PDA

View Full Version : Questions re Boeing 314 Clipper



PutPut
April 6th, 2014, 18:14
I have several photo's of the 314 cockpit which show the pilot and copilot have no engine control console. The only engine control console seems to be at the flight engineer station which is aft of the copilot. Is this really true? I cannot comprehend a pilot not having engine control (at least throttle) of a large heavy sea plane like this on takeoff and landing.
The central vertical stab was added last during the evolution of the tail assembly. The question is, does it have a rudder? I have one drawing that says yes and another drawing set that says no. The only tail plane close up I have seems to not show a rudder. Any insight into these questions would be appreciated.

Best, Paul

SeanTK
April 6th, 2014, 18:20
The pilot's controls were located next to the seats:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%201070.html

The above link is sourced from the below:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/huge-cockpit-is-bridge-of-giant-plane/

PutPut
April 6th, 2014, 18:30
Most interesting. Now I know why I can't find them in the other photo's I have. Thanks.

Paul

ViperPilot2
April 6th, 2014, 19:24
The photo I have and the article that accompanies it show the Pilot's controls to the left of his seat, and the Co-Pilot's to the right of his. The article describes how the controls were used primarily for maneuvering on the water. The Flight Engineer was responsible for the other phases of flight with regards to Power settings.

The article is a 2 parter from the November and December 1977 issues of Airpower Magazine. I guess the magazine went through a name change, because the cover of the December issue says "WINGS". There are many photos of early construction and testing, with both the single and double fin tail configurations before Boeing settled on the triple fin tail. Part 2 extensively covered the Clippers in service, with Pan Am, BOAC and the Military during WW II.