http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/media/062/B-36J%20Engineer.html
That is a lot of gauges.
That's because you can't have too many gauges.
That is enough gauges that i could fit out 2 or even 3 model T's if i was frugal enough with them.
Gary;;; It's a military aircraft, and a bomber. 6 reciprocating engines. That points to Pratt & Whitney 4360s. That means it's a Convair B-36 Peacemaker.
For quite a while it held the distance record for a non refueled flight. From some where in Australia to Wash. DC.
That's my rememberance!
Jim Weir
What's great about that link is when you push the arrow at the bottom of the screen it rotates so you can see the entire cockpit.
My T has two more gages then that photo.
And I'll bet you have a Bridge to sell ! :<)
Well now that you mention it Dave, I could give you a good deal on it. The bridge has only been driven on by little old ladies on Sundays!
Yup Jim it's a B-36 and an early one at that. I don't see any gauges for the 4 jet engines on the later models?
It's hard to grasp what a monster this thing was until you're looking at one face to face (Maximum weight 358,000 lbs). There was one at Chanute Air Force Base in Ill. when I was stationed there in 1965. I don't know if it's still there now that Chanute is closed.
Scenes from the movie 'Strategic Air Command'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruE8yhkHke8
This is an interesting comment.
"The B-36 was not a particularly enjoyable aircraft to fly. Its overall performance, in terms of speed and maneuverability, was never considered sprightly. Lieutenant General James Edmundson likened it to "...sitting on your front porch and flying your house around".
A Model T has 4 spark plugs. A B-36 had 336 of them! All prone to fouling on the highly leaded fuel it needed.
Seats look comfy....
In 1947 we lived in a garage apartment in Ridglea near the Carswell runway. They really rattled the house when they flew over. I don't think it would be easy to monitor that monster group of gauges. Certainly the anti-thesis of the Model T simplicity.
Dennis, Ted;;; Back in the early '50s I took my Class A outboard hydro to the swamps below Suisun Calif, to run the flying start mile. When we were standing on the levees and those monsters took off from Travis Airfield, The levees would shake and the water would rise thru to the surface. That's 26160 cubic inches. That is the displacement of 148 'T' engines. Awesome!
Jim Weir