Restored Avenger and Trip information

[PbyCat-Guy]

First question:
While working on a TBM to be restored to airworthy and having to take out the rudder pedals and instrument panels, I had to trace some wiring that went to the section behind the pilot area. I noticed that the bar that connects to the stick up front. It looks like it could be set up for dual controls. Any Avengers out there set up for dual controls? What sort of set up do current Avengers have in this section? Just forward of the ball turret.

Second Question:
I'm going to Colombia on Friday to visit a girl that I meet a few months back while she was here. I'll be in Bogota, Baranquilla/Santa Marta, and Medellin. Any thing as far as Aviation related highlights to see?

[A2C]

Be careful over there!

[Jerry O'Neill]

That may be connections for the auto pilot, which I believe was in the section behind the pilot forward of the turret. It looks like dual controls were there originally, but they never were. I don't know if any Avengers ot there have dual controls.
Jerry

[Brad]

That is the connection for the auto pilot. I don't think any TBMs were built with dual controls but the one we owned had a stick attached to the rod you are talking about. It was very much a home made deal. I think Hank Avery had the same sort of set up, along with an instrument panel. I do know that a one point we looked at putting full dual controls in a TBM based on the set up there was used in most dual control (non TF) Mustangs. The owner sold the airplane on to Australia and that's where the plan stopped.

There is some stuff to be seen in Colombia but the majority of it is on the military side of most airfields I've been to. Here are some pictures I posted from a trip a while back.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... highlight=

As has been stated before, watch your step down there. It can be a very dangerous place. On the other hand, the women are beautiful!

[Oscar Duck]

My old TBM s/n 91110 had a functioning stick in the second seat. The A-20 had similar. I believe that the idea was that the ship could at least be sterred from there to somewhere "safer" for a bailout etc in the event of pilot incapacitation.

[Tulio]

Second Question:
I'm going to Colombia on Friday to visit a girl that I meet a few months back while she was here. I'll be in Bogota, Baranquilla/Santa Marta, and Medellin. Any thing as far as Aviation related highlights to see?

Here's a little information for you:


Keep in mind, that there being ongoing combat operations in Colombia, access to a military base has restrictions in place.

You need to obtain permission in advance, to visit the Colombian AF Museum [Museo Aeroespacial Colombiano - MAECO].

The museum is located at the Base Aerea "Brigadier General Camilo Daza" at the Comando de Transporte Militar - CATAM- in Bogota.

Video cameras are prohibited, while photo cameras can be used, but you must follow the restrictions.

No bags, backpacks, food or drinks are allowed inside the base.

Contact:

museo.secretaria@fac.mil.co-museo.personal@fac.mil.co

Visits and information program: 413-9394
Director: 439-7800 extension 2066

You must fill the form you'll find here:

http://www.fac.mil.co/?idcategoria=34441

**********

Museo Nacional de Transporte de Colombia:

http://www.museodetransporte.org/

Located at the Cali airport.
There is an entry fee.

**********


Museo Militar de Colombia:

http://www.museomilitar.com/cms/Default.asp?Page=185

Free admission.

For information: 281-3086
fax: 281-3131
M-F 0800 to 1530
Sat: 0800 to 1230 noon
Sun:0800 to 1230 noon


Saludos,


Tulio

[Holedigger]

Steer from the back seat perhaps, I can't see a landing happening from there, it is bad enough from the front seat!

[Matt Gunsch]

as the others have said, it is for the auto pilot. No TBMs were built with dual controls.

[PbyCat-Guy]

I heard that the extra stick was in case the pilot needed a break from the long flights during the war. It's former job was that of a fire bomber in Canada. There's room for the stick and a seat, but some hydraulic lines block the room for the pedals.

I think I'll be more concerned about spending time with my girl there. She wants to get a dog. I'll see if she wants to go see something aviation related.

[Matt Gunsch]

I heard that the extra stick was in case the pilot needed a break from the long flights during the war. It's former job was that of a fire bomber in Canada. There's room for the stick and a seat, but some hydraulic lines block the room for the pedals.

There was no seat installed, and no controls installed for pilots relief, that is why it had a auto pilot. most TBMs after the war had the autopilot removed because it was such a complex system, and in place a seat was installed,but it was not done by Grumman. The photo I posted is of the auto pilot install in the TBM.

[Dan K]

Second Question:
I'm going to Colombia on Friday to visit a girl that I meet a few months back while she was here. I'll be in Bogota, Baranquilla/Santa Marta, and Medellin. Any thing as far as Aviation related highlights to see?

Here's a little information for you:


Keep in mind, that there being ongoing combat operations in Colombia, access to a military base has restrictions in place.

You need to obtain permission in advance, to visit the Colombian AF Museum [Museo Aeroespacial Colombiano - MAECO].

The museum is located at the Base Aerea "Brigadier General Camilo Daza" at the Comando de Transporte Militar - CATAM- in Bogota.

Video cameras are prohibited, while photo cameras can be used, but you must follow the restrictions.

No bags, backpacks, food or drinks are allowed inside the base.

Contact:

museo.secretaria@fac.mil.co-museo.personal@fac.mil.co

Visits and information program: 413-9394
Director: 439-7800 extension 2066

You must fill the form you'll find here:

http://www.fac.mil.co/?idcategoria=34441

**********

Museo Nacional de Transporte de Colombia:

http://www.museodetransporte.org/

Located at the Cali airport.
There is an entry fee.

**********


Museo Militar de Colombia:

http://www.museomilitar.com/cms/Default.asp?Page=185

Free admission.

For information: 281-3086
fax: 281-3131
M-F 0800 to 1530
Sat: 0800 to 1230 noon
Sun:0800 to 1230 noon


Saludos,


Tulio

Brother Tulio, forgive me for being so absent-minded with my Latin American air forces history. Time has not been kind to my long-term memory.

Was it the Colombian Air Force that allegedly disposed of multiple P-47's by dumping them in the river that borders the airbase?

[Tulio]

No problem, I am more absent than present minded nowadays

Yes, it was Colombia.

The River is the Magdalena.


Saludos,


Tulio

[PbyCat-Guy]

I'll be going somewhere on the River Magdalena, I'll see if some are still there.
Thanks for the info, and I'll take some photos.

[Warbird Kid]

Please do! We need to discover more Thunderbolts! Fresh water im presuming?

[avenger2504]

The early TBFs had dual controls and the TBF-1 in our Air Force Museum has the position for the stick. I think only a few early had rudder pedals but then they were deleted as unnecessary.