Flight-Engineer on a USAF Convair B-36B

[Subdeacon Joe]

Surrounded by a bewildering array of switches, dials and levers, a Flight-Engineer on a USAF Convair B-36B Peacemaker sits at his station - 1949

Note the packet of 'smokes' within easy reach on his desk! 

Original Caption by the late Ian Phillips

LIFE Magazine Archives - Joe Schershel Photographer

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Also note the Ubiquitous "Screw Driver" position'd next to the power quadrant.  Screwdriver, "Never Leave Home Without It"

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]

And kids these days think they are so smart playing video games.
Put them in this seat and pants will need changing.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Enlisted rank insignia changed to the current designs in the early to mid 50s.

[Stump Water]

In 1949 a pack of smokes was within easy reach of every man.

 

What are the levers for?

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Stump Water said:

What are the levers for?

 

The 6 black levers control the mixture and the 6 light colored ones control the throttles for the 6 radial prop engines. A second set of throttles is located in the of the center console. Both sets are slaved to each other.

all the gages let the flight engineer monitor the 6 radial engines along with the hydraulic system, Electrical system, and fuel system. As near as I can tell the Flight Engineer doesn't have any gages or controls for the 4 jet engines.

 

The throttle controls for the 4 jet engines are located in the overhead above the center console. All the controls and gages for the Jet engines are located between the pilot and copilot.

 

The jet engines were only used for takeoff and when an extra boot of speed was needed. The six R-4360 radial engines were used all the time as they were considerably more fuel efficient than the four J-47 turbojets.

 

[Dr. Zook]

Love these birds --- 6 turning and 4 burning...  

 

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Dr. Zook said:

Love these birds --- 6 turning and 4 burning...  

 

 

Two turning,  Four burning,  Two smoking,  Two unaccounted for. 

[Trailrider #896]

"Strategic Air Command", starring Jimmy Stewart, June Allyson and Frank Lovejoy as "General Hawks" (aka Ol' Iron A$$".  Beautiful aerial photography!

Airman to "Col. Dutch Holland": "Colonel, the general's cigar. Does he want that airplane to burn?" Dutch Holland: "It wouldn't dare!" (An old story about Lemay. Probably appocraphil, but often told!"