Originally Posted by
washoutt
Did the DC-3 also not had a lever for pumping up the u/g?
It did! As well as the flap and gear selector levers just to the left side of the co-pilots seat, and a gear lock lever on the floor between the pilot seats, there was also a standby hydraulic pump lever, again on the floor. It took considerable effort to operate.
If the use of the hydraulic pump lever was required, emergency or demonstration, we (a certain southern African military operator) found it less fatiguing if the non-flying pilot stood between the pilot seats, bent down and pulled the lever up, then pushed it back to the floor with a foot, bent down again and pulled the lever up etc etc, until the required job was done! Could be sweaty work on a hot day! 😉