B-25 bailout bell

[wheelsup_cavu]

What type of alarm bell was used for the bailout procedure on a B-25?
I would like to know the Part number and see a picture of one if possible.

Are there any videos with sound of it being tested or sounds of it that can be downloaded?

For the bailout was there a specific set of instructions that was supposed to be used by the pilot?


Quoted from page 140 of the B-25 pilot manual at the Internet Archive: Pilot Training Manual For The Mitchell Bomber, B-25 : U.S. Army Air Forces. Office of Flying Safety : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Procedure
When you decide that the ship must be abandoned, give the alarm by interphone and alarm bell, at which time the engineer and rear gunner release the emergency doors.

The first warning informs the crew that they must prepare to bail out.

The second warning is an order to the crew to jump. As each crew member gets ready to leave the plane, he advises you by interphone that he is leaving.

How To Jump

1. Face rear of ship and place hands on structure above rear of hatch.
2. Lower legs through opening. The slipstream will carry your legs up against the underpart of the fuselage. Twist your shoulder to the left to prevent injury to the head on the way out. Push away from the plane with your hands.
3. When you are sure that you are clear of the plane, look directly at the ripcord release and take hold of the handle.
4. Straighten your legs, keeping your feet together, and pull the release. In a low-altitude jump, pull the release as soon as possible.

For further information on bailout technique consult your Pilot's Information File.

The order in which the crew leaves the plane is as follows:
Forward Hatch:

1. Engineer
2. Bombardier-navigator
3. Copilot
4. Pilot

Rear Hatch:

1. Gunner
2. Radio operator

If you have had a hydraulic failure, be sure that the bomb bay doors are not partially open when you jump. These doors fall open 2/3 of the way when the hydraulic system loses its pressure.

Procedure for Reclosing Bomb Bay Doors

1. Open inner door—this door will not open with the bomb bay door crank installed.
2. Install crank on coupling.
3. Close doors and fasten crank to floor.
4. Complete bailout procedure.

Thanks in advance for any information.


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[Reegor]

I only have info on your third question. "For the bailout was there a specific set of instructions that was supposed to be used by the pilot?"
Almost all USAF aircraft had a subsection on bailing out, in the emergency section of the manual (typically section IV). However I'm looking at AN 01 -60GB-1, Revised 15 July 1944, and there is nothing about bailing out, although there is a long section about ditching. Similarly for one dated Nov. 1, 1942. Similarly for 1943 version.
Each of these has one paragraph and a 3-color diagram showing emergency exits.
I also have a TB-25K manual from 1957. It has more on the subject, including topics such as how to jump out.
By comparison, a B-24 manual from January 45 has more specifics, such as which door each crewman should bail out of, and specific duties before jumping.

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

Thanks for the reply Reegor.


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