McPherson
Banned
Good stuff. Now I am even more unhappy about piping through that run.An interesting proposition--running a heating duct through the center section leading edge. There may just be enough room but I can't confirm that. I have a full P-38 construction manual and while it gives detailed build instructions for the outer wing (remember the screw count holding the OW leading edge on?) all it gives us the for the center section construction is the following paragraph [stress added]:
Paragraph c. goes into the Outer Wing Assembly immediately after this.
I cannot find any good information about that space before the front shear beam anywhere but there are indications of some of what is being run through there including the Push/Pull control cable for the cockpit heating duct butterfly valve:
View attachment 628007
and hydraulics for the Main Gear and coolant system:
View attachment 628009
...and fuel lines (to the main fuel valves and cross suction valve):
View attachment 628010
What I was really hoping to find was a view of the internal structure of that removable leading edge assembly. I suspect the internal ribs are constructed similarly to those of the outer wing with a main "D" shaped support at the front, albeit with small openings in it for weight savings.
Still, even if we only consider the few systems shown above (and there are others, but I didn't want to completely spam the post) I am doubtful there was enough space in the existing P-38 wing to accommodate another heater duct from the engine nacelle directly to the cockpit there. Of course, there may always be the option of moving all of this (or at least the fuel and hydraulic lines) the main spar where the existing heat duct is and then putting the heat duct forward but that may open maintenance/access issues to these critical supply lines--which is why I am pretty sure they are up front to begin with.
Just wanted to pipe in with my $0.02.