSrcqN7klPsO396xIXZOu2s0Ikqxr-5XhBVCIzRtIA2TlUq7NiSmfx7W0p4BpoFFXDKT7qkGSm08z0HThEWr6aePxh239bTI0AVVlx_vUig1J7g/w640-h322/F3Hs%20Being%20Readied%20for%20Launch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that 104's spoiler is up; 103's is not (one F3H oddity is that the pilot did not have control over wing folding; a deck crewman had to fold or unfold the wings).</p><p>Transitioning a mechanical control system across the wing-fold joint was always an interesting design problem. See <a href="https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2011/03/grumman-sto-wing-redux.html">https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2011/03/grumman-sto-wing-redux.html.</a> It often resulted in ailerons being positioned "unnaturally":</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0237fD2NUME4oxqr1XhkBRycCe5Y9OO29wGDfNqTbIyTzlLr5BkdLReQzqUp_qkMLyOtvG07d8udWNbPgbvq7EUQcmfUQTUOt1k_l0_RV00XSKK250epX37l9TWVgsdyNF5j8jcLqpEMk3qArPY9rCuLwa9O2X00wYikP-9M-e3s1onQ0ElX5IAUWrA/s1934/F4F-4%20CV-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1934" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0237fD2NUME4oxqr1XhkBRycCe5Y9OO29wGDfNqTbIyTzlLr5BkdLReQzqUp_qkMLyOtvG07d8udWNbPgbvq7EUQcmfUQTUOt1k_l0_RV00XSKK250epX37l9TWVgsdyNF5j8jcLqpEMk3qArPY9rCuLwa9O2X00wYikP-9M-e3s1onQ0ElX5IAUWrA/w640-h490/F4F-4%20CV-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's not clear how long it took for the spoiler to lie back down after engine shutdown. In the following picture of what appears to be a respot of the deck immediately after a recovery, the spoilers on the F3H in the foreground appear to be down while at least one on the F3H coming behind it is still up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihoxoNYd1kIXT6XhV7kNJ2aCF7-6lnhH55r1QLn465Ef_uCfD3wWo6aJJCJQLYGi3G060H-9AKOFJKvFb0JqnPxWDmym4HxZpa48VMHNmeCKa_il0wCCNr55mvH9x2v2PTBGSclkbsKaNa9FipJ1r0NP66rNju2SgY7Ru9v7CIBwv4ct-YWKI2jN5qA/s479/F3H%20Respot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="479" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihoxoNYd1kIXT6XhV7kNJ2aCF7-6lnhH55r1QLn465Ef_uCfD3wWo6aJJCJQLYGi3G060H-9AKOFJKvFb0JqnPxWDmym4HxZpa48VMHNmeCKa_il0wCCNr55mvH9x2v2PTBGSclkbsKaNa9FipJ1r0NP66rNju2SgY7Ru9v7CIBwv4ct-YWKI2jN5qA/w640-h434/F3H%20Respot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>With respect to a parked F3H, while you can be pretty confident that the spoilers are down (for sure if the wings are not folded) and the speed brakes extended (although there are exceptions), the configuration of the other control surfaces is not certain either. This photo illustrates some of the possibilities:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ts_BfdfytAMElQFBS-2ZdNJaYvJnZSPWuZrgx45OcHis6_z2E1Z60N-m5gN5Z48Bh94i1zFdU0z_J4lJ-V4hVzy1Cy6YO0Y8xiRevkf1SgbAuAL0fdGDvICK4kTnQCC_FkcwK3rfpF0gkEu4BmuxgJ4NYGMLh3VYRpBzYPjE0wv0dv4a09MhHeQsxg/s2048/Folded%20Rear%20View%20lightened.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1669" data-original-width="2048" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ts_BfdfytAMElQFBS-2ZdNJaYvJnZSPWuZrgx45OcHis6_z2E1Z60N-m5gN5Z48Bh94i1zFdU0z_J4lJ-V4hVzy1Cy6YO0Y8xiRevkf1SgbAuAL0fdGDvICK4kTnQCC_FkcwK3rfpF0gkEu4BmuxgJ4NYGMLh3VYRpBzYPjE0wv0dv4a09MhHeQsxg/w640-h522/Folded%20Rear%20View%20lightened.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In most pictures, the ailerons on a folded F3H are both positioned slightly "up"; in this case—and there are other examples—they are slightly "down". It's unusual to see the flaps down and in this case, only one is. It is only rare to see an F3H parked, unfolded, with the wing slats extended and even rarer to see one with the ailerons drooping.<br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-21994414586570480162022-04-14T19:48:00.003-07:002022-04-16T08:12:58.304-07:00Blue Angel F-4J Rear Canopy Antenna<p>Among the more obvious modifications to the F-4Js flown by the Blue Angels, there were some necessary for operation into civil airports world wide. These included the addition of the anti-lock braking system (standard on USAF F-4s, not on Navy ones), a gaseous-oxygen system (not all the venues would have the capability to fill the liquid-oxygen system), a "special" drag chute*, and additional radios (VHF nav/com and ADF for example).</p><p> * Rarely seen but then unforgettable<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrquyf8BoQ0GUj8_9KK5cxr3-NKA4iJBPC-FgWsJ0eODAoms_o8zC393JF8ou4KHfAG1hTrbEY9tI4SNCEGHpMo35McBlMb5iH3FlgHaSgAeev13EgG9biNpmCOpW874lfKuovegWxnYDz2RMDLgZ2rUwbyiEADyqBpOc-mQgC5rHIl_mET2tE8HbDEg/s487/F-4J%20Drag%20Chute%20only.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="487" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrquyf8BoQ0GUj8_9KK5cxr3-NKA4iJBPC-FgWsJ0eODAoms_o8zC393JF8ou4KHfAG1hTrbEY9tI4SNCEGHpMo35McBlMb5iH3FlgHaSgAeev13EgG9biNpmCOpW874lfKuovegWxnYDz2RMDLgZ2rUwbyiEADyqBpOc-mQgC5rHIl_mET2tE8HbDEg/w640-h254/F-4J%20Drag%20Chute%20only.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Peter Greengrass' Google-fu<br /></p><p>The most obvious of these modifications from a modeling standpoint was an antenna array in the rear canopy. I'm still in need of its exact description and function but I'm pretty sure that it was associated with low frequency direction finding. Beginning in the 1920s, a pilot could determine where a known radio station was relative to his airplane with a direction-finding radio and display; that allowed him or her to navigate to a destination and make an approach for landing on the darkest night or in low visibility conditions (since needle was just as happy to point the way to the lightning in a thunderstorm as a radio station it also had some usefulness for avoiding one that predated radar).</p><p>There appears to be more than one antenna mounted in the rear canopy by means of a large translucent shield attached to two grey fittings on each side of the canopy:</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMCZZyILaCommXceBQoD9ogDmycx-TXyNSta92znjaVYIp7KBsSmQyeJg77HVQLvtHD2x4C81PWqps_WBFWQhChzMruGp3IGk-kmvP30G0J51teMA80Yj8sOKQd910OfShN6xsnBCvCIyu-H6jN-q2MjT9R6u4p9Veg5c1qJGxNV4acCr4D66jdfVVA/s1024/Aft%20Canopy%20high%20Res%20inside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMCZZyILaCommXceBQoD9ogDmycx-TXyNSta92znjaVYIp7KBsSmQyeJg77HVQLvtHD2x4C81PWqps_WBFWQhChzMruGp3IGk-kmvP30G0J51teMA80Yj8sOKQd910OfShN6xsnBCvCIyu-H6jN-q2MjT9R6u4p9Veg5c1qJGxNV4acCr4D66jdfVVA/w640-h480/Aft%20Canopy%20high%20Res%20inside.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Thanks to Bill S on Hyperscale for this screen grab.<br /><p></p><p>Note the embedded wiring in the shield and the rectangular antenna located at its aft end. It's not obvious in the picture above but there are large openings in the shield on its top and on each side:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvWQGwDxDDhVs8rF2M7YnTC_T4hoYBq6VmT9jldtxCONbL_qdkgfXzL9wuK7JWq1okgXtoOB8p9ILrpGWuTLn_4pe5KDu15wH07u-xvn1MZ6ORPHP2g92DTZVcF6G79j9ZiGcRA7VtxiOmDLN7O9-YSgA9r1qufsJlNtaiPWv6NKR54yAEnpVjUqZqw/s384/Antenna%20inside%203of3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvWQGwDxDDhVs8rF2M7YnTC_T4hoYBq6VmT9jldtxCONbL_qdkgfXzL9wuK7JWq1okgXtoOB8p9ILrpGWuTLn_4pe5KDu15wH07u-xvn1MZ6ORPHP2g92DTZVcF6G79j9ZiGcRA7VtxiOmDLN7O9-YSgA9r1qufsJlNtaiPWv6NKR54yAEnpVjUqZqw/w426-h640/Antenna%20inside%203of3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>The color of the rectangular antenna varies in different photographs from a dull fiberglass appearance to reddish.</p><p>A view from each side to size the shield in lieu of a drawing :</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c-ItAAVjESoY_KiglNO-tj2d94rSH00_wJfx6E2xBuGOs-u4o5BNZLMAKVfofjEyFuyj1y9c7oKY_ZHv9woahLOY02rUR5jeUyXPEEnBbO11LfebZHuqhmCMmDSj2q3uLeY19MGD30oUWCe6yp1adUceKEmGZvIKuhfbrrJvTn1vUBuN4lZEx1946Q/s3514/Left%20and%20Right%20Side.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="3514" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c-ItAAVjESoY_KiglNO-tj2d94rSH00_wJfx6E2xBuGOs-u4o5BNZLMAKVfofjEyFuyj1y9c7oKY_ZHv9woahLOY02rUR5jeUyXPEEnBbO11LfebZHuqhmCMmDSj2q3uLeY19MGD30oUWCe6yp1adUceKEmGZvIKuhfbrrJvTn1vUBuN4lZEx1946Q/w640-h142/Left%20and%20Right%20Side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that photographs are once again not to be relied on for determination of actual color (for my summary of the Blue Angels color scheme over the years, see <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/04/blue-angel-blue-and-gold-draft.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2011/04/blue-angel-blue-and-gold-draft.html</a> <br /></p><p>For more on the configuration of F-4Js flown by the Blue Angels, see <a href="https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-short-tragic-operation-of-f-4.html">https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-short-tragic-operation-of-f-4.html</a><br /></p><p></p><p>Thanks to Peter Greengrass for providing fairly high resolution pictures that could be cropped to show this feature.</p><p>My understanding is that the Thunderbird's F-4Es had a similar if not identical antenna farm in their rear canopies. Photos of it or better photos/illustrations of the Blue Angel's would be appreciated.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-86189670107314779432022-02-13T07:58:00.002-08:002022-02-13T08:07:11.047-08:00Grumman KA-6D<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4iK1QEudU-5BYMRUoZXBZP3nXNQbAWtELT_L0JfwcD8WL99FRizTZEc-jNH2leKGlNQ_8BW46Wp1o4cYH3lNTanOmNfrWBBL2vz3OsvGdM_lXhcKaIMXa-24BNjUprU0PKjw3gme0JJZYdkiVSP3U42ZV6PLxAl86Fp8UBONxhpr2Z0BhKUhi_b8poQ=s1400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1400" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4iK1QEudU-5BYMRUoZXBZP3nXNQbAWtELT_L0JfwcD8WL99FRizTZEc-jNH2leKGlNQ_8BW46Wp1o4cYH3lNTanOmNfrWBBL2vz3OsvGdM_lXhcKaIMXa-24BNjUprU0PKjw3gme0JJZYdkiVSP3U42ZV6PLxAl86Fp8UBONxhpr2Z0BhKUhi_b8poQ=w640-h194" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some odds and end...<p></p><p>From Baugher (<a href="http://www.joebaugher.com/usattack/newa6_4.html">http://www.joebaugher.com/usattack/newa6_4.html</a>):</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The KA-6D was a
tanker version of the Intruder, created by conversion of existing Intruder
airframes.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grumman had tried out
a buddy midair refueling pod underneath a conventional A-6A (BuNo 147865). In
addition, Grumman fitted an internal refueling package into BuNo 149937. But
these projects never proceeded any further because of a lack of any perceived
need for a tanker Intruder.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">However, in 1968 the
Navy changed its mind and Grumman was finally given authority to proceed with a
tanker version, designated KA-6D. The first KA-6D was obtained by modifying
BuNo 151582. It first flew on April 16, 1970, crewed by Chuck Sewell and D. R.
Cooke..</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The KA-6D was fitted
with an internal hose-and-reel refueling package, with the drogue fairing
protruding from underneath the rear fuselage. It could also carry a D-704
refueling pod on the fuselage centerline. The D-704 acted as a backup to the
internal refueling system, and provided its own power via a ram air turbine
mounted on the front. The radar and most of the DIANE equipment was removed,
but the KA-6D still retained a visual bombing capability (which was seldom
exercised). There were only minimal controls provided for the second crew
member, whose duties were now navigation and the monitoring of the refueling
operation.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A total of 90 KA-6Ds
were produced by modifying existing Intruder airframes. Although all of
the planes used airframes that were originally built as A-6As, 12 of them had
previously been upgraded to A-6E standards. When rebuilt from A-6As, the
KA-6Ds received all new fuel tanks, with two fuselage bulkheads being replaced.
There was extensive rework of the outer wing panels. The aircraft was completely
rewired. The Omega global inertial navigation system was fitted, with the
entire suite being controlled by an ASN-41 navigational computer. For
typical missions, the KA-6D caries four fuel tanks on the wing pylons. The
D-704 is sometimes carried as a backup to the primary hose-drum unit, or as a
means of ferrying the pod to other units.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The first deployable
Intruder squadron to receive the KA-6D was VA-176, which received its first
tankers on September 25, 1970. Each deployed Intruder squadron typically had 3
or 4 KA-6Ds assigned to it for the tanker mission. </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There was always the
ever-present danger that the refuelling hose could become stuck in the deployed
position after a refuelling operation and could not be reeled in. While
the refueling hose is deployed, the carrier arrester hook could not be extended
and it would be impossible to land on a carrier. The unfortunate aircraft
would have to find a land base very quickly or the crew would have to
eject. In order to prevent this from happening, there was an emergency
explosive cutter which severed the hose and allowed it to drop into the sea.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">From the KA-6D Flight Manual<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Inboard Profile</span></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsIXRn-Ib_LL_rs0_T90J7qylGIobxWR4UKc6rC3KT1PszvQHOuXcVQ1OtKgwx1nYk644AWm3fVVjRr8LVC_anT79PJ_2qnRCtCnWhxN3NcDdwu5nlVAd7RMMx0tqGwWubTiafr0EImJGg2z_mwRbDwQn70zOu9kxvst75JxAi3Awa9EaJQIPoYlzZrg=s2107" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2107" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsIXRn-Ib_LL_rs0_T90J7qylGIobxWR4UKc6rC3KT1PszvQHOuXcVQ1OtKgwx1nYk644AWm3fVVjRr8LVC_anT79PJ_2qnRCtCnWhxN3NcDdwu5nlVAd7RMMx0tqGwWubTiafr0EImJGg2z_mwRbDwQn70zOu9kxvst75JxAi3Awa9EaJQIPoYlzZrg=w640-h342" width="640" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Pilot's Side of the Cockpit</u></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCCTKoueqxxBKWZWdvUNwO4DXOg9J8KE88KweNl61xlCJstU2_op-vIT4oXP2jcGBlP_W7x6tOLknXsH8mNE-NIw1ovIu8nUKgpRMwXXGK8f0FqMIEUK4RN_4DLb5sFQ0g5K_NT10yz77D4kyRovD8cTQxXtXLymo9nrlQlBnsONRml_iNGh4CihVvqg=s1493" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1493" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCCTKoueqxxBKWZWdvUNwO4DXOg9J8KE88KweNl61xlCJstU2_op-vIT4oXP2jcGBlP_W7x6tOLknXsH8mNE-NIw1ovIu8nUKgpRMwXXGK8f0FqMIEUK4RN_4DLb5sFQ0g5K_NT10yz77D4kyRovD8cTQxXtXLymo9nrlQlBnsONRml_iNGh4CihVvqg=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u>Observer's Side of the Cockpit</u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh77BabZdCY2ay4Q-NfqTr6L5HMbZhLYdnK33ARqLgNvYgXARqho0p8QNDJtgGoO7qz8yaxPE7lQ0f1GT6YSsrmEqjEZzIrxpycFu9Zkh6jwTm0yMUteTWRZ_qXtTnm-M38zrDG08592QvVx9PL1GYspCrKuWGVPLJ0iFQ-E1qN7_xoDBHF3rMVkx5JQ=s2477" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="2477" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh77BabZdCY2ay4Q-NfqTr6L5HMbZhLYdnK33ARqLgNvYgXARqho0p8QNDJtgGoO7qz8yaxPE7lQ0f1GT6YSsrmEqjEZzIrxpycFu9Zkh6jwTm0yMUteTWRZ_qXtTnm-M38zrDG08592QvVx9PL1GYspCrKuWGVPLJ0iFQ-E1qN7_xoDBHF3rMVkx5JQ=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>For more on the D-704 store, see <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-under-wings-inflight-refueling.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-under-wings-inflight-refueling.html</a><br />
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{page:Section1;}</style></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-80574115725350218342021-09-12T10:13:00.005-07:002021-09-16T16:34:02.102-07:00TBF-1 versus TBM-3 OIl Cooler Location<p> 16 September 2021: Bill Spidle spotted the faint lines of the TBF oil cooler duct that I missed on the powerplant installation illustration.</p><p>First, note the different cowls of the TBF-1 and TBM-3:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpPfoYlJm0xqSF_tudfUeaCe0hPBK4kjlVv7Q77YrTQc_Ea8wy6oCkVspli5VDi2ba6gD7Asa4MRHDClw1tqpp0Hm1ZPa2pDqV0y7tIZElBK-GffB-FUBHll7K2Ke5rGvAHU73PpkoF0T/s2048/TBF-1+vs+-3+propeller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="2048" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpPfoYlJm0xqSF_tudfUeaCe0hPBK4kjlVv7Q77YrTQc_Ea8wy6oCkVspli5VDi2ba6gD7Asa4MRHDClw1tqpp0Hm1ZPa2pDqV0y7tIZElBK-GffB-FUBHll7K2Ke5rGvAHU73PpkoF0T/w640-h340/TBF-1+vs+-3+propeller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In both instances, the upper air inlet only provided air to a downdraft carburetor aft of the engine. Another inlet was added to the bottom of the cowl on the TBM-3 to provide air directly to a single oil cooler mounted at the bottom of the engine nacelle. After passing through it, the air exhausts out the bottom of the cowling through a flap similar to a cowl flap.<br /></p><p>The TBF-1 had two oil coolers, one on each side, exhausting through doors on each side of the forward fuselage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweQwE_dd7VV4_BK3kCyv5gVE_ko0_AGDzkGdGc5mmeqh1M4xMylVwtcbZIfyN_Dqnr2phkP8vFyD8dQtZN6IIcqKTxMZoKmuGz9l5Hz5u9EnF02zrhHXYmjFJc8Y4HJIqtbYPyZ9LLMyG/s2596/TBF-1+vs+TBM-3+Powerplant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2596" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweQwE_dd7VV4_BK3kCyv5gVE_ko0_AGDzkGdGc5mmeqh1M4xMylVwtcbZIfyN_Dqnr2phkP8vFyD8dQtZN6IIcqKTxMZoKmuGz9l5Hz5u9EnF02zrhHXYmjFJc8Y4HJIqtbYPyZ9LLMyG/w640-h282/TBF-1+vs+TBM-3+Powerplant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There appears to be a duct in the engine compartment leading to the oil cooler with its forward end behind the aft row of engine cylinders: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMMDy-T5L5KCLsC8RKrlrVfkD6XnDvfMYWgjQm3UYM9pg_Da_fZHummBUeJVkfbjXMrjVvTEWW1g4jynzHgi1f_eyS-JJLwGv6Ye0yRRZYT3veE4bn-c4ihwjNYevtG56u7WlZ5qO2K3c/s650/TBF+Oil+Coolers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="650" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMMDy-T5L5KCLsC8RKrlrVfkD6XnDvfMYWgjQm3UYM9pg_Da_fZHummBUeJVkfbjXMrjVvTEWW1g4jynzHgi1f_eyS-JJLwGv6Ye0yRRZYT3veE4bn-c4ihwjNYevtG56u7WlZ5qO2K3c/w640-h424/TBF+Oil+Coolers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>You have to look closely to see the lines representing the duct leading to the oil cooler (item 150) and its forward opening in this illustration: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL-r1V9Pt-3aPXVFO09IpVurfwitsd9tUPC7FQ3cyvOCnwZtc69pK4sGGoGLyGCPNjpLsLcod_8x3FlyOZt5Yw67nJBxWg0mkXx-pDmIcux2cp3QP9WkbtD0eIUMUL5-FJDCkFeSY7wuK/s975/TBF1+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="975" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL-r1V9Pt-3aPXVFO09IpVurfwitsd9tUPC7FQ3cyvOCnwZtc69pK4sGGoGLyGCPNjpLsLcod_8x3FlyOZt5Yw67nJBxWg0mkXx-pDmIcux2cp3QP9WkbtD0eIUMUL5-FJDCkFeSY7wuK/w640-h634/TBF1+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> Note that it is routed above the hot exhaust collector (item 149). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVYg-AqtE7WHCJqzy_YuXfya3_9hLB23VLDT3zz3R4QtF7K8UNbRsw81LAFcT5FDTShqPnpUSkwWtW36Nq7Z7ZW7hsth8zJ40ybKnkmCDwdBv-c3XSdX4TBGz0LiZuzTpGhlGj4pmXUdy/s1281/Oil+Cooler+Inlet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1281" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVYg-AqtE7WHCJqzy_YuXfya3_9hLB23VLDT3zz3R4QtF7K8UNbRsw81LAFcT5FDTShqPnpUSkwWtW36Nq7Z7ZW7hsth8zJ40ybKnkmCDwdBv-c3XSdX4TBGz0LiZuzTpGhlGj4pmXUdy/w400-h299/Oil+Cooler+Inlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>However, it does seem like a poor way to provide air to the oil cooler, given that it's being taken from a hot engine compartment, but there doesn't seem to be any room between the cylinder heads and the side of the cowling for the duct to extend forward.</p><p>And perhaps that's why the TBM-3 powerplant installation was revised to provide an air inlet at the bottom of the cowl:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc2vJnDxxSbzAwzpoAIg5zhBxqFrKvcRti0ZsUiNYa38Ev40aowbAe7i8c32-l5fLMN6p0aJdjSCJ9nNxiAn6mSloLhrbq-_nIHBNe_EbdHLu0wgekXNRt-G7D5YDV6XUzN0xQFyYM-VB/s616/TBM-3+Oil+Cooler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="616" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc2vJnDxxSbzAwzpoAIg5zhBxqFrKvcRti0ZsUiNYa38Ev40aowbAe7i8c32-l5fLMN6p0aJdjSCJ9nNxiAn6mSloLhrbq-_nIHBNe_EbdHLu0wgekXNRt-G7D5YDV6XUzN0xQFyYM-VB/w640-h238/TBM-3+Oil+Cooler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>That relocation resulted in a change to the cowl flap configuration (those provide the exit for air in the engine compartment at low speeds and high power settings to increase the air flow over the hot engine cylinders).</p><p>This inboard profile adds to any confusion:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbfZobxfq-_e5bTQ9ilxfr_jQLwG-GPz7gSAnld6zd0tPlJOLSjT8lih2rJY1fpg5qQn0ZTDX5w_Oc1WOjSECUGPYMPQdpKnzadVMn3nCh-91nsb4jBv4oQQrjzQnN4RgsQgL1E4gGV5o/s2066/IMG_2972.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="2066" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbfZobxfq-_e5bTQ9ilxfr_jQLwG-GPz7gSAnld6zd0tPlJOLSjT8lih2rJY1fpg5qQn0ZTDX5w_Oc1WOjSECUGPYMPQdpKnzadVMn3nCh-91nsb4jBv4oQQrjzQnN4RgsQgL1E4gGV5o/w640-h252/IMG_2972.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>It appears to be intended to show the early TBF configuration but the oil cooler location is the later one.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-59879823541989688662021-08-08T10:39:00.006-07:002021-08-13T21:15:31.415-07:00North American RA-5C Flasher Pod<p>14 August 2021: Jerry Wells provided me with maintenance manual details that required a slight revision to the drawing</p><p> 9 August 2021: I should have checked with Boom Powell before I posted this...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWWNioiIzt_1D3levmqSkBFtGlXnpah9vf5GconxJUFvVqxld15judAri-D1CXeY9XLzYelFqf-T58HkHDZUW_SQCC9EP00JejGvM3AWMfP7nOAxC7enSt0yg2ENxQ2XnLz1y4oIxdSji/s1455/RA-5C+wf+Flasher+Pod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1455" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWWNioiIzt_1D3levmqSkBFtGlXnpah9vf5GconxJUFvVqxld15judAri-D1CXeY9XLzYelFqf-T58HkHDZUW_SQCC9EP00JejGvM3AWMfP7nOAxC7enSt0yg2ENxQ2XnLz1y4oIxdSji/w640-h170/RA-5C+wf+Flasher+Pod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>For night photography, the RA-5C could be fitted with a self-powered flasher pod, part of the LS-43AI "Flasher System Photographic, Aircraft".</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj831d95YcPpVXh-KoTz93aCUNjkvzqviy7IGxCxzyaTze7VnagInGEKV_DUsyN5vkgYZXBfQy5yssn1xsIua_7R87cslFUpv92nHwbwwsrjRdh2eX0ZiHEGeo3_AsCeDMZOcUT7OzwFgxt/s2110/RA-5C+Flash+Pod+Cutaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="2110" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj831d95YcPpVXh-KoTz93aCUNjkvzqviy7IGxCxzyaTze7VnagInGEKV_DUsyN5vkgYZXBfQy5yssn1xsIua_7R87cslFUpv92nHwbwwsrjRdh2eX0ZiHEGeo3_AsCeDMZOcUT7OzwFgxt/w640-h254/RA-5C+Flash+Pod+Cutaway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A propeller was mounted on the aft end of the pod to provide the power required for the electronic flash. Flares had previously been used by the Navy but the technology dated back to World War II: <a href="https://invention.si.edu/seeing-dark-aerial-reconnaissance-wwii">https://invention.si.edu/seeing-dark-aerial-reconnaissance-wwii</a><p></p><p>From <i>Vigilante!</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvw2HdfAzZSZmTSuTmjXcwkfDPfrwiwf0j2jpVnXcFkimxfYILb23l_eFM6x2tZIS_8U8UVzYnzAwP-K_xwJ2yGemzr5Rft4RAEuMXGkHvEjxeTwkw7-y0TrpN2pIOUz70Fn-Q9Yi2ux7/s2048/IMG_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="2048" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvw2HdfAzZSZmTSuTmjXcwkfDPfrwiwf0j2jpVnXcFkimxfYILb23l_eFM6x2tZIS_8U8UVzYnzAwP-K_xwJ2yGemzr5Rft4RAEuMXGkHvEjxeTwkw7-y0TrpN2pIOUz70Fn-Q9Yi2ux7/s320/IMG_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"The pod had three strobe lamps, powered by the air stream, which generated 3 million candlepower in a 43-degree cone of illumination. The flasher pods could be set to flash either together or alternately, depending on the altitude and speed of the aircraft. The alternate mode gave each pod more time to recharge and therefore a brighter flash. The maximum usable altitude was 3,500 feet above the ground... The NATOPS Manual warned (because of the 2,600-volt capacitors), 'Do not touch for 10 minutes after power off' and 'Flasher can inflict PERMANENT BLINDNESS' ".<br /><p></p><p>I created this drawing from odds and ends of documentation as well as photographs not well suited to the task but I think it will be adequate as a modeling reference (note: Rev A corrects the shape of the small cooling air inlet at the front of the pod; Rev B corrects the aft end of the pylon where it attaches to the wing). Unlike other air-driven ECM/IFR pods, the generator was turned by a propeller with only two blades.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF3-Vv-of7nzvRV46kojtMWmMlhUrE3rJCAfhn1owmWiqPgmY3o-HpBT3e_oHSfVWRRQvq3CghuJppFcErC_oj6C2zjbOS9YKVz4IVDsE0vDhxVl5GPQvWHaR9Y8OK8xnpnY5rNhce9N4/s1223/RA-5C+Flasher+Pod+Rev+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1223" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF3-Vv-of7nzvRV46kojtMWmMlhUrE3rJCAfhn1owmWiqPgmY3o-HpBT3e_oHSfVWRRQvq3CghuJppFcErC_oj6C2zjbOS9YKVz4IVDsE0vDhxVl5GPQvWHaR9Y8OK8xnpnY5rNhce9N4/w640-h324/RA-5C+Flasher+Pod+Rev+B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The pod could be mounted under either wing:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3k-wqwQeIl9SfSARHhnzo391Cs0Cgxl86c7ESQPhBvqDVpQ_Fzvwzx71-NNnuGbjarGZQLN8-VxVk-d5bvOVS2cJe_8vzqAUXGLx8jG_qzbYzo5TZNZzpxGIku2pScKfDDqvePprM9Lh/s1148/RA-5C+Bottom+View.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1148" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3k-wqwQeIl9SfSARHhnzo391Cs0Cgxl86c7ESQPhBvqDVpQ_Fzvwzx71-NNnuGbjarGZQLN8-VxVk-d5bvOVS2cJe_8vzqAUXGLx8jG_qzbYzo5TZNZzpxGIku2pScKfDDqvePprM9Lh/w640-h414/RA-5C+Bottom+View.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This picture should suffice for a cross section:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWfNOMhTIftQTdQA4sAJzQykolHVTe5czDHx-JcY_a1A1xhAAHTHbI6S8foiijMIsdiQ3ySHNVqGgZqVrrKf5FMeYjwz4yGZ9OVnvzKwxc6KjodMHodNtQrqIbpedb7BV6ghleN-4krzM/s573/Pod+from+front+and+below+Color.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="573" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWfNOMhTIftQTdQA4sAJzQykolHVTe5czDHx-JcY_a1A1xhAAHTHbI6S8foiijMIsdiQ3ySHNVqGgZqVrrKf5FMeYjwz4yGZ9OVnvzKwxc6KjodMHodNtQrqIbpedb7BV6ghleN-4krzM/w640-h392/Pod+from+front+and+below+Color.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Boom Powell Collection<br /></div>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-50166804478280191282021-06-06T10:08:00.010-07:002021-06-22T20:54:30.701-07:00Grumman F9F-8P Photoflash Cartridge Ejector Pylon<p>ReccePhreak asked about the F9F-8P's photoflash pod needed for night aerial photography. The answer turned out to be hidden in plain sight and it wasn't a pod but more of a pylon. It isn't identified on the F9F-8P SAC three-view but it's there at Wing Station 96, 25 inches outboard of the pylon used for external tanks and just outboard of the wing fence:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbpTvq_mTc7VEi3vBQqwF71gN5CIP_J9t7Z8DzHxTacwezqdLg6mVoi4jix2fZRjLITLhmKNSiiPHDR2kXz4Aixd2fCBXqv87A0aeDqZraeGOTcVmVTd6uFJbASi1oQQEd4i5RGuFA30U/s1236/F9F-8P+Two+View.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1236" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbpTvq_mTc7VEi3vBQqwF71gN5CIP_J9t7Z8DzHxTacwezqdLg6mVoi4jix2fZRjLITLhmKNSiiPHDR2kXz4Aixd2fCBXqv87A0aeDqZraeGOTcVmVTd6uFJbASi1oQQEd4i5RGuFA30U/w640-h562/F9F-8P+Two+View.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I also found two pictures of it on the wing in Steve Ginter's Naval Fighters Number Sixty-Seven, Grumman F9F-6P/8P Photo-Cougar:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6mSr37Trhv0of1wHo0K1QJuVKThrxZDCLCcyShFVMkdKahzQdyNf7OfILGVVpCWFO0_yQ93RIs7N35VN8OssRosVHh6zrNzblVxy0_jokqWPpQ4cXNuteYsOoghfvWNztNkAimQ1QO0r/s3096/Flasher+Pylon+Picture+Cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="3096" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6mSr37Trhv0of1wHo0K1QJuVKThrxZDCLCcyShFVMkdKahzQdyNf7OfILGVVpCWFO0_yQ93RIs7N35VN8OssRosVHh6zrNzblVxy0_jokqWPpQ4cXNuteYsOoghfvWNztNkAimQ1QO0r/w640-h210/Flasher+Pylon+Picture+Cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqwMpBFJ3LKNmrp3FZMl99c_p8tnccSQCCVii4Xxfx43Cdq1nu109ZuV45iQU1r6Mj7YmmT226V7eIOP4uZlLnTMZVdVoKrPyCeVrn0f-AQQ2BiKxivk4v8wHtTcaz0ZWqJLqFKNx_zLd/s1408/Pylon+Picture+2of2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1408" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqwMpBFJ3LKNmrp3FZMl99c_p8tnccSQCCVii4Xxfx43Cdq1nu109ZuV45iQU1r6Mj7YmmT226V7eIOP4uZlLnTMZVdVoKrPyCeVrn0f-AQQ2BiKxivk4v8wHtTcaz0ZWqJLqFKNx_zLd/w640-h286/Pylon+Picture+2of2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>And another, not mounted, in my files:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQAk2tUp4OVxTPLWDUlICWOg2pyqgquVBX7dlsArCyaeMewm7rIKOZt-ajnSt35yXvtiyLFpU1fTzCxtpSYyMwdE0FSfzvnEYESNSsCRTvp0i6xO4h7BLeZQezskEBs3Y4Bx9ODAHDWnB/s233/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="233" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQAk2tUp4OVxTPLWDUlICWOg2pyqgquVBX7dlsArCyaeMewm7rIKOZt-ajnSt35yXvtiyLFpU1fTzCxtpSYyMwdE0FSfzvnEYESNSsCRTvp0i6xO4h7BLeZQezskEBs3Y4Bx9ODAHDWnB/w640-h393/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Note that it's about twice the width and depth of the inboard pylon. Jerry Wells then provided me with technical manual information for the F9F-8P and F2H-2P that included a description of the two different flash-cartridge holders and this isometric cutaway illustration of the F9F-8P Mk 51 Mod 14 pylon.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A3DIDFANnon7SWjrybHcg_kGGHbR7F2fy_7BFmZz6Fax2KZAn-YKMwtRmdJsgmghhB62m-F3Fg7TM-NsRfRzNrNi22AO6cZSC6m522EyTZ7AuDTLruH3gmXzbNP6shDxD6xULKBAtCxK/s2048/F9F-8P+Flash+Pod+Isometric.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A3DIDFANnon7SWjrybHcg_kGGHbR7F2fy_7BFmZz6Fax2KZAn-YKMwtRmdJsgmghhB62m-F3Fg7TM-NsRfRzNrNi22AO6cZSC6m522EyTZ7AuDTLruH3gmXzbNP6shDxD6xULKBAtCxK/w400-h270/F9F-8P+Flash+Pod+Isometric.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>That allowed me to create this notional drawing of the pylon (Butt Line is the same as Wing Station):<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxpIKYHOxil_x0aghLoglwTLkUogv624ccnCm33RBB7C5Tjc3Xx5l-8fMSAV4U4YFUq-ZNHDXWv3NdTNSDpMzHI5ukSS_xpLAcfax8kt9BahTA_UmCsiYTvno_4I6E6fYcAnrKoLztKVv/s766/F9F-8P+Mk+51+Photo+Flash+Pod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="766" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxpIKYHOxil_x0aghLoglwTLkUogv624ccnCm33RBB7C5Tjc3Xx5l-8fMSAV4U4YFUq-ZNHDXWv3NdTNSDpMzHI5ukSS_xpLAcfax8kt9BahTA_UmCsiYTvno_4I6E6fYcAnrKoLztKVv/w640-h264/F9F-8P+Mk+51+Photo+Flash+Pod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Note that the Ejector Type A-6 contains 52 flash cartridges and the B-4, 20 somewhat larger ones.<br /><p>The F2H-2P did utilize a pod that incorporated the A-6 and B-4 cartridge holders for night photography. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXHImpni2zxFhwXVaZu6U6a-9gtJHtxe-GyAouP0CwV5hZsU1jMZQTo1wcga0NvYub0UStspcP0rk_D-iTfw7jRoU6qSef6k-3z-4CHAz-y-8eIwHVx_yyRfCh2wwItdPfqp89iNFluso/s1194/F2H-2P+Flash+Pod.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1194" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXHImpni2zxFhwXVaZu6U6a-9gtJHtxe-GyAouP0CwV5hZsU1jMZQTo1wcga0NvYub0UStspcP0rk_D-iTfw7jRoU6qSef6k-3z-4CHAz-y-8eIwHVx_yyRfCh2wwItdPfqp89iNFluso/w400-h164/F2H-2P+Flash+Pod.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpITTriViQlugRAA6R4UcqZPYhhwI32wLQy9k1Ey39pV4hg4O21JiW3dO_OHsxdqGTwKAiKDKRo_jxByuTvaPTh4NevDEThXz8tCaaf_Tv78DxQmdFQsKArGmbjNnPhVphEQeEIy6KQiRR/s630/F2H-2P+flash+pod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="630" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpITTriViQlugRAA6R4UcqZPYhhwI32wLQy9k1Ey39pV4hg4O21JiW3dO_OHsxdqGTwKAiKDKRo_jxByuTvaPTh4NevDEThXz8tCaaf_Tv78DxQmdFQsKArGmbjNnPhVphEQeEIy6KQiRR/w640-h346/F2H-2P+flash+pod.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is my notional illustration of that pod.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zacpUFrJJp3LHDynwBncN8IU6DKi96RYcmKh1LP3SdjIjH2VmyYSnp0HfXH6YcRAzk6hFFHgEXWVTwR7iKDm5NTmCP6_7H839dumgBClYo0YtWxGFN84TlbCEZeCTsJf5nue2A6PO1cv/s615/F2H-2P+Flasher+Pod+Three+View+Final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="615" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zacpUFrJJp3LHDynwBncN8IU6DKi96RYcmKh1LP3SdjIjH2VmyYSnp0HfXH6YcRAzk6hFFHgEXWVTwR7iKDm5NTmCP6_7H839dumgBClYo0YtWxGFN84TlbCEZeCTsJf5nue2A6PO1cv/w640-h330/F2H-2P+Flasher+Pod+Three+View+Final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>One point of confusion is that the F2H technical manual was explicit about a pod with the B-4 ejector being loaded on station 7 only but the 20-cartridge pod in the picture above my drawing is mounted on Station 2 (the eight pylons are numbered from left to right).</p><p>Note that the pod in both pictures appears to be mounted on the outboard F2H pylon (station 1/8) that was located farther forward than the next one inboard but that's because a fairing was added on the front of the AERO 14 pylon at station 2/7 to cover the wiring added to control the flash cartridge deployment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhpb4kifay6X88XVyY4_0xu2V9o6I8-amDkTA7NomN4QR5xwy7nyz9UO5v96QxAdVhIZdwtE2WO4eIleWo1iUBJ2IIWsDZR45nF_7ee8eTdM1xJIfdkSMIgUt7kC580AhnNmnEv5vREzR/s1269/F2H+Pylon+Location+Illustration+Rev+A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1269" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhpb4kifay6X88XVyY4_0xu2V9o6I8-amDkTA7NomN4QR5xwy7nyz9UO5v96QxAdVhIZdwtE2WO4eIleWo1iUBJ2IIWsDZR45nF_7ee8eTdM1xJIfdkSMIgUt7kC580AhnNmnEv5vREzR/w640-h484/F2H+Pylon+Location+Illustration+Rev+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For more on the F2H pylon installation, see <a href="http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/06/mcdonnell-f2h-banshee-stores-pylons.html">http://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2021/06/mcdonnell-f2h-banshee-stores-pylons.html</a><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-28200397364742711242021-02-24T20:37:00.000-08:002021-02-24T20:37:45.977-08:00Westinghouse J40 Afterburner Nozzle<p> Afterburning requires a variable exit nozzle that increases the size of the opening for the increased thrust. The nozzle was often fully open during engine start to reduce back pressure and also at idle, to reduce idle thrust.</p><p>Afrerburner nozzles now are generally fully variable (or can at least be partially opened in one or more positions) but back in the day in part due to fuel control limitations, were either fully open or fully closed.</p><p>Hence the acceptability of a clam-shell nozzle, which is what Westinghouse utilized on the J40:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLATovnDLl2dtjT4EN_grwmOX94kHJ-K9iXh3JD7TofkOSdR8-Ojbqd10nH7xcxHctEPFMLXYwk5Y5EtfciFu4oxXWH_yPieUiowLunI64_0DmstUZo1k4LHDUQnP6xwq51uDVxkp5Z9kN/s1260/J40+Afterburner+Nozzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1260" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLATovnDLl2dtjT4EN_grwmOX94kHJ-K9iXh3JD7TofkOSdR8-Ojbqd10nH7xcxHctEPFMLXYwk5Y5EtfciFu4oxXWH_yPieUiowLunI64_0DmstUZo1k4LHDUQnP6xwq51uDVxkp5Z9kN/w640-h517/J40+Afterburner+Nozzle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is a picture of the rear end of a J40 with the outer shell around the clam-shell halves cut away from 9 to 12 o'clock like the rest of the afterburner section:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8DJRU8TsTwh41jLdec1omWessqYfzCT2hqw5h0yRoQxvisAEWiDIndHAbu3QBnqn740smnIdbGoxB9gDuRHOL8aeuEuR0sLWN4iYfsSHXTb-ORcb4MJpgBiCGrKTtns0kquidAzpnR-y/s1600/Westinghouse%252520J40%252520rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8DJRU8TsTwh41jLdec1omWessqYfzCT2hqw5h0yRoQxvisAEWiDIndHAbu3QBnqn740smnIdbGoxB9gDuRHOL8aeuEuR0sLWN4iYfsSHXTb-ORcb4MJpgBiCGrKTtns0kquidAzpnR-y/w640-h480/Westinghouse%252520J40%252520rear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Note that the nozzle is fully opened and located between an outer shell and the tailpipe. Also note the flame-holder rings that fed fuel into the afterburner. I'm sure that the interior of the afterburner was not red; it was just painted red on this display engine to differentiate it from the other engine sections.</p><p>I don't have a good picture that shows the gap between the two halves of the clam-shell nozzle when it is fully open but this should give you the idea:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP66ZZMiUT6vqm2xmoBB_2It1fplllwCQ4tDxNswDrpiGGz6ff11RuvFWazKn_hlHnAr2JUYnawHk1Jz-QMPSkSRfyYhoNbQOLUIZfjwVde-8DUFslFpDonAyiwuXkYzRAGSDsecrPTiSp/s310/Open+Nozzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="310" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP66ZZMiUT6vqm2xmoBB_2It1fplllwCQ4tDxNswDrpiGGz6ff11RuvFWazKn_hlHnAr2JUYnawHk1Jz-QMPSkSRfyYhoNbQOLUIZfjwVde-8DUFslFpDonAyiwuXkYzRAGSDsecrPTiSp/w640-h539/Open+Nozzle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The actuator housing was the reason for that small fairing on the side of the fuselage. The natural metal surface is fuselage skin. Aft of that is the dark outer shell of the engine itself and aft of that are the open clam-shell halves.<br /><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-52650915817099361952020-10-28T17:39:00.001-07:002020-11-06T09:34:53.196-08:00Sword Models 1/72 Turret-less TBM Variants<p>6 November 2020: Norm Filer provided the following picture and notes on the TBM-3R that he built from the Sword kit described below:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzmDN07JC59MYa24V4K1qtzgifAgJgt1OBv6OGN3RhXsJPNHRRnTWXmBmaFdYC0J91Jc5qGwvqB9n1TBoKQzD2lQR3mavXajPjRVbDSwjm8-Wg6f3HTr2aycMCOX__4AFjDjJ2Os2RzzT/s898/Norm+Filer+TBM-3R+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="898" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzmDN07JC59MYa24V4K1qtzgifAgJgt1OBv6OGN3RhXsJPNHRRnTWXmBmaFdYC0J91Jc5qGwvqB9n1TBoKQzD2lQR3mavXajPjRVbDSwjm8-Wg6f3HTr2aycMCOX__4AFjDjJ2Os2RzzT/w640-h341/Norm+Filer+TBM-3R+web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>"No significant issues. The usual vague
instructions and soft plastic which leads to large sprue gates and
sometimes not square mating surfaces. When it is done it looks
good."<p></p><p>Original Post:<br /></p><p>Sword Models has just released 1/72 scale model kits of airplanes that are not sexy but were ground-breaking in their time, in this case examples of the repurposing the WW II General Motors TBM Avenger, which had been designed, developed, and initially produced by Grumman as the TBF. Attacking capital ships with torpedoes had gone out of fashion by the end of the war, but the TBM was big and sturdy and there were a lot of them left over. As a result, they were quickly and easily adapted to other missions now needing a suitable carrier-based airplane to accomplish. For more on the U.S. Navy TBMs, see <a href="http://thanlont.blogspot.com/2015/07/post-war-eastern-tbm-variants.html">http://thanlont.blogspot.com/2015/07/post-war-eastern-tbm-variants.html</a><br /></p><p>All three kits contain the same plastic, including the canopies for each kit. Only the instructions and decals are different. <br /></p><p>The first picture is the beautiful art on the cover of the box; the second are profiles of the markings in the kit. </p><p>SW72130 TBM-3SAvenger AS.3/4/6</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8dNyBoLO1eMK1b2DtUdRFWRaGIeaZtFBiYE2wBUECIqmw777lM_Ys6Y0GgwhjFjqkcw9vcq5c520T6EBISmXayvPqrd10RmERArkBETJfFinz5frEyNmAKwZh8Or5HLO-ZTBt5bl_wAC/s634/sw72130-avenger-as4+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="634" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8dNyBoLO1eMK1b2DtUdRFWRaGIeaZtFBiYE2wBUECIqmw777lM_Ys6Y0GgwhjFjqkcw9vcq5c520T6EBISmXayvPqrd10RmERArkBETJfFinz5frEyNmAKwZh8Or5HLO-ZTBt5bl_wAC/w400-h196/sw72130-avenger-as4+cover.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0MhYV6xzM1DObSq-A7aiaEtNgiaDK5HQDmf_H2WAlxGH4-a4YaDeZm63odWcqcHPsoJSfozVdQ9QQO7wLPrjKaC4rjkKsx3rr8RLL0l1LmXGvBsIU871TGoYkqkKsmoa1IMJbgOnLFm_/s793/sw72130-avenger-as4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="793" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0MhYV6xzM1DObSq-A7aiaEtNgiaDK5HQDmf_H2WAlxGH4-a4YaDeZm63odWcqcHPsoJSfozVdQ9QQO7wLPrjKaC4rjkKsx3rr8RLL0l1LmXGvBsIU871TGoYkqkKsmoa1IMJbgOnLFm_/w640-h444/sw72130-avenger-as4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Unfortunately, the identification of the kit contents is somewhat inaccurate in some places. Instructions and decals are provided for an AS.3 operated by the Royal Canadian Navy (not a TBM-3S, per se) and an ECM.6 operated by the Royal Navy. The AS.4 retained its turret, which is not provided in the kit; I'm not sure that there actually was an AS.6. Only a few (eight?) Royal Navy versions was converted to the ECM.6.<br /><p></p><p>SW72131 TBM-3S2 Avenger</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsoCa6Ivk9rYztWcsaQPxrtrPSqTAsvMIyFj6SqqlIO775jCMKk7yif-LOc_nOAzQmeD9HYW7P2qFo_OCyyLu-vBWiMH88mG2YUB85702DJWQ6aWW4j-g3dEVOnzeZ6eBa4Z9NzxwzKS-/s636/sw72131-tbm-3s2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="636" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsoCa6Ivk9rYztWcsaQPxrtrPSqTAsvMIyFj6SqqlIO775jCMKk7yif-LOc_nOAzQmeD9HYW7P2qFo_OCyyLu-vBWiMH88mG2YUB85702DJWQ6aWW4j-g3dEVOnzeZ6eBa4Z9NzxwzKS-/w320-h189/sw72131-tbm-3s2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyol9IL7Y6LbJCsb0FnbvJ1hlDiRpzs5Vo5Bsk0HJcEbpIA-jfwzLSg1Tyw-2Zy1dMJNSNB77M84HiWxBiIl1xVeB2YtutNSZcww_Iu35ZZQahUKZHNM4PhThmmlgKSk3rHBAq7kRxs2k/s797/sw72131-tbm-3s2+Markings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="569" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyol9IL7Y6LbJCsb0FnbvJ1hlDiRpzs5Vo5Bsk0HJcEbpIA-jfwzLSg1Tyw-2Zy1dMJNSNB77M84HiWxBiIl1xVeB2YtutNSZcww_Iu35ZZQahUKZHNM4PhThmmlgKSk3rHBAq7kRxs2k/w456-h640/sw72131-tbm-3s2+Markings.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>You'll note that the RCN AS.3 depicted here has a slightly different canopy than the one in SW72130 and there are two variations of the -3S2 canopy. The TBM-3S2 was preceded by the very similar TBM-3S (consistent with U.S. Navy designation practice, there was no TBM-3S1), about which more later.<br /><p></p><p>SW72132 TBM-3R Avenger<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIh3vcUGcJp2ykwwAkwem9VpTy3yogCx1sOcAB9EjI9Apc4WK10rEZvnPFf1X6zbRAgYFYn64ePAhugzCp8V3NZKcOMf6HZ0gTTlvcaz_-beR4czvG79LM_jnq3ZW7mrBdpdrj4MqtBQz/s634/sw72132-tbm-3r.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="634" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIh3vcUGcJp2ykwwAkwem9VpTy3yogCx1sOcAB9EjI9Apc4WK10rEZvnPFf1X6zbRAgYFYn64ePAhugzCp8V3NZKcOMf6HZ0gTTlvcaz_-beR4czvG79LM_jnq3ZW7mrBdpdrj4MqtBQz/w320-h155/sw72132-tbm-3r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7ffoPH6LUmgw1SCGvTmdmTLkTYIHXfBlOoabMyTH0xJfEfnb411VXAbJfw62VusceQO3Cx6C3RsfZ-qOlQBCa46BGOVLiTAqcMLEVLMLJkyuqS6GPhmmtW6HquN9uPsSLHWliQUL87J_/s636/TBM-3R+markings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="636" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7ffoPH6LUmgw1SCGvTmdmTLkTYIHXfBlOoabMyTH0xJfEfnb411VXAbJfw62VusceQO3Cx6C3RsfZ-qOlQBCa46BGOVLiTAqcMLEVLMLJkyuqS6GPhmmtW6HquN9uPsSLHWliQUL87J_/w640-h474/TBM-3R+markings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My personal favorite, the first of the really capable CODs. For more on this variant, see <a href="http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/01/tbm-3r-cod.html">http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2013/01/tbm-3r-cod.html</a><br /><p>Note that Sword also plans to issue yet another variant later this year, the very colorful TBM-3U. For more on this particular TBM, see <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-colorul-tbm-3u.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-colorul-tbm-3u.html</a><br /></p><p>I have yet to do more than fondle the plastic (and haven't seen any online reviews so far) but my first impression is that these kits are highly detailed and excellent quality. The builder will need to pay close attention to the pictorial instuctions because all of the parts, including canopies, for each variant are in each kit. There will be a few parts left over.</p><p>Another configuration detail that differentiates the various TBMs is the presence or absence of the external tailhook, which is dependent on which particular TBM-3 or -3E Bureau Number was the basis for the conversion. This is described in the first link above.<br /></p>More later...<br /><br /><br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-19002576051693908212020-09-26T11:00:00.002-07:002020-09-26T20:34:55.297-07:00Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat<p>The Navy adapted most of its fighters for the photographic-reconnaissance mission. The big Grumman F7F Tigercat was no exception and it was probably the most capable of the propeller-pulled ones. Its five-camera capability included tri-metrogon coverage, which was basically three cameras providing horizon to horizon photographs that could be merged into one. The most forward camera station was for detailed vertical pictures; the pilot was provided with a periscope to aim it. The fifth camera took "flat" oblique pictures to the left side of the airplane.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5lA-eeX3VhgPFYyIrl_54ylcFqAGitpcawTyrxn81PlhmkJFQ1QnZhe4tV_5Pv3nr7x3F6ywUtgi_bs8jVP-YCBbaVu2EWOLg7AIxzup67cNTOzkccna_KkP4ea9m_AEvHPhyphenhyphenNEdE0o6/s2048/F7F-3P+Illustration+Rev+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="2048" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5lA-eeX3VhgPFYyIrl_54ylcFqAGitpcawTyrxn81PlhmkJFQ1QnZhe4tV_5Pv3nr7x3F6ywUtgi_bs8jVP-YCBbaVu2EWOLg7AIxzup67cNTOzkccna_KkP4ea9m_AEvHPhyphenhyphenNEdE0o6/w640-h330/F7F-3P+Illustration+Rev+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The aft cockpit was usually occupied by the removable reserve tank since there was nothing for a second crewman to do and the belly tank would block the periscope view. A metal panel often replaced the aft cockpit's plexiglass canopy.</p><p>The periscope hatch in the belly just aft of the cockpit was provided with louvers that the pilot opened when taking vertical pictures, pictured here from the left side of the fuselage.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84qhXIg48KmxeDDqfVuPrGNM-15vtAqVW1ZpovcMfXsfJT7AKd7gta866rYCGdXOaTjx0ac1i9ingXe7j2-K3aONHaXjfpvXLOBJCHPB9-x8b40AEdWIZEpnASakyuYJhgMWxXE28kmv1/s1794/Periscope+Hatch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84qhXIg48KmxeDDqfVuPrGNM-15vtAqVW1ZpovcMfXsfJT7AKd7gta866rYCGdXOaTjx0ac1i9ingXe7j2-K3aONHaXjfpvXLOBJCHPB9-x8b40AEdWIZEpnASakyuYJhgMWxXE28kmv1/s320/Periscope+Hatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The pilot viewed the image in a mirror located on the floor just left of center.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY3YunEMzve6AbmBSQkSnlLsGrGEuY3ysP9ljIkBj9J9fblJgAlQtNoZyuqdWJLKiSxly5egR13YN5BcFxZGQM5RawXs-rfZ_T_iuApTEm1-Q94Q6firz60AQeRJRiE3Na3aQ8_rhcmyD/s2048/Periscope+Cockpit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY3YunEMzve6AbmBSQkSnlLsGrGEuY3ysP9ljIkBj9J9fblJgAlQtNoZyuqdWJLKiSxly5egR13YN5BcFxZGQM5RawXs-rfZ_T_iuApTEm1-Q94Q6firz60AQeRJRiE3Na3aQ8_rhcmyD/w640-h448/Periscope+Cockpit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The big funnel is the viewing end of the periscope (the small black one on the right at the end of a long tube is the pilot's relief tube). The mirror would be mounted in the square plate just in front of it.<p>When not in use, the open camera ports were covered by metal plates slid into and out of place by cables pulled by electric motors.</p><p>The bottom ports and access hatches, looking aft from the right side:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSdhjpLpnqNWy3CwDroKG_0jozXBvqdBnvYcQxLBzRRDZNZYMwzg9a8em3-dRVSuhxu-SxgQ43MaxN7djGTVaEl0WvAycJ3sa2phiuFwBjSPxA6m0Z8FxsiirDIoHpt-nTmq2Eq9djCAf/s2048/Bottom+Ports+and+Hatches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="2048" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSdhjpLpnqNWy3CwDroKG_0jozXBvqdBnvYcQxLBzRRDZNZYMwzg9a8em3-dRVSuhxu-SxgQ43MaxN7djGTVaEl0WvAycJ3sa2phiuFwBjSPxA6m0Z8FxsiirDIoHpt-nTmq2Eq9djCAf/w640-h520/Bottom+Ports+and+Hatches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The right-side port (the cover isn't fully closed):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3MSUPKSGUrlARMttk0_BRGtAgUhBTO3vhCfickWgt0X3DRmiGBuVrB6AeYSBYmwOCFMhkvQfDTwocCzmx1CI8K-h4yqCi23lkoNAwkLA8ih7lRR6JOHbNsNqR2k5FB97m5MfoH7COmXB/s2048/Right+Side+Port.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1697" data-original-width="2048" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3MSUPKSGUrlARMttk0_BRGtAgUhBTO3vhCfickWgt0X3DRmiGBuVrB6AeYSBYmwOCFMhkvQfDTwocCzmx1CI8K-h4yqCi23lkoNAwkLA8ih7lRR6JOHbNsNqR2k5FB97m5MfoH7COmXB/w640-h530/Right+Side+Port.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The left-side ports:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcbH6xTXnx_Hc9_21qxzbXGumLDMYdu6dKkmKL9mh6f_kk576i-6vAxWj7BI9MjUrbQUpTpe_ZuRguQqaEvHCmzEnwp7sivOdDhtC-fykZWNQUkil1QsU-XM6CxiUoeixbw05lId_RLyv/s478/Left+Side+Camera+Ports.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcbH6xTXnx_Hc9_21qxzbXGumLDMYdu6dKkmKL9mh6f_kk576i-6vAxWj7BI9MjUrbQUpTpe_ZuRguQqaEvHCmzEnwp7sivOdDhtC-fykZWNQUkil1QsU-XM6CxiUoeixbw05lId_RLyv/w540-h640/Left+Side+Camera+Ports.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><p> </p><p>The four cannons located in the wing leading edge between the fuselage and engines were removed. However, it appears that there were at least provisions for the .50-caliber machine guns mounted in the nose since the gun ports are present.</p><p>For a summary of the various Tigercat versions, see <a href="https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2016/11/grumman-f7f-tigercat-variations.html">https://tailhooktopics.blogspot.com/2016/11/grumman-f7f-tigercat-variations.html</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-52542734080304562622020-06-14T10:44:00.000-07:002020-06-14T12:51:09.652-07:00A-3 Versions WindowsA question has arisen with respect to the number of windows on the side of the fuselage of the A-3 mission variants. The variants were derivatives of the A3D-2 bomber that had the bomb bay deleted and the forward fuel cell moved aft to create a cabin just aft of the flight deck. For more, see <a href="https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/09/mighty-skywarrior.html">https://tailspintopics.blogspot.com/2010/09/mighty-skywarrior.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrPUZcgeNv2TP8Dh3Lk8BI2tx6EY0vbaX23XNG4k9L3VEx2zeklwdshocJCY94VnIHDiMu26g0DJDPUJyZZmrwTYi3AH6XzkzYpTRouudx2rabrSVjdoy2pc0QYDBq0pjhGi_WJt3vSIj/s1600/A3D+Bomber+vs+Version+Fuselage+Fuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrPUZcgeNv2TP8Dh3Lk8BI2tx6EY0vbaX23XNG4k9L3VEx2zeklwdshocJCY94VnIHDiMu26g0DJDPUJyZZmrwTYi3AH6XzkzYpTRouudx2rabrSVjdoy2pc0QYDBq0pjhGi_WJt3vSIj/s640/A3D+Bomber+vs+Version+Fuselage+Fuel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The variants were the A3D-2P (RA-3B), A3D-2Q (EA-3B), and A3D-2T (TA-3B). Some A3D-2Ts (and reportedly an EA-3B) were outfitted as a transport and at least one was converted to an EA-3B. Subsequent repurposing of the RA-3B resulted in the ERA-3B.<br />
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The A3D-2P was easily recognizable for its camera port fairings and the single porthole on the side of the fuselage. The A3D-2Q had three windows and a door on the right side of the fuselage; there were no windows on the left side of the fuselage as the left side of the cabin was filled with consoles. The A3D-2T had four windows on the left side in addition to the windows and door on the right side.<br />
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As it happens, all of the variants were built with provisions for all the windows on both sides of the fuselage with the exception of the A3D-2P. It is likely that on them at least the third window going aft on the left side and the door on the right side were deleted during the redesign to reconfigure the aft end of the cabin as a small bomb bay. It's possible that provision for the aft window opening on each side of the fuselage was also deleted but an early Douglas access-panel drawing has it present.<br />
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Some have questioned why the versions were all built with the window provisions, some of which were then plugged. The answer is that metal airplane structure is made up of bits and pieces. Every one is created using patterns/dies (aka tools) to cut it to size, bend it to shape, drill holes in it, inspect it, etc. More tools (aka jigs) are used to combine parts into assemblies and so on. As a result, if the weight penalty is small enough, in order to minimize nonrecurring cost and to some extent take advantage of the learning curve and minimize investment in spare and repair parts inventory, etc, when an assembly is to be used for multiple applications, the lowest common denominator configuration is designed and then modified as required. There were other production control benefits as well,<br />
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Others have questioned that there were provisions for windows when none are apparent in photos of the airplane. The answer is that putty and primer obscure the presence of the frames and inserts, particularly if the pictures are not very high in resolution.<br />
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This is a picture of the left side of an EA-3B undergoing a major overhaul, stripped down to bare metal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFKgxESw1jKC4z78jDGfinC4hjdzaALJokJmxFx6MLfumZDCHzgKAkCXKgJSb7BUvdos4t5dgs_lNZx1lUvXa9sd5mB-tDcuuNSpCHp0i0TXnquXH9vhPbTqMwNXM5euQ7BhNix2vbbv_/s1600/EA-3B+Left+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFKgxESw1jKC4z78jDGfinC4hjdzaALJokJmxFx6MLfumZDCHzgKAkCXKgJSb7BUvdos4t5dgs_lNZx1lUvXa9sd5mB-tDcuuNSpCHp0i0TXnquXH9vhPbTqMwNXM5euQ7BhNix2vbbv_/s640/EA-3B+Left+Side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Angelo Romano</div>
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This is a picture of the right side of the fuselage of an ERA-3B. The outline of the window frame aft of the porthole is faint but definitely present on the original scan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y6ajYqmOIMj_0uzOTnR8GrW71ljwdp99_qpm8M-feMM42hCEeMHnrFSxUGR2g9umM2s9eqiZfgZCYQ9xM91cR9dlShXWS6su50qvZtndENn_5jUB9HewXRebl_cXDXlrr84lEoNvzIzl/s1600/ERA-3B+Right+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y6ajYqmOIMj_0uzOTnR8GrW71ljwdp99_qpm8M-feMM42hCEeMHnrFSxUGR2g9umM2s9eqiZfgZCYQ9xM91cR9dlShXWS6su50qvZtndENn_5jUB9HewXRebl_cXDXlrr84lEoNvzIzl/s640/ERA-3B+Right+Side.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rick Morgan</div>
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However, for any model in a scale less than full size (if then), the time to depict the presence of these frames could probably be best spent elsewhere. <br />
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<br />Tailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943383421550155293.post-73539874152249231752020-05-05T12:31:00.000-07:002020-05-05T12:31:01.608-07:00AD Skyraider Dive Angle Sight Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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