J.McEachen wrote:
And on the 'grandaddy' of them all, the A3D/A-3 Skywarrior of 1952, the
B/N also sat about 9" to the rear of the pilot, but on the same level in
a larger, 'house' cockpit. Although there was 12" between the seats and
a center console with throttles and many other switches in there (entry
was from the center lower hatch,) the prime reason for the offset was
the removeable and substantial size ASB-1A bombing computer which filled
the space to the pressure bulkhead and was connected to an optical
periscope through the bottom of the a/c.

There was a similar issue with the A-6A. It had an avionics fit in
which the radar and navigation equipment were coupled to a computer.
The system was called DIANE, for Digital integrated Attack/Navigation
Equipment. The computer used a rotating drum memory. This was a rather
bulky affair, protruding into the cockpit. It basically sat between the
B/N's legs.

The B/N's left view was also
obscured as the gunner/navigator sat behind the pilot, rear facing. His
panel for the rear gun radar was replaced with ECM gear in 1962, the
rear 20mm guns and radome were replaced with the "duck-tail" ECM antenna
fairing. I'd say we all had good visibility, and we landed with the
upper hatch open.

I can imagine the fact that the crew didn't have ejection seats would
help make the cockpit seem pretty roomy ;-)



Joel McEachen VAH-5


Cheers,
Ralph