Barbers Point NAS

Back to the station this morning. A Jap convoy has been spotted headed for the Solomons. It’s so big that all of it wasn’t visible at one time. Those poor bastards down there are really in for it.

Instrument hop this afternoon. Thought I’d test the emergency bomb release and landing gear mechanisms. The emergency bomb release worked perfectly. I then cut my number three engine (inboard, starboard) so as to cut off the engine- driven hydraulic pump. Then set the crew to lowering the landing gear by the manual emergency system. After turning the handle to the limit we found that only our left wheel had dropped. The nose wheel doors were open but the wheel itself had not dropped. Sent a man up to kick the nose wheel down which he did with ease. However, our right wheel, contrary to all rules had refused to even unlock! Tried to shake it out by maneuvering the plane violently, but no dice. Finally gave up, and starting up our #3 engine, I lowered it hydraulically, and then came in and landed. If our hydraulic system had been shot away and that had been a real emergency, we would’ve been screwed, as once the landing gear is lowered manually, it can’t be raised again in the air. Hence we would’ve had to make either a one-wheel landing, or abandon the plane by parachute and let it crash. A one-wheel landing in one of these jobs would be an almost certain crash, and a damn bad one at that, with a good chance of all of us of us all being broiled alive.

Scared hell out of the crew when, and resetting the bomb bay door release catch, I accidentally discharged one of the hydraulic accumulators. No damage, but a very loud, unearthly screech.

Big alert on tonight! An Army B-17 spotted a small land plane 700 miles out – undoubtedly a Jap. Most likely off some small carrier.