Looking for picture of B17 flap/gear switch mods
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Looking for picture of B17 flap/gear switch mods
Wonder if anyone could help - I am trying to find an image of the modifications made to the wing flap/gear switches following the WWII research by Alphonse Chapanis into preventing inadvertent gear up selection after landing.
I have found several images of the original switches:
The B-17F. Control panel and pedestal.
but none showing the wheel and flap shaped 'toppers' that helped prevent inadvertent selection and led to the convention of shaping the levers on most commercial aircraft to this day!
Would be most grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction...
I have found several images of the original switches:
The B-17F. Control panel and pedestal.
but none showing the wheel and flap shaped 'toppers' that helped prevent inadvertent selection and led to the convention of shaping the levers on most commercial aircraft to this day!
Would be most grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction...
Just a thought, but were the B-17s even modified? It is well known that incidents on (amongst others) this type led to the mentioned research and lever/knob shapes but it would not surprise me if the results only showed up on later types. By the time the defined shapes were becoming known, the B-17 must have been nearing the end of its service life (even though it soldiered on in many places) and a modification of this sort was perhaps deemed unnecessary?
I've looked at a photo of a restored (still flying) example and the only modification is a small cover or guard over the gear switch.
I've looked at a photo of a restored (still flying) example and the only modification is a small cover or guard over the gear switch.