26.06.2008, 01:56
Pragmatically speaking, I'm sure any changes between the D-10 and D-22 cockpits are so minor that most people wouldn't know the difference. We're somewhat limited by the original 3-D models anyhow even when borrowing parts from other cockpits is a serviceable workaround.
For anybody who might be interested, here are some of my thoughts and findings on the cosmetic differences between the D-10 and D-22:
1. As was mentioned, the Hamilton-Standard propeller was introduced with the D-22 model. This probably would have created a very minor visible difference in that the Curtiss Electric propeller used until that time had controls on the main electrical panel near the pilot's left foot. (More specifically, the CE prop controls are located on the top right corner of the panel). I don't know what the D-22 configuration looked like, but later Hamilton-Standard equipped planes did not have any additional propeller controls other than the propeller lever on the throttle quadrant. Interestingly, in the later bubble-topped 'D' models the Curtiss Electric propeller controls were located on a box seperate from the main electrical panel. From what I can tell, all of the B, C and D models had the propeller lever on the throttle quadrant regardless of if they had a Curtiss Electric or a Hamilton Standard propeller.
* Verdict: not worth worrying about.
2. My original theory was that since stronger wings and pylons became a standard feature with the P-47D-15-RE, the D-10 model wouldn't have bomb/wing tank release levers. This, however, seems to be somewhat contradicted by the November, 1943 edition of the Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions:
" © WING TANKS.--To provide sufficient fuel for long range ferrying, some P-47D-5-RE and later airplanes may be equipped to use either 150 U.S. (125 Imperial) gallons or 300 U.S. (247 Imperial) gallons wing tanks. Hung from Standard Army type B-10 shackles just outboard of the landing-gear legs on each wing, the tanks may be released by an upward pull on the Army T-type control handle located on the left side of the cockpit afte of the main switchbox."
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about. I personally think that the D-22 should have specialized bomb arming and tank release handles at the pilot's left like on the later bubble-topped Thunderbolts but I can't prove this to be true.
3. Very minor fuel selector differences. AAF Training Manual 50-5 says:
"[Illustration] The fuel selector and the wing tank cocks on series from the D-5 to the D-15. Note the provision for a belly tank. To use, simply set the selector on BELLY TANK. When you desire to draw gas from a wing tank, set the main cock on BELLY TANK, and the secondary cock either to LEFT ON or RIGHT ON, depending on the tank wanted."
-- Main selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = MAIN ON / AUXILIARY ON / OFF / BELLY TANK.
-- Wing tank selector markings (bisectected equally) = WING LEFT ON / TANKS RIGHT ON.
"[Illustration] The fuel cocks from the D-15 on. To use the drop tanks, place the main selector on EXTERNAL TANKS, and the other cock to the tank desired."
-- Main selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = MAIN ON / AUXILIARY ON / OFF / EXTERNAL TANKS ON.
-- External tanks selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = blank / RIGHT WING ON / LEFT WING ON / blank. {The two blank areas might be conjoined to form a full hemisphere?}
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about since the fuel selectors are nonfunctional in the game.
4. A canopy eject lever was present on the D-22 but not on the D-10. This would have been located at the top of the sliding canopy where it meets the windscreen framing. From AAF 50-5:
"From the D=15 on, the canopy is jettisonable. To jettison it on series up to the D-25, pull down on the T-shaped handle in the upper center of the canopy above the canopy lock release latch."
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about.
5. Rocket Fire Control Box. Am I wrong in thinking that the current D-10 model doesn't have a rocket loadout while the D-22 model does? Either way, the inclusion of a rocket fire control box in the D-22 would be a nice touch...if one can be lifted from one of the other fighters. From AAF 50-5:
"A small fire control box in the cockpit enables you to fire the rockets individually or in train, with the projectiles leaving the tubes at intervals of 1/10 of a second." I can't find documentation of where this unit was mounted however. The earliest P-47N's appear to have had a similar unit located under the parking brake below the instrument panel.
* Verdict: Nice if it could be added but I'm currently unable to support with evidence.
6. Noted but inconclusive: Series starting with the P-47D-20-RA had improved heating in the cockpit, and the gun bays were heated through a ducted system instead of by an electrical unit. I have no idea how -- or if -- this affected cockpit arrangement.
* Verdict: Disregard.
For anybody who might be interested, here are some of my thoughts and findings on the cosmetic differences between the D-10 and D-22:
1. As was mentioned, the Hamilton-Standard propeller was introduced with the D-22 model. This probably would have created a very minor visible difference in that the Curtiss Electric propeller used until that time had controls on the main electrical panel near the pilot's left foot. (More specifically, the CE prop controls are located on the top right corner of the panel). I don't know what the D-22 configuration looked like, but later Hamilton-Standard equipped planes did not have any additional propeller controls other than the propeller lever on the throttle quadrant. Interestingly, in the later bubble-topped 'D' models the Curtiss Electric propeller controls were located on a box seperate from the main electrical panel. From what I can tell, all of the B, C and D models had the propeller lever on the throttle quadrant regardless of if they had a Curtiss Electric or a Hamilton Standard propeller.
* Verdict: not worth worrying about.
2. My original theory was that since stronger wings and pylons became a standard feature with the P-47D-15-RE, the D-10 model wouldn't have bomb/wing tank release levers. This, however, seems to be somewhat contradicted by the November, 1943 edition of the Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions:
" © WING TANKS.--To provide sufficient fuel for long range ferrying, some P-47D-5-RE and later airplanes may be equipped to use either 150 U.S. (125 Imperial) gallons or 300 U.S. (247 Imperial) gallons wing tanks. Hung from Standard Army type B-10 shackles just outboard of the landing-gear legs on each wing, the tanks may be released by an upward pull on the Army T-type control handle located on the left side of the cockpit afte of the main switchbox."
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about. I personally think that the D-22 should have specialized bomb arming and tank release handles at the pilot's left like on the later bubble-topped Thunderbolts but I can't prove this to be true.
3. Very minor fuel selector differences. AAF Training Manual 50-5 says:
"[Illustration] The fuel selector and the wing tank cocks on series from the D-5 to the D-15. Note the provision for a belly tank. To use, simply set the selector on BELLY TANK. When you desire to draw gas from a wing tank, set the main cock on BELLY TANK, and the secondary cock either to LEFT ON or RIGHT ON, depending on the tank wanted."
-- Main selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = MAIN ON / AUXILIARY ON / OFF / BELLY TANK.
-- Wing tank selector markings (bisectected equally) = WING LEFT ON / TANKS RIGHT ON.
"[Illustration] The fuel cocks from the D-15 on. To use the drop tanks, place the main selector on EXTERNAL TANKS, and the other cock to the tank desired."
-- Main selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = MAIN ON / AUXILIARY ON / OFF / EXTERNAL TANKS ON.
-- External tanks selector markings (quartered, clockwise from top) = blank / RIGHT WING ON / LEFT WING ON / blank. {The two blank areas might be conjoined to form a full hemisphere?}
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about since the fuel selectors are nonfunctional in the game.
4. A canopy eject lever was present on the D-22 but not on the D-10. This would have been located at the top of the sliding canopy where it meets the windscreen framing. From AAF 50-5:
"From the D=15 on, the canopy is jettisonable. To jettison it on series up to the D-25, pull down on the T-shaped handle in the upper center of the canopy above the canopy lock release latch."
* Verdict: Not worth worrying about.
5. Rocket Fire Control Box. Am I wrong in thinking that the current D-10 model doesn't have a rocket loadout while the D-22 model does? Either way, the inclusion of a rocket fire control box in the D-22 would be a nice touch...if one can be lifted from one of the other fighters. From AAF 50-5:
"A small fire control box in the cockpit enables you to fire the rockets individually or in train, with the projectiles leaving the tubes at intervals of 1/10 of a second." I can't find documentation of where this unit was mounted however. The earliest P-47N's appear to have had a similar unit located under the parking brake below the instrument panel.
* Verdict: Nice if it could be added but I'm currently unable to support with evidence.
6. Noted but inconclusive: Series starting with the P-47D-20-RA had improved heating in the cockpit, and the gun bays were heated through a ducted system instead of by an electrical unit. I have no idea how -- or if -- this affected cockpit arrangement.
* Verdict: Disregard.