The first step in identifying the warbird parts and information you need
The manual series titled “Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment” is one of the most overlooked, and invaluable research and identification tools for warbird parts and accessories. The series consists of seven different manuals, each focusing on a specific topic:
Turbosuperchargers, Regulators, Pumps, and Pump Accessories
If you’ve ever been frustrated by the fact that the Army, Navy, and wartime manufacturer all had different designation for parts and components, then these are the documents that you need! Each manual is broken down into sections - take the Landing Gear index as an example. This document is broken down into: Brake Assemblies, Wheel Assemblies, Casings, and Tubes - effectively covering all aspects of aircraft landing gear. Each section provides images of a specific component, along with information such as manufacturer name and part number, Army-Navy part numbers, Tech Order and AN document numbers to reference, characteristics of that part such as weight and dimensions, what assemblies that part was used with, and even British reference numbers. Additionally, there is often a section that references the Navy ASO (Aviation Supply Office) stock number - also known as the F.S.S.C. Stock Number.
Another huge benefit to the Landing Gear edition, is that at the end of each section there is a chart that lists the model number and the corresponding Army/Navy aircraft that it was installed on! Making the connection between component and aircraft is a topic that I come back to again and again, and often this information is not included in the overhaul or parts catalog for a specific component. These charts make the Aeronautical Indexes an even more important reference tool, and on its own can answer about 50% of the Landing Gear questions that I receive on a weekly basis!
Looking closely at the examples below for Extra High Pressure Wheel Assemblies, you can see that Hayes wheel model D-3-292-1 was interchangeable with Firestone model JO-200M-1 and JO-200-1 and they were used on the P-51A, B, C, and D. While Firestone model JO-200FM was interchangeable with Goodyear 511350 and Hayes D-3-275X-1, and these could be used on the P-51H, AT-17, TBM-1, F4U-1, and more!
With the many differences in the part, model, and type designations of a single component, it’s easy to understand why the Army-Navy Aeronautical Index series was created. With all this information in a single location, these manuals are often my first stop when I get questions related to identifying a part, or finding the relevant service and overhaul manual, or parts catalog. Working in the warbird realm, it’s easy to become frustrated when trying to find conversion information, or trying to determine/prove that a component has a modern equivalent. Using the Aeronautical Index series can often answer these questions outright, or at the very least, point you in the right direction.
Below, you will find a list of the topics included in each edition of the Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment, just to give an idea of the extensive information they contain! If you’re interested in adding one or all of these documents to your shelf, just click the title of any of the seven editions to be taken to the purchase download page!
Landing Gear Section (T.O. 03-25-10)
Brake Assemblies
Wheel Assemblies
Casings
Tubes
Instruments Section (T.O. 05-1-67)
Instrument Lighting (Dial Markings, Fittings, Electrical Remote Indicating Instruments)
Engine Gage Units
Fuel Mixture Indicators
Pressure Gages
Manifold Pressure Gages
Fuel Pressure Warning Signals
Wheel and Flap Position Indicators
Tachometers
Thermometers
Ammeters and Voltmeters
Airspeed indicators
Airspeed Tubes
Altimeters
Rate of Climb Indicators
Power Venturi Tubes
Automatic Pilots and Components
Servos and Accessories
Air Filters
Directional Gyro Indicators
Gyro Horizon Indicators
Turn and Bank Indicators
Astrograph, Clocks, Astro Compass
Direct Reading Magnetic Compasses
Remote Indicating Magnetic Compasses
Miscellaneous Instruments
Electrical Equipment Section (T.O. 03-5-69)
Storage Batteries
Adapters
Generator
Generator Controls
Starters
Solenoids
Coils
Lamps
Light Assemblies
Inverters
Heaters
Auxiliary Power Plants
Turbosupercharger Regulators
Signals
Switches and Sockets
Motors
Miscellaneous Section (T.O. 03-1-46)
Fire Extinguishers
Tool Kits
Life Rafts
Drop Tanks
Personal Equipment
Aerial Towing and Gliders
Armament Section (T.O. 11-1-64)
Gun Mount Adapters and Accessories
Gun Chargers and Feed Units
Gun Mounts
Gun Sights
Gun Synchronizers
Gun Solenoids
Switches
Machine Gun Turrets and Fire Control Systems
Bomb Arming and Bomb Release Interval Controls
Torpedo Directors
Bomb Release Handles
Bomb Hoists
Automatic Pilot
Bomb Racks and Bomb Hoist Slings
Automatic Guns and Adapters
Aircraft Machine Guns and Accessories
Pyrotechnic Projectors
Oxygen System Section (T.O. 03-50-30)
Oxygen Cylinders
Oxygen Regulators
Oxygen Masks
Oxygen Gages, Indicators, etc.
Oxygen Valves
Oxygen Adapters
Turbosuperchargers, Regulators, and Pumps Section (T.O. 03-10-48)
Turbosuperchargers
Regulators - Hydraulic Turbosupercharger
Regulators - Electric Turbosupercharger
Regulators - Automatic Manifold Pressure
Flame Dampeners
Hydraulic Pumps
Fuel and Water Pumps
Booster Pumps
Pump Motors
Hand Pumps
Air Pumps
Pump Accessories
Fuel Valves