ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS IN EMERGENCY
(B-17G)
Left front system out: Navigator on walk-around bottle plugged into Bombardier's recharger hose. Pilot uses Engineer's regulator hose from right front system. Right front system out: Bombardier on walk-around bottle plugged into Navigator's recharger hose. Engineer same on Pilot's recharger hose. Copilot on top turret regulator hose (hose too short in later models). Left rear system out: RO on one regulator from across aisle. ARO on regulator right radio compartment. AE on walk-around bottle on recharger hose, right radio compartment. AG on waist regulator, right. AG on tail regulator, right. Right rear system out: RO regular position. ARO on bomb bay regulator. AE on walk-around bottle plugged to ball turret recharger hose. AG on waist regulator, left. AG on tail regulator, left.
Like the B-17, the B-24 is equipped with a low pressure oxygen system. Location of the cylinders and distribution of the lines, however, is entirely different. The oxygen system varies somewhat in the different model ships and in individual ships. In the B-24 D (beginning with Serial No. 42-40218) to the B-24 H, however, the system is essentially as described below. Some of the minor variations will be noted, including changes to the supply for the nose positions in late T models. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE OXYGEN SYSTEM IN YOUR OWN SHIP.
OXYGEN CYLINDERS:
There are 22 type G-1 cylinders arranged in eight systems (see diagram on page 47B). Sixteen cylinders are banked above the bomb-bay. The remaining six are buried in the floor of the rear fuselage compartment. There are also two smaller (type D2) cylinders attached to the chair of the top-turret gunner. These are not connected to the main system but must be charged from a portable recharger line. The main system is charged from a single filler valve located in the left side of the bomb bay. Each G-1 cylinder, when charged to 450 pounds per square inch, contains 30 cubic feet of oxygen, and will last one man approximately 5 hours between 20,000 and 30,000 feet (Auto-Mix "on").
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS:
The systems differ radically from those of the B-17. In models up through H to early J each individual draws from at least two or three cylinders. With the exception of the nose positions there is a maximum of two men on the same system. As shown in the diagramatic sketch (page 47B), the pilot, co-pilot, side gunners, and tail gunner each have their own individual system of at least two G-1 bottles.
In the G, H and early J series the three regulators in the nose are supplied by a single system containing only three oxygen cylinders. (diagram page 47B). This is inadequate. The later J models have a modified system to the nose wherein the bomb bay - radio operator system is Tee'd into the supply to the nose positions. This brings to a total of six oxygen cylinders for the five stations. (diagram page 47A). Since the regulators at the radio operator and bomb bay stations are not used continuously during combat missions, this modification to the nose positions is adequate. Further, the connections in the lines leading to the nose are such that the nose positions are supplied individually as well as collectively so that loss of the supply to one system does not necessarily deplete the other systems. KNOW THE OXYGEN SYSTEM IN YOUR SHIP.
The bottom turret and camera tunnel regulators are supplied by the same system containing three cylinders.