P-38 Question - step at rear of cockpit pod?

[Dave Downs]

I watched 'A Guy Named Joe' the other night. Twice during the film the actors manipulated a lever built into the top center of the cockpit pod at the rear edge of the wing. In one scene it seemed to operate/retract something under the wing (possibly a step), and in another scene the lady pilot runs to the rear to close/stow the mechanism prior to take-off.

Any idea what it is?

[Matt Gunsch]

it is the entry ladder,

[Dave Downs]

Thanks!

[Lynn Allen]

It locks in place with the handle stowed. Easy to reach from the ground but if you step wrong, you won't get a 8 second ride....

Lynn

[Holedigger]

The Fw190 had a similar crew ladder built in that popped down on the Port side just aft of the wing. On some episodes of "Dogfights" they were flying around with them down...guess they didn't know that in flight they were usually retracted!