Need Help To Identify this Gauge

[Milton Shupe]

For the Beechcraft AT-11 under construction, this gauge is not recognizable to us ... can you identify it? ... and the writing above it?

[PRB]

The MAAM B-25 manual says that is a PDI (Pilot Direction Indicator). It's under the control of the bombadier during the final bomb run, telling the pilot which way to go. Unlike the B-17, where the bomb aimer actually steers the ship, in the B-25, the bomb aimer tells the pilot "where to go" through that gauge. In the MAAM B-25, since we can't drop bombs, they made that gauge an ADF direction indicator! The page from the book is a B-26 manual (Marauder). No idea what the placard says.

[Milton Shupe]

Ahhhhh, excellent PRB :jump: :applause: :medals: Just what we needed. :wavey:

[Milton Shupe]

And, since you are looking, and maybe wondering, we started with the D18S and are progressing to the AT-11. Much more work than I thought as most of the aircraft has been redone. Scott is doing an all new panel for it and mapping for textures is all new.

[OBIO]

It was probably easier to convert a real D-18 into a real AT-11 than what you guys have gone through in taking the D-18 and turning it into an AT-11.

OBIO

[Willy]

Milton and "Virtual Beechcraft" are doing an excellent job with the AT-11.

[TARPSBird]

The info placard probably has a caution similar to the last paragraph in Paul's PDI data page attachment. :)

[Milton Shupe]

It was probably easier to convert a real D-18 into a real AT-11 than what you guys have gone through in taking the D-18 and turning it into an AT-11.

OBIO

LOL May be OBIO. I must have 300 hours in this easy and still much to do. We were fortunate to hook up with the gentleman (Taigh, who owns the twinbeech.com site and the refurb business) who provided lots of reference pics and information. Scott is on the new panel and gauges and Damian is grinding out bare metal textures.

Taigh did not hesitate to point out the major differences in wing roots and nacelles and gear not to mention the obvious, turret and nose areas and spinners, the bombay doors, bombadier hatch and all the goodies from the nose to the rear machine gunners hatch.

[srgalahad]

The Martin B-26 modelfor FS9 has a PDI as well..I can't remember (and don't have FS on this old laptop to check) but IIRC has a placard that's readable. There may even be a note in the files about it's use.

Rob

[Bomber_12th]

Excellent work on this project, I am really looking forward to the end result! Taigh is definitely the go-to-guy for anything Beech 18 related.

Here are some photos I took of what I believe is considered the best example of a complete AT-11 still flying, by far, which I saw at Oshkosh back in '05. I'm sure you and the team are quite familiar with it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010124.jpg

The 'blue-grey' colored items in the middle at left, are the practice bombs, as you have modeled, secured to the bomb racks.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010128.jpg

Note all of the accessories, including the oxygen mask hanging near the bombsight.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010125.jpg

[Cazzie]

:applause::applause::applause: Milton and all.

Caz

[Milton Shupe]

Excellent work on this project, I am really looking forward to the end result! Taigh is definitely the go-to-guy for anything Beech 18 related.

Here are some photos I took of what I believe is considered the best example of a complete AT-11 still flying, by far, which I saw at Oshkosh back in '05. I'm sure you and the team are quite familiar with it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010124.jpg

The 'blue-grey' colored items in the middle at left, are the practice bombs, as you have modeled, secured to the bomb racks.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010128.jpg

Note all of the accessories, including the oxygen mask hanging near the bombsight.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/P1010125.jpg

Hello John :wavey: You bet; Taigh has been great providing excellent information, reference pictures, and details with more yet to come. He will also be buying FS to help test this creation. :)

Interestingly, there are a lot of AT-11's out there that have "evolved" from the true base unit as manufactured so I have had some changes to make, thanks to Taigh's keen eyes. But we hope the finished product will be as close to original as my capabilities and FS9's poly limits allow. :)

I appreciate the pictures, the interest, and everyones encouragement. :applause:

Here are a few interior shots of the real McCoy.

[Cees Donker]

That's looking real good Milton!
:jump:
Cees

[Milton Shupe]

The Martin B-26 modelfor FS9 has a PDI as well..I can't remember (and don't have FS on this old laptop to check) but IIRC has a placard that's readable. There may even be a note in the files about it's use.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Yes, I have since received detailed information from Taigh on all the gauges, placards, and the PDI. :jump:

I appreciate your help and interest.