SBD Dauntless cockpit questions

[JDK]

Just trying to track down a couple of odd items in the cockpit of the SBD Dauntless. I have something on the throttle box labelled 'Blower control', next to the Throttle & Mixture. Is that the correct term? I guess it's a 'I don't speak American' item, but I want to be sure.

We also have something marked 'Headrest release' which is down next the floor on the pilot's right. Why would you have a 'headrest release' and if not; what is it really?

Many thanks in advance.

[RMAllnutt]

The Blower control would be for the supercharger. The headrest release would be to lower the headrest to get at the aft compartment, though quite why that would be necessary is a mystery to me. Which Dauntless are you looking at by the way?

Cheers,
Richard

[JDK]

Thanks Richard - It's a keyed version of the original pilot's manual. Those two items just didn't make sense / seem familiar to me, but you've answered both, thanks.

[Steve Nelson]

I don't mean to start an argument, but I don't think it's possible to lower the pilot's headrest in the SBD (at least not in the -3.) The headrest is bolted to a slab of armor plate, which is bolted to a rigid rollover structure.

Here's a shot of SBD-3 BuNo 06624 at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.

SN

[JDK]

I don't mean to start an argument, but I don't think it's possible to lower the pilot's headrest in the SBD (at least not in the -3.) The headrest is bolted to a slab of armor plate, which is bolted to a rigid rollover structure.

No argument Steve, much appreciated input. I have to ask, if that bolt arrangement's original, how did they raise the lifting strop (cable) out between the parts? (Sounds like one of those puzzle toys...)

[skymstr02]

This is also the same arrangement that is on the A-24.

The lifting cable has a forked end on each end of the cable where it has a bolt run thru it to the lug that is riveted to the frame. Remove one bolt and unthread the cable from behind the armor. It is threaded for storage when not needed.

[51fixer]

Just trying to track down a couple of odd items in the cockpit of the SBD Dauntless. I have something on the throttle box labelled 'Blower control', next to the Throttle & Mixture. Is that the correct term? I guess it's a 'I don't speak American' item, but I want to be sure.

We also have something marked 'Headrest release' which is down next the floor on the pilot's right. Why would you have a 'headrest release' and if not; what is it really?

Many thanks in advance.

Is that Headrest Release or Harness Release?

[Larry Kraus]

I just checked my flight manual for the SBD-3 and it definitely has a control for the Pilot's Headrest Release.The instructions for use are a bit vauge,but I'll post them:

"The Pilot's Headrest Release (Item 1,Page 33) adjusts the pilot's headrest for use in catapult take-offs.It may be returned to the stowed position by operating the release after take-off.No headrest is provided for the gunner.He should be cautioned to face forward,with chin down and well balanced during catapult take-offs."

For what its worth,the picture showing the headrest does not have armor plate installed.The headrest is attached to the A Frame roll over structure and appears to have a thin cable attached to the back of the headrest and stretching downward toward the starboard side of the pilot's seat,which is where the headrest release control is located.

The "Blower Control" is the control for shifting the ratios of the two speed mechanical supercharger.Under the heading "Supercharger Control" on Page 21:

"The engine is equipped with a two-speed supercharger.Normally,the low supercharger speed shall be used at all times.The high supercharger speed may be used above 10,500 feet altitude to obtain maximum airplane speeds and rates of climb.The high supercharger speed shall not be used for cruising at altitudes at which cruising power is available in the low supercharger speed,as fuel economy is inferior to that of the low supercharger speed operation and the tendency to detonate is greater.70% rated power is maintained to approximately 12,000 feet in low speed supercharger."

The instructions for supercharger control continue for another page,but this should be more than enough to answer the question.

[JDK]

Hi Larry, many thanks for that, much appreciated. The catapult take-off explains the rationale for needing the control, which, like 51fixer posted, I had suspicions was a harness release.