Got several replies about either shifting gears on takeoff or flushing
something enroute! Glad to see that it was the suspected brake handle and
hat rack!
Thnx to all who responded, both in the newsgroup and via email.....

--
R. J. (Bob) Van Horn

Long Beach, California
"J. Severyn" wrote in message
. ..

"R. J. (Bob) Van Horn" wrote in message
...
Friend sent me pictures of restored Ford Tri-Motor. What appears to be a
mid-30's manual transmission shift lever is mounted between the pilot and
copilot's seats. He asked if I knew what it was for and I'll admit, I'm
a geezer but not that old. I haven't got a clue. Anybody out there that
might know what it's for?????

--
R. J. (Bob) Van Horn

Long Beach, California


Yep... It is the brake lever. Page 48 of the 1929 POH "Book of
Instruction" shows how it works.
Forward: No Brakes
Left and Partially back: Left Brakes
Right and Partially back: Right Brakes
Fully back in the center: Both Brakes

The POH is available for download at:
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/oth...nual-5566.html
You gotta register first and it is almost 23Mbytes long, but very
interesting.
Here are some better photos of a restored TriMotor:
http://www.ipass.net/ginkgo/N9612home.html
It is for sale.

Regards,
John Severyn