USAAF Flight Instruments

[L2Driver]

My L-2M has an instrument panel from an earlier version installed (L-2B) and I'm hoping to replace it with a proper version for the -M. Unlike the earlier L-2A/B which used civil aviation gauges, the L-2M used military instruments (albeit very few -- there's a whopping 5 gauges in the panel!).

The full set includes the following:
C-14 Altimeter
B-8 Airspeed Indicator
B-16 Compass
C-11 Tachometer
B-7 Engine Gauge

I've found all of them except for the B-7 gauge which is a three-in-one combination gauge for oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel pressure. On the L-2, the fuel pressure isn't used and the outside of the glass gets painted over to blank it out.

Can anyone post a photo of the gauge and/or let me know what other aircraft these might have been used in? Other than a rough drawingm I don't even know what it looks like. Thanks

[Eric Friedebach]

Here’s one I have that’s only good as a core, but should give you an idea what they look like:

[L2Driver]

Thanks for posting the photo, Eric! Certainly helps. The drawing in the pilots notes is lacking in detail since it was only meant to convey the general layout of the panel.

[Dan K]

Hey Eric, the TBY project could use that very instrument (and a core is fine). Please pm if you'd be willing to sell.

[Eric Friedebach]

Dan, I wasn’t trying to sell it, but how about a something in Scott's Tip Jar in exchange for me shipping it to you?

Sure beats collecting dust on the shelf in the hangar, and I’d be proud to have it as part of your project!

[Dan K]

Sounds like a win-win-win (as long as you don't mind being the guy left with the warm, fuzzy feeling).

Let me know if I can send you something for shipping. Otherwise, beers on me at OSH.

Ps. Sent my snail mail address as a pm.