Question regarding C-47 pilots and their headgear

[FeuerFliegen]

I notice that sometimes the pilot and co-pilot in the C-47 will switch between their USAAF crush cap and an armored helmet.  What determines whether or not they wear the helmet?

 

The other day someone told me that it's when there is enemy ground fire or planes in the vicinity, which made sense as that's when I saw it, but then I went far into the frontlines and I noticed as I was approaching my friendly airfield to land, I looked over and noticed my co-pilot had his helmet on.  I can't say for sure, but I am 90% sure there were no enemies nearby.

 

So, anyone know?

[FeuerFliegen]

Couple other questions I figure I'd put here regarding the C-47 instead of making multiple posts...

Can anyone tell me if it has radio navigation?  and if so, where do I find it in the cockpit?

Regarding autopilot, I see the two dials near the ground in the center for yaw and roll control, but nothing for pitch; is there a dial that I can see that controls pitch?

 

What appears to be an intake vent above the engine has a cover on it; why is this?  The A-20, while a different engine, has a near identical looking intake vent, but it is open-

 

 

 

Here's the A-20:

 

And these three lights, it says "Alt. Limit Indicator" - How exactly does this work?  I see the lights switch back and fourth sometimes but I've never figured out how it actually works.

 

 

And in that same picture on the far left, what is the lever with the L on it, next to the two oil radiator levers?

 

 

Thanks for any answers you all can give me!

Edited September 20 by FeuerFliegen

[LukeFF]

6 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

Can anyone tell me if it has radio navigation?  and if so, where do I find it in the cockpit?

 

Yes, it's in front of the yoke.
 

6 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

Regarding autopilot, I see the two dials near the ground in the center for yaw and roll control, but nothing for pitch; is there a dial that I can see that controls pitch?

 

It's a three-axis autopilot controlling pitch, roll, and heading, all next to each other in the central part of the instrument panel.
 

6 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

What appears to be an intake vent above the engine has a cover on it; why is this?  The A-20, while a different engine, has a near identical looking intake vent, but it is open-

It's a dust filter of some sort.

 

6 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

And these three lights, it says "Alt. Limit Indicator" - How exactly does this work?  I see the lights switch back and fourth sometimes but I've never figured out how it actually works.

It's part of the radio altimeter. It's set automatically by the AI via a rotary dial directly above the magnetic compass. The light tells you whether you are at, above, or below the altitude set with the rotary dial. 
 

6 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

And in that same picture on the far left, what is the lever with the L on it, next to the two oil radiator levers?

Friction lock for the oil radiators IIRC.

[Plurp]

Can anyone tell me if it has radio navigation?  and if so, where do I find it in the cockpit?

 

Yes, it's in front of the yoke

 

Also you can add a runway localizer in the loadout screen that adds a gauge for runway lineup and glideslope.

[FeuerFliegen]

13 hours ago, LukeFF said:

It's a three-axis autopilot controlling pitch, roll, and heading, all next to each other in the central part of the instrument panel.

Right, I know that part, but in that central bottom part of the instrument panel, there are only controls/gauges for rudder and aileron control.  I don't see anything for pitch/elevator control.

 

 

 

Edit - nevermind, I realized those gauges were for trim.  I found the small knobs for the autopilot in the center of the cockpit.  Thanks!
 

Still wondering about this helmet thing though... any ideas?

 

 

Edited September 20 by FeuerFliegen

[AEthelraedUnraed]

On 9/19/2025 at 8:15 PM, Plurp said:

Also you can add a runway localizer in the loadout screen that adds a gauge for runway lineup and glideslope.

I think all I does is indicate the direction (horizontal and vertical) to the beacon, without regard for the runway orientation or actual glideslope. Or was this recently changed?

[Plurp]

8 hours ago, AEthelraedUnraed said:

I think all I does is indicate the direction (horizontal and vertical) to the beacon, without regard for the runway orientation or actual glideslope. Or was this recently changed?

You are correct.

Glideslope:  I made the assumption when it first came out and wrote it off as not working correctly.  Now with you providing the key answer, I can adapt to it.

 

Runway lineup:  Again you are correct.  I guess I preplan my flight automatically now and use the ndb to line up the runway, i.e. fly left or right of the ndb and then turn into final approach and did a bad job explaining it.