Bombardier amid Instruments in nose of B-29

The bombardier’s control and instrument panel in early bomber aircraft played a crucial role in managing the release of bombs and monitoring key flight parameters. Located on the port side of the fuselage, forward of the pilot’s rudder pedal stand, the bombardier’s panel was an essential hub for the precise control of bomb deployment and related tasks.

Key Components of the Bombardier’s Instrument Panel:

Altimeter: Measures altitude.
Compass (Remote Reading): Provides directional orientation.
Air Speed Indicator: Displays the aircraft’s speed.
Clock: Used for timing and coordination during bombing runs.
Bomb Interval Control: Sets the time interval between bomb releases.
Panel Light: Illuminates the panel for visibility.
Bomb Door Lamp: Indicates the status of the bomb bay doors.
Bomb Group Selector Switch: Allows the bombardier to select which bombs or bomb groups will be released.
Fluorescent Lamp Switch: Controls lighting in the compartment.
Camera Switch: Operates the camera system for mission documentation.

Bomb Control Mechanisms:

The bombardier was equipped with several controls to ensure the precise release of bombs:

Bomb Door Control Lever: Operates the electric motors that open and close the bomb bay doors.
Bomb Release Lever: Used to unlock the bomb racks for electrical release in the selective mode. In an emergency, the bombs could be released manually through an emergency release and rewind wheel.
Emergency Bomb Release: A backup mechanism for releasing bombs manually, independent of the electrical system.

The bomb release lever had several settings:

LOCK Position: Prevents bomb release unless the emergency system is activated.
SELECTIVE Position: Unlocks the bomb racks for electrical release.
SALVO Position: Allowed for the immediate release of all bombs in a salvo but was disabled in the selective mode to prevent accidental mass releases.

In later aircraft models, an all-electric bomb control system replaced earlier mechanical controls. This system simplified the process by incorporating everything onto a single panel, with preselected options for bomb deployment. The bomb release switch was now attached to a flexible cord, stowed in a clip, and could be used more freely by the bombardier.

Bomb Bay Door Operation:

The pneumatic snap-action doors were controlled via a toggle switch on the panel. The doors would snap open or closed instantly based on the switch’s position.

Camera System:

To document bombing missions, bombers were equipped with a camera system, typically operated remotely by the bombardier. The system included:

Camera Receptacles: Located in the camera well at the rear of the unpressurized section of the fuselage.
Camera Power Shield: Provided power for the cameras through a fuse connected to the battery solenoid.
Remote Camera Control: Operated by a toggle switch on the bombardier’s panel, the camera could be set to capture images at specific intervals through the intervalometer, ensuring that pictures were taken at predetermined times during the bomb release.

The intervalometer could be connected to the camera system using a three-contact receptacle, with extra wiring provided for compatibility with British camera equipment. An additional orientation receptacle allowed for precise control over the camera’s operation, ensuring that documentation was synchronized with the bomb release.

This combination of control mechanisms allowed the bombardier to manage bombing runs with precision while also documenting the process, ensuring both accuracy and accountability in combat missions.