AERONAUTICAL COMPASSES

• LOBBY

• FOREWORD

• SEARCH

• > COMPASS TYPES

  • Aeronautical Compasses
  • Nautical Compasses
  • Marching Compasses
  • Wrist and Pin-on Compasses
  • Compass Watches
  • Pocket Compasses
  • Survey and Artillery Compasses
  • Escape Compasses
  • Sundials
  • Other Compasses (jewelry and tools)
  • Religion and Esoticism

• > MISCELLANEOUS

  • Terminology
  • Cardinal points
  • Divisions
  • History / Bibliography
  • Fakes and 'Nazi' Compasses

• SHOP

• LINKS

• CONTACT

• GUESTBOOK

Links to overviews of German aircraft compasses (website cockpitinstrumente.de): WWI and WWII
Specialized books : go to Miscellaneous / History and Bibliography.

---

A AERA AIRPATH (go to "Standby compass") AIR MINISTRY (A.M.) Aperiodic Compass ASKANIA AVIARICHTER	B B, B-3A (Type B) BADIN Ballooning BAMBERG BARBIER, BÉNARD,      TURENNE  (B.B.T.) BENDIX BOES	C CAMPBELL COLLINS COLVIN Compensation (books) CREAGH-OSBORNE	D D-12 DALOZ - DOIGNON DELSUC DEPERDUSSIN DRC - Distant Reading Compass E ELGIN WATCH CO.
F	G GAUJOUR GOERZ Gyrocompass / gyrosyn	H - I HAMILTON INSTRUMENTS HASLER HUGHES & Son HUSUN	J Japanese manufacturers (WWII)
K KEARFOTT KELVIN-HUGHES KI-13A (КИ-13A in cyrill. letters) KIRBY-SMITH KOLLSMANN KRAUSS KREISEL	L LEPAUTE Henry LUDOLPH	M MAXANT Mark II (s. Air M.) MONODEP MOREL (B.B.T.)	N Navigation O
P PATIN Pattern 200, 223, 259 etc. PDK / ПДК in cyrill. letters PERCHERON Pfadfinder für Aviatik PIONEER (see also BENDIX) PLATH	Q	R Radiation Radio Compass ROSENFELD	S SESTREL SIEMENS & HALSKE SMITH's Aircraft Instruments SPERRY Stand-by Compass
T - U T.A. 103 - THÉDENAT UGR-4 (YГP-4 in cyrillic letters) URFER	V VION (inluding compasses for land vehicles)	W W.D. 32	X - Y - Z Unknown aircraft compasses

---

- A -

KREISEL - Kreisel-Anlage ARADO 234 ?

Contrôle fonctionnel

Lien vers photo : instruction compensation (plaquettes rivées sur le compas QSC 27)

TELEOPTIK

Portrait : voir boussoles de marche

Modèle marqué T.LK18 Date de fabrication inconnue mais probablement antérieur à la 2e Guerre mondiale.	Photos M. Doveton Cliquer sur les images pour les agrandir	Fiche technique Dimensions : diam. ... x ... mm NOTA: Nous ne pouvons pas garantir à 100% que cet instrument a été fabriqué par TELEOPTIK. Ce n'est qu'une supposition échafaudée à partir des inscriptions gravées sur sa face avant de part et d'autre de la lettre N. Supposant que T.LK seraient l'initiale du fabricant et LK la désignation de l'instrument, la seule explication plausible de cette abréviation serait Letač Kompas c'est-à-dire compas pilote en serbocroate. Le seul fabricant dont le nom commence par un T dans un pays de langue slave s'écrivant en lettres latines était Teleoptik dans l'ancienne Yougoslavie. De plus, on distingue à droite du N une ligne et trois lettres (sauf erreur de lecture):  ___S__0 (zéro ?)__Y____ dans laquelle le Y représenterait le sud (YOUG comme dans Yougoslavie) et le S (= Sever) le nord comme dans toutes les langues slaves, de part et d'autre d'un zéro (voir menu DIVERS / POINTS CARDINAUX - Serbocroate). Cette gravure symboliserait peut-être la correction de la déviation magnétique. Cependant, comme il n'y a pas de vis servant à effectuer cette opération et vu qu'il y a une traversée pour raccordement électrique située sur le côté (lien vers photo), tout laisse à penser qu'il s'agit d'un instrument asservi à un compas "maître". Ceci sous toute réserve. Si vous possédez des informations sûres, merci de nous aider à corriger cet article.
Cliquer sur les images pour les agrandir		Modèle (Tip = type) 407 : date de fabrication inconnue mais sans doute post 2e Guerre mondiale. Fiche technique Dimensions: ... x ... mm Inscription en serbocroate : Compas pilote Il y eut aussi un modèle 443 dont nous n'avons pas de photo.

TELEOPTIK

Steckbrief: siehe Marschkompasse. Dieser Kompass erscheint anscheinend in einem Instrumentenbrett in einer Werbung der Firma Korect Depth Gauge.

Modell T.LK18 Fertigungsdatum unbekannt, wahrscheinlich vor dem 2. Weltkrieg	Name T.LK18 und S-Null-Y-Linie Fotos M. Doveton Zum Vergrößern, Bilder anklicken	Datenblatt Abmessungen: 100 x 80 x 80 mm Die Himmelsrichtungen (N, W, S, E) und Zwischenrichtungen (Dreiecke), die vermutlich mit radiumhaltiger Farbe ausgeführt waren, sind heute schwarz geworden. Anmerkung: Wir können nicht mit 100%-iger Sicherheit garantieren, dass dieses Instrument von TELEOPTIK gebaut wurde. Diese Vermutung beruht auf der Deutung der Beschriftung links und rechts von der Nord-Markierung, die wir wie folgt verstehen: es handelt sich um eine slawische Sprache, die in lateinischen Buchstaben geschrieben wird (Polnisch, Tschechisch oder Kroatisch). Wir kennen in diesen Ländern jedoch nur einen Hersteller dessen Name mit einem T beginnt, also tippen wir auf Serbokroatisch. Die Buchstaben T.LK stünden demnach jeweils für die Anfangsbuchstaben von Teleoptik und Letač Kompas, d.h Pilotkompass. Auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite vom N ist  eine Linie mit drei Buchstaben (vom Zentrum der Windrose betrachtet): ___S__0 (Null)__Y___ Nord heißt in den slawischen Sprachen S (= Sever) und Süden "Yug" (wie in Jugoslawien, s- Menü Verschiedenes / Himmelsrichtungen - Serbokroatish). Es handelt sich unserer Meinung nach um eine symbolhaft dargestellte Einstellungsmöglichkeit der Missweisung. Da es aber keine entsprechenden Stellschrauben gibt, scheint es darauf hinzuweisen, dass die Missweisung automatisch korrigiert wird. Eine seitliche Kabeldurchführung (Link zu Foto) führt zur Annahme, dass es sich hier um ein nachgeführtes Instrument handelt. ALLE INFOS MIT VORBEHALT. Wenn Sie über belastbare Infos verfügen, bitten wir um Ihre Hilfe.
Fotos Compassipedia Zum Vergrößern, Bilder anklicken		Modell (Tip = Typ) 407: Fertigungsdatum unbekannt. Vermutlich nach dem 2. Weltkrieg Logo von Teleoptik (T in einem Dreieck)  Datenblatt ... Bezeichnung auf Serbokroatisch: Pilotkompass Es gab auch ein Modell 443, von dem wir kein Bild besitzen.

TELEOPTIK

Profile: see Marching Compasses

Model T.LK18 Production date unknown, probably before WWII	Name T.LK18 und S-Null-Y-Linie Fotos M. Doveton Click on images for enlarged views	Technical Data Dimensions: dia. ... x ... mm The cardinals (N, W, S, E) and half-cardinals (triangles) which were printed with radium-compound paint have turned black with the time. NOTE: We cannot guarantee for sure that this instrument was produced by TELEOPTIK. This assumption results from the study of the inscriptions left and right of the north marking. The various letters can be interpretated as the maker's name and designation of the instrument: T.LK would thus stand for Teleoptik and Letač Kompas, i.e. Pilot Compass if we are right in assuming that it is written in a Slav language in latin letters like Polnish, Czech or Kroatian. Since we only know of a single maker whose name begins with the letter T in these countries namely Teleoptik in former Yugoslavia, we consider that the language must be Kroatian. On the opposite side of N we see a line with three letters which we read as follows:  ___S__0 (zero)__Y___ In all Slav languages, the cardinal point North is called Sever (abbreviated S) and South "Yug" (like in Yugoslavia, (see menue Miscell. / Cardinal points-  table - Serbocroatian). This could represent a symbolic view of a correction of the deviation. Since this instrument features a connector (link to picture) and there are no screws to perform such a correction we consider that this compass was slaved and didn't need any correction of deviation. Thanks for helping if you have 1st hand information.
Fotos Compassipedia Click on images for enlarged views		Model (Tip = Type) 407: Production date unknown, probably after WWII Logo of Teleoptik (T in a triangle)  Technical Data Dim.: ... mm Designation in Kroatian language: Pilot Compass There is another model designated TIP 443 but have not picture of it.

DURKEE

DURKEE Co. was a New Yorker ships compass maker. He is named as the manufacturer of a compass called Type A featuring a vertical card. It is described in the Air Service Information Circular dated June 15, 1920 'Aerial Navigation Instructions', Chapter II.6. (click on image at right for description)

Compass Functional Test

This device was made by the French compass manufacturer VION to test their own compasses and used as early as in the 1920s. The wording of the maximum admissible error in the test procedure (see img. in table centre) was used in a booklet published in 1922 (Traité Pratique de Navigation Aérienne, link to image).
When a vessel or aircraft makes a turn, the compass bowl rotates and the liquid inside also. Although the compass disc inside tends to remain in the same position in space due to the magnets being attracted by Earth's magnetic North pole, it is partly dragged (in French ENTRAÎNEMENT) by the fluid's motion. With this test one measured how important the drag was. The angular difference from the original position after a full (360°) revolution effected in 30 sec. was not allowed to exceed a certain value depending on the type of compass shape (here "horizontal" display i.e. flat disc viewed  from above or "vertical" display like a sphere, band etc. viewed from a side window) or size (see below).  In the booklet, it says also that the disc should come back to its original position after 25 sec. and 3 to 4 oscillations.

Note: The crank needs to be turned about 15-16 times at the rate of 2 sec/turn to make the large disc fulfill a complete rotation. For the same amount of crank turns, the small disc only rotates 180°, hence one needs to operate the crank more than 35 times at the rate of 1 turn per sec. to reach 360° in 30 sec.

Compass Testing Device The large disc is rotated by the crank on the right. The small disc is moved by a belt The zero references are the brass pointers to be observed either from above or from the side. (Click on the images for enlarged views)

Technical Data Dimensions: Ø large/small disc: 277/80 mm Interaxes distance: 250 mm. Ground plate: 255 mm x 500 mm Test procedure / max. values: (see translation at right): Pictures by courtesy of D. Binon

Excerpt of the Traité de Navigation Aérienne (p. 8):   DISC DRAG ERROR After a full revolution effected in 30 sec. - Max. error 12° on horizontal* compass disc Ø 140 mm - Max. error  8° on horizontal compass disc Ø 85-75 and 60 mm - Max. error  7° on vertical* compass disc Ø 60 mm * Examples of VION compasses with horizontal and vertical disc:

Picture posted by 'Guynemer' on the web site "Lagrandeguerre.cultureforum.net"	Logo on a bord watch Click on images for enlarged views.	Type E 10     Technical Data      - Dim.:  ...      - Weight:  ...
Picture courtesy ailesyport	Picture courtesy ailesyport	Pictures: - Left: Ad for model CT (tourism), - Center: Ad for models B (navigator) and C (pilot) - Right: Figure published in Cours élémentaire de compensation et d'emploi by Capitaine Robert Gaujour (1936) giving instructions for compensation (copies available).

TOP OF PAGE

GROSS

PROFILE - Alexander Gross The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the British government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force. It existed from 1.4.1914 to 1964. Different types of aircraft compasses were built for the A.M.: the P Series compasses were pilot’s compasses, the O Series being observer's compasses.
During WWII, they were built by several makers. After the serial number on the bezel, a suffix (letter or sign) denotes the manufacturer or another characteristic. They are explained in the Air Publication 1234. Henry Hughes and Sons (later Kelvin Hughes) also made compasses under the trade name Huson, the most common example being the Huson Mk3.

We display here just a few examples: The model 06A, a landing compass was a hand bearing compass for use on the ground (for modern instruments see SESTREL, SAURA). Other compasses installed on-board of aircraft were based on a same design like the P series. Some were equiped with a mirror and the O2 had an azimuth circle.
The compasses used by the RAF were aperiodic compasses, i.e. they settled onto a true course after a turn without overcompensation, this being achieved by means of sophisticated features like strong magnetic moment, small inertia and heavy damping. For further information concerning navigation on RAF aircraft with these compass types and more technical details concerning the aperiodic compasses, please go to cairdpublications.

The following information concerning the various P models' chronology was sent by a friendly visitor. Any complementary data will be welcome:


- The P.3 was a vertical card compass dated about 1930. I suspect (but have no hard evidence) that P.1 and P.2 were assigned to WW1 RFC (Royal Flying Corps, predecessor of the RAF) compasses that remained in service after the Air Ministry was formed.
- The P4 was a mid-1930s compass and was used in “large” aeroplanes, including the Hawker Hart, Sunderland and early four-engined bombers. It was replaced by the P10, which was identical in size but had four cross hairs rather than two. Some P4's were modified with four cross hairs as P4A. It was the P10 that would have been fitted to the Lancaster rather than the earlier P4, but I have no doubt that P4's were also used when the need arose.
- I have no information about the P5.
- The P6 was fitted to “small” aeroplanes. It was replaced by the P8, which had a slightly larger bezel.
- The P7 was an inverted version of the P6 and was replaced by the P9, which was an inverted P8.
- The P8 was in common use from about 1937 and was used in the Spitfire, Hurricane, Tiger Moth, etc. and was replaced by the P11. There was also a version marked as the P8M (M for MARINE ?). Some P8's and P8M's were modified with four cross hairs.
- The P9 was an inverted version of the P8 and looked similar to the P7.
- The P10 was an improved version of the P4 with four cross hairs.
- The P11 was an improved version of the P8 with four cross hairs.
- The P12 (s. pic. at right) was an inverted version of the P11 viewed via a mirror which hung below the bezel (see picture). It probably was the last magnetic compass in the P Series.

CAUTION - RADIATION HAZARD

The cardinals (N-E-S-W) and the 10-deg. markings on the compasses were made of a radioactive compound (radium and zinc sulfide/copper) which is still "hot" although the paint is no longer visible in the dark. In 50 cm (1 1/2 ft) distance, the gamma radiation measured is 0.35 µSv/hr (microsieverts/hour). The natural background radiation is about 0.10 µSv/hr. The threshold for hazardous radiation is 0.30, this means that this instrument is not dangerous if always kept at this safe distance.
DON'T OPEN THESE INSTRUMENTS AND NEVER MINGLE WITH RADIOACTIVE PARTS.
DON'T STAY DURING LONG PERIODS NEAR THEM.
YOU WILL FIND MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE RADIUM-PAINT COMPOUND HERE.

The application of Radium compound paint for letters and figures instruments was described in a patent no. 110,203 (follow link for pic.) filed in Oct. 1916 by F. O. Creagh-Osborne, F. H. Glew, A. J. Hughes and Henry Hughes & Son Ltd.

Read the news about contaminated beaches because of the dumping of decommissioned equipement after WWII.

TOP OF PAGE

Pict. Notes on Aero Compasses and their Adjustment (Air Pub. 191, 1918) (For a drawing of a sectional view with the parts list ask the museum's curator via the CONTACT button) (Click on images for enlarged views)	Pic. Magnetic Compass in Aircraft (Air Pub. 802, 1920).	Model name: R.A.F.  Mark II (note: for type Mk III go to HUSUN) Technical Data - Dim.:  9½ x 5½ x 5½ in. (240 x 140 x 140mm) - Weight: 4 lb. 10 oz. (2.3 kg) - Spherical bowl, inside face of inclined glass window also spherical (same radius as bowl), the correction magnets were placed in the "grip" - Maker: Royal A/C Establishment, Farnborough This system was especially developed by Dr. Keith Lukas to overcome the phenomenon called Northerly Turning Error (description in Air Publ. 802 - ask for copies).
Pic. Magnetic Compass in Aircraft (Air Pub. 802, 1920). Comprehensive description available: ask for copies	Details: see at right (Click on images for enlarged views)	Type 6/18 - Aperiodic Compass - Mark III Technical Data: Inventors: Campbell & Bennett, England from 1918 onwards until superseded by the models described below. - Dim.: height: 1015mm; dia.: 680mm Printed onto crew members training poster (see enlarged view): "AIR MINISTRY / DIRECTORATE OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT / 4-2-26 / AIR DIAGRAM NO 986" Printed below border: "16604 W.977/13657 4/25 R. & L. E.2858" (Read more: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=149614#ixzz2lt2ziSCN Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial) Original photograph courtesy powerhousemuseum post-edited by Jaypee for COMPASSIPEDIA

PATTERN
Most compasses correspond to a defined "Pattern". See overview.

LANDING COMPASS (see definition at right) 1 - HAND-HELD TYPE 06A Stores* Ref. 6A / I.248 * see Miscellaneous/Terminology 2 - GROUND DEVICE (TO BE PLACED ON A TRIPOD)	AIR PUBLICATION 1275 General description and section view   (Photocopies of AM compass manuals can be ordered) * A landing compass is used to "swing" the compass installed in the fully equipped aircraft i.e. to write a table with the deviation values (description in the Air Pub. 802, photocopies available). See also BOES below. (Click on the pictures for enlarged views)	Technical Data - Diameter: 3.8 in. (95 mm) - Overall length: 9 in. (190 mm) - Weight: 2 lb. 4 oz. (approx. 1 kg) - Serial no.: 38899H The Air Ministry logo (see pic. below) was not engraved on all items. Some featured only the Army's broad arrow ("crow foot"). The compass card's winged North symbol (mirrored view):
TYPE P. 2 Certain characteristics like the divisions ring and N-S arrow are maybe evolutions compared to the Type P.1.    (Click on the images for enlarged views)	The system was apparently gimballed like ships compasses. Pictures courtesy G. Rooney The casing without the divisions ring. The aircraft's axis (direction of flight) was represented by means of a long pin located on the casing's side wall opposite to the word AFT. The card's south-north axis was enhanced by means of an arrow featuring a letter S at one end and a letter N in a red triangle at the northern end. The arrowhead features two bird wings with feathers like on the TYPE 06A's card above (click on link for pic).	Technical Data   Dimensions - Height: 3 1/8 in. /  80mm - Dia. (top rim): 6 1/2 in. / 165mm - Dia. (base): 5 1/2 in. / 140mm - Dia. of compass disk: 2 3/8 in / 60mm Markings: Type . P. 2 . (with three dots!), AFT, No. 195 D. The card already featured the spider leg-shaped damping wires (see also the exploded view of Type P.6). The card supplier's name in the north symbol (stylized fleur de lys) is HUSUN (click on link for pic). The center letters are masked by the S-N arrow. This is the abbreviated trade name of H. Hughes & Son Ltd. TOP OF PAGE
TYPE P. 3 Front view (compass) (Click on the images for enlarged views)	LH and RH views:     Pictures courtesy aspentree123	Technical Data Compass type: vertical type, free rotating sphere Dimensions - Height: 10 in. / 250mm - Dia. of compass window: 2.25 in. / 55mm Weight: 3 lb 11 0z. (1.66 kgs.) Markings Type P3, S/No. 734 H* and a large letter M in white paint; Stores Ref. 6A/O.224 Materials - Compass casing: brass; mouting frame: aluminum, grip: wood
Type P4, P6, P8 compasses Stores Ref. 6A/O.227, .367 and .726 These compasses had apparently the same shape. Only internal technical details vary. P4 top view and exploded view of P6 (Click on the images for enlarged views)	Side view: A P4 in situ in a Lancaster bomber's cockpit (Cockpit picture by courtesy of www.spitfirespares.com) For a FOOTAGE (part 1of 2) about low-level navigation and compass use click on the image below:	Technical Data P4 - Built in (Lancaster?) bombers - Diameter: 7 1/4 in. (184 mm) - Weight: 5 lb. 14 oz (approx. 2.5 kg) - 4 magnets P6 - Built in ...? - Diameter: 5 3/8 in. (136 mm) - Weight: 2 lb. 4 oz (approx. 1.2 kg) - 2 magnets P8 - Built in Spitfire - Diameter: 5 3/8 in. (136 mm) - Height: 3 in (77 mm) - Weight: ... oz (approx. 0,821  kg)
AIR PUBLICATION 1275 General description and section view Photocopies of AM compass manuals can be ordered Click on the images for enlarged views	TOP OF PAGE	A compass in its transit container
Type P7 Stores Ref. 6A/O.430 Pictures courtesy G. Rooney (Click on the images for enlarged views)	AIR PUBLICATION 1275 General description and section view (Photocopies of AM compass manuals can be ordered)	Technical Data Type P7 aircraft course-setting compass with illuminated grid and a mirror in the base to reflect the compass reading. - Diameter: 5 1/2 in. - Height: 8 in. - Weight: 4 lb. 8 oz. (approx. 2.3 kg)
Type P.11 "Designed in conjunction with the Admiralty Compass Department and manufactured by Kelvin & Hughes Ltd." Description: slightly smaller than the P10. Type P.12 See List of compasses and picture (blue compass at r.) above	OVERHAUL AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS (26 pages, 14 figs) (Available online HERE)	Fig. 14 - Exploded view
Type O2 with azimuth circle Stores Ref. 6A/O.380 Picture at left courtesy Viet-Linh Nguyen (Click on the images for enlarged views)	AIR PUBLICATION 1275 General description and section view (Photocopies of AM compass manuals can be ordered)	Technical Data - Dia.: 6 1/4 in. - Weight: 6 lb. 2 oz. (approx. 3 kg) Azimuth circle (stores Ref. 6A/O.411) Click here for a FOOTAGE about a compass in perfect condition.
Type SO2 - Stores Ref. 6A/1078   Picture courtesy 28peche (Click on the images for enlarged views)	Side view of prism and lamp fitting	Technical Data - Diameter: 16.5 mm - Weight: ? Label
Bomb Sight Type D Stores Ref. 6E/O.276 This instrument is primarily designed for use in the course-setting bomb sights Mk VII A, B and C. (Click on the images for enlarged views)	AIR PUBLICATION 1275 General description and section view (Photocopies of AM compass manuals can be ordered)	Technical Data - Diameter: 4 in. - Weight: 1lb. 11 oz (approx. 750 gr)

TOP OF PAGE

Aperiodic Compass

Literally, a compass without a period, that is, a compass that, after being deflected, returns by one direct movement to its proper reading, without oscillation. Also known as deadbeat compass. This type of compass was invented by G. R. C. CAMPBELL and his technical solution implemented in most Air Ministry compasses (see above).

ASKANIA

PROFILE - German manufacturer (more information HERE). The confidential three-letter-code during WWII was bxx (click on link for pic.).
See also Wrist, Marching and Nautical compasses.

Orterkompass (Observer / Navigator compass) Lkf 5b "Franz" Supply no. Fl.23203-1, predecessor model of OK 38 This instrument was also produced by C. Plath and W. Ludolph. Enlarged view of the compass card: click on picture at r.		Technical data - Dia.: 120 mm - Height: 80 mm (case) + 50 mm (glass dome) - Weight: ca. 750 g (w/o attachment parts) - Techn. Data in the ASKANIA catalogue WWII Material supply document "Flieg" of model OK 38: Fl. 23204. Compare with other versions in this List of German a/c compasses during WWII. Link to picture Instruments panel.
Slaved compass assy.	Ad. published in 1941	Technical Data The assembly comprises the following parts (table: picture of the catalogue)
Kompensier-Peilscheibe Lp 5 (compensation bearing disc) Pictures courtesy Jan Hessels		Technical Data See description in catalogue (click on image bellow left)

TOP OF PAGE

AVIARICHTER

PROFILE - Joachim Richter was a German watchmaker located Am Wald 2, Ende Erzbergerstr. 75 Karlsruhe 31. Miscellaneous aeronautical equipment. Automatic watch Model 08/15 Military (pic. Maistero/Watch Lounge). He also built at least until 1945 pilots' goggles (pic. profifilm.de, mod. 1935).

Model FK.16 (Führerkompass = pilot compass) Pictures Henri Note (Click for enlarged views)

Technical Data - Weight: 206 gr - Depth: 60 mm - Diam 57 mm   The FK16 is a LUDOLPH development and product. It is also integrated in their navigation equipment for divers.

TOP OF PAGE

- B -

BADIN

PROFILE - This instrument made by SPERRY-BADIN is a simple compass gyro activated by air flow. Inscription: "L'appareillage aéronautique" (APA). This company was created in 1923 and was the successor of the Laboratoire Badin (shop for aircraft instruments) created in 1911 by the famous inventor Raoul Badin (source: http://wikidesprofsdetheorie.javenel.profweb.ca/index.php/Badin).
Description and Technical Data: click on picture at right.

Ballooning

PROFILE - In its 1910 catalogue, the French compass maker and retailer VION displayed two pocket compasses with transparent glass bottom, stating that this design was specially conceived for ballooning. The other compass (on the enlarged image of the catalogue) was probably made by S-L.

Special compass for ballooning as shown in the VION catalogue  (c. 1910) Click on picture above for full descr.

Technical Data - Diameter: 45 mm - Depth: 12 mm - Weight: 40 gr - Manufacturer: Houlliot - Serial no.: 56 (punched on the side) It was carried in a leather pouch with snap lock and a large round window. Early 20th c.

Printing plate for catalogues of Houlliot compass retailers (s. F S & C)

TOP OF PAGE

BAMBERG, Carl

PROFILE - Carl Bamberg was a German compass manufacturer located in Friedenau near Berlin. The compasses were installed in aircraft ans airships.
For more information click HERE.
See also Nautical and Pocket Compasses.

Picture courtesy Horst Kahnt (click on the images for enlarged views) Technical Data - Diameter: 115mm - Height: 84mm - Weight: ... g ?

Above: The compas of the  Zeppelin L-31 Picture courtesy Jan Hessels

Patent 491.359 filed in 1930 by Bamberg & Askania Compass rose with manual setting of the flying route angle.

Ad published in the book: Der Flugzeugkompass (Gansberg, 1917)

TOP OF PAGE

Barbier, Bénard & Turenne  (B.B.T.)

PROFILE - The French company Etablissements Barbier, Bénard et Turenne (B.B.T.) was created in 1862 and closed in 1982). It was located 82, rue Curial, Paris 19 and was successors of KRAUSS). It produced in the 1930's / 1940's compass types called Type 120, 700 and 900, the models designed by MOREL and also ships compasses together with Doignon (read also the French Wikipedia).

Type 700 - Technical Data Dim. (ext. dia. x ht.): ... x ... mm Photograph of the compass as published in Colonel Gaujour's  instructions for the compensation of compasses (1946)

Type 120 - Technical Data Dim.: ... x ... mm Photograph of the compass as published in Colonel Gaujour's instructions for the compensation of compasses (1946), compare to VION's Type 150

Type 900 Technical Data - Dim. (ext. dia. x ht.): 135 x 170 mm Pictures courtesy pseudo17dom

Photograph of the compass in Colonel Gaujour's book on compensation of compasses (1946)

TOP OF PAGE

BENDIX

PROFILE - BENDIX Aviation Corporation is a U.S. company created in 1928 that merged with PIONEER. Inventors like Adolf URFER, G.V. RYLSKY (see table below) and Ch. H. COLVIN filed patents for Pioneer and Bendix. For more information go to "Rockwell  Collins" in Wikipedia.

	Copies of the patents listed on the label are available	STRAIGHTFLIGHT, JR. COMPASS - TYPE 1802-2B Technical data Dia. (dial): 100mm (5 in) Manufactured approx. in 1940 Picture courtesy Ames Swartsfager - Click on the images for enlarged views
The upper plate masks a lamp. Pictures courtesy Tony KING (Click for enlarged view)	Rear face (connectors)	AIRCRAFT COMPASS MARK VIII - TYPE 1822 Technical Data - Breadth: 87mm - Height: 80mm - Weight: 883gr Markings: BU. AERO. U.S. NAVY F.S.S.C. No.: 33-C-800 MFR'S Part No.: 1822-1-B
	Patent no. 2,188,821 for a new system allowing to uniformly illuminate a compass rose (1938). Rylsky also filed in 1940 a patent (no. 2.227.368) about the internal electrical illumination.  (Click on image at left for view of full page - Photocopy available)	Excerpt: "The novel means of the present invention comprise a transparent ring of light-conducting material (40) [...] composed of glass, quartz, "Lucite" or any other suitable material. The light from a lamp (42) may be introduced in the ends (40c) of the ring and conducted thereby around the periphery of the compass. The ring-light is provided with a plurality of light-reflecting surfaces (fig. 2, 40a and 40b) extending around the circumference of the ring, the reflecting area of these surfaces gradually increasing in amount of the distance as the distance from the light source increases."
Model D-12		The patent above was implemented into the model D-12
	Cut-away view (Installation instr.)	PIONEER VEHICLE COMPASS - TYPE 1829 This compass was used in all sorts of land vehicles incl. tanks. It is said to have also been used in aircraft (Installation Instr. avlbl.) but we lack evidence. Pictures courtesy priv. coll. (Click on images for enlarged views)

The flight instrument below is a radio compass indicator. It is not a compass per se but an indicator that has a needle coupled to a synchro motor that is coupled (via a 5-wire cable, connector PL 118) to another device or mechanism that actually performs the compass function (e.g. flux valve). The knob labeled VAR allows the calibrated direction ring to be set (E-W) for variances in magnetic declination that is different at all localities over the world and varies over time (especially as the airplane proceeds in an East-West direction). Magnetic variation is noted on maps and aeronautical charts which allows the pilot or navigator to correct for this variation as the airplane proceeds from one location to another.
(This definition was kindly given by LLoyd Crawford.)

(Click on the pictures for enlarged views)

Radio compass / Signal indicator I-82-A Signal Corps U. S. Army S/N: 4771 Period: WW2 Technical Data - Diameter: 13 cm - Depth: 9 cm - Weight: 600 gr

Picture courtesy worldconflictimages

The next step was the integration of the compass into a complex instrument called Air Position Indicator (ad published in 1944, Japan is burning...). (s.  KEARFOTT, SIEMENS etc.)   Picture courtesy worldconflictimages

TOP OF PAGE

BOES

PROFILE - W. W. BOES Company was a U.S. company located 3801 Salem Ave. in Dayton, Ohio (created in...? existed until...?).
Products: astrocompass, compass swinging sight (table below).

Click on the image for an enlarged view in working position as shown in the original user instruction

Instrument used to perform the operation called SWINGING. Read more details HERE. Click here for viewing an ad dated Sept, 1943.

Technical Data - Diameter: ? - Depth: ? - Weight: ? - Supply designation and no. : Sight, compass swinging, 42013536

TOP OF PAGE

- C -

CAMPBELL

PROFILE -  George Richard Colin CAMPBELL, Lieutenant-Commander Royal Navy filed together with Geoffrey Th. Bennett, both members of the Admiralty Compass Observatory / Compass Department in 1918 a patent (no. 127,135 - copies available) the principle of which was applied in almost all compasses produced for the Royal Air Force (s. the Air Ministry models): a double cross of wires allowing an optimum damping of the magnet needle's oscillations in the fluid. These compasses were called aperiodic.

The aperiodical compass designed by Campbell & Bennett

Fig: Patent    Zum Vergrößern, Bilder anklicken

COLLINS

PROFILE - See Rockwell Collins in Wikipedia - Products: radiocompass, compass slave indicator

COLVIN

PROFILE - Charles H. Colvin filed in 1920 a first patent (no. 1,334,273) for a compass that could be simultaneously read from either side and the top so that pilot and observer could use the same instrument even if not seated at the same level. He was in 1922 assignor to PIONEER when he filed a second patent accepted in 1928. This compass is almost identical to Hughes' HUSUM model below.

Figures on patent (photocopy available)

Announcement published in a patents review Click on images for full view and text

Figures on patent no. 1,679,764

Compensation (book)

Offficial Air Publications published by the british Air Ministry:  
- Notes on Aero-compasses and their adjustment (Air publ. 157, London 1918)
- Remarks on compasses in aircraft by F. Creagh-Osborne (Air Publication 802, London Nov. 1920)
Compass types dealt with: Patterns 253, 256, 259, 5/17, 6/18 and R.A.F. Mark II.
For similar books in French go to Creagh-Osborne (below) and via the menue point Miscell. / History & Bibliogr. / Early days of Aeronautics: Les compas d'aviation - Cours élémentaire de compensation et d'emploi by Capitaine Gaujour, 1936, dealing with the compass types AERA, MOREL and VION. BBT-compasses are dealt with in the 2nd issue published in 1946.
You will also find there a German publ.: Der Flugzeugkompass, Kompensieren und Handhabung (Ganzberg, 1917).

TOP OF PAGE

CREAGH-OSBORNE

PROFILE - Captain Frank Osbornen Creagh-Osborne (1867/1943) was Superintendent of Compasses at the Admiralty and a British inventor.  He developed several compass systems which were manufactured by H. Hughes & Son Ltd, Dent & Co & Johnson Ltd and also by Sperry Gyroscopes (see also the sections Marching Compasses and Wrist Compasses).  In 1915, Henry A. Hughes took part in a meeting at the Admiralty and explained the advantages of this compass (source: minutes of meeting in 'Improvements in prismatic compasses with special reference to the Creagh-Osborne patent compass' - Ask for a copy).  The application of Radium compound paint for letters and figures instruments was described in a patent no. 110,203 (follow link for pic.) filed in Oct. 1916 by F. O. Creagh-Osborne, F. H. Glew, A. J. Hughes and Henry Hughes & Son Ltd.

Creagh-Osborne published in 1916 a booklet (photocopies of the French version available, 52 pages) about the use of compasses in aircraft. He described therein not only the systems integrated in the instrument panel but also the compasses utilised by the observer, i.e. attached to his wrist by a leather strap. According to Ellis Island's immigration records, he landed in New York on June 8, 1918 on board a ship called Olympic arriving from Southampton.
The compass made by KELVIN (link to pic. of Pattern 200) was also designed by Cptn Creagh-Osborne.

See also Marching and Wrist compasses

Description and user instructions for Air Compasses (French edition) (Click on the pictures for enlarged views)	Instrument panel compasses Pattern 255 and 259 Observer's wrist compass Pattern 261	The patent numbers indicated on the compasses (1148/15 and  17736/15) refer to the application documents and the year 1915 (copies available). The compass type described in Pat. no. 17,736 is for the patterns family 255/259. The numbering started in 1913 with pattern 200 and the compasses were issued from 1915 on. Patent no. 1148 describes several prismatic and liquid dampened compass types displayed in the Marching and the Wrist compasses sections.
Side/top view with the manufacturer's label of DENT & Co. & JOHNSON Ltd.	Air Compass Pattern 259	Technical Data - Dimensions (height x breadth): 152 x 135 mm - Depth (w. lugs): 108 mm - Depth (w/o lugs): 89 mm - Weight: c.1.7 lb. - Divisions: 360 deg. every 10. - Fluid damping
Click here for a view of the manufacturer's label of H. HUGHES & Son Ltd. (see below).	Air Compass Type 5/17 Pictures courtesy mfc80	Technical Data - Dimensions: 6½ x 5 5⁄8 x 4 in.  (165 x 143 x 100 mm) - Weight: 2.5 lb. (1.25 kg) - Divisions: 360 deg. every 10 - "upright compass" This extremely simplified compass was used in the famous WW1 Sopwith RFC/RAF aircraft. The figure 5/17 means design-appproved May 1917. More than 50,000 pcs were built. (Source: Steady as she goes, Fanning, 1986). For more RAF compasses check "Air Ministry" and in "Pattern"

TOP OF PAGE

- D -

DALOZ (DOIGNON)

PROFILE - Gaston-Jules DALOZ (living in Ramerupt, Aube, France) filed in Aug. 1910 a patent (no. 419.682) for a system that permitted to follow the displacement of the landscape on ground through the transparent card of a compass (see detailed description and comment as published in FLIGHT no. 107, iss. Jan. 14, 1911). The parallel lines were introduced via an additional patent in Nov. 1910.
The device was then further developed by Abel-Louis DOIGNON* (patent no. 431.275, May 1911) who added a liquid damping and mechanical solutions permitting a rapid (re-)setting.
In spite of this, the compass was not to be used as such (no cardinals) and the pilot needed an additional standby-compass.
* See Doignon's marching compass.

The original Daloz-Patent (Cover 9 2/4" x 1 ft)

Original drawing of DALOZ's system

Version with grid (in Les merveilles de la science, chap. Aérostation Aviation by Max de Nansouty,  Boivin ed., 1911)

The further development (DOIGNON's patent)

DELSUC

PROFILE - Jacques Jules-Marie DELSUC was a French engineer who is considered as the main inventor of the gyroscopic compass. He filed several patents between 1938 et 1947. His system was called Carpentier-Delsuc (in Col. Gaujour's book) because it was built in the plant Ateliers (Jules) Carpentier, 20, rue Delambre à Paris. List of French patents: 794.310, 810.985, 847.055, 921.822. US patent : 2.247.288 (copies available).

TOP OF PAGE

DEPERDUSSIN - Model MONODEP

PROFILE - Deperdussin was a French aircraft manufacturer (see Wikipedia) located 19, rue des Entrepreneurs, Paris.
This instrument with a very unusual design was invented in 1912 by Gaston Emile Colombel who lived 50, rue de Moscou, Paris (pat. no. 26,282, British issue). It was installed in the following aircraft during the first crossings of the Channel, three of them in thick fog: Biélovucie flying a Hanriot machine, Moineau flying a Bréguet, Prévost a Deperdussin, Guillaux a Clément).
The brochure & catalogue (13 p., photocopy available on request) also contains exerpts of letters sent by pilots after winning races:
- Crossing of the Alpes by Biélovucie in 1913.
- Coupe Pommery (1,129 km) won by Guillaux in April 1913.
- Races Paris-Amiens-Paris and Circuit Forézien (400 km) won by Molla. The latter flew the best time on the 1st leg of the waterplane race from St. Malo to Jersey and return in thick fog (letter dated Feb.1913).
A. Védrines thanked the inventor Colombel in the name of Serbian Air Force pilots.

Model MONODEP 1912 Dampening of vibrations by means of springs.

Model MONODEP 1914 Gimballed item, scale with MILS divisions (1/4 of full circle = 1600) (Click on images for enlargement)

Technical Data - (Functional description / patent's fig.)* The compass magnets are concealed in the bowl. The visible card rotates in a vertical plane and is linked to the magnets via a right-angle gear. Only the cardinals are painted on the card (red star for North). The route to be flown is set on the external scale (graduated 90° or 1600 MILS for a full circle) by means of an arm linked through the cover glass via a 1:4 gear to a second arm terminated by a red star which indicates the position of the card's north red star. A full circle of the scale corresponds thus with only a 1/4 of the card's rotation. The heading measured on a map is set via a special protractor and the external arm on the scale. The pilot only has to make sure that the two red stars remain superimposed. Model 1914 featured an integrated lighting with a battery which could be replaced in flight (6 hrs life time). The card was divided into four quarters of different colours and called Capitaine ROISIN after its designer. The magnetic declination could be set during production.! This seems surprising now but in those days, the aircraft range was not big enough to make an in-flight adjustment necessary. * The patent describes a flat instrument.

DRC - Distant Reading Compass

The DRC system consisted of a gyro magnetic master unit situated at the rear of the aircraft well away from magnetic disturbances. Repeater indicators were fitted for the navigator and pilot. Additionally, courses were fed to the Air and Ground Position Indicators (GPI), the H2S and Mk XIV bombsight. We used true courses, a Variation Setting Control (VSC) providing the necessary conversion. The DRC was a reliable, accurate and stable instrument. Available to the pilot, however, in case of a rare unserviceability, and a cross-check for the DRC was the P12 magnetic compass. (Source: Galgos)

TOP OF PAGE

- E -

ELGIN Watch Company

PROFILE - Major U.S. watch maker. Incorporated August 1864, sold in 1968. During World War II, all civilian manufacturing was halted and the company moved into the defense industry, manufacturing military watches, chronometers, fuses for artillery shells, altimeters and other aircraft instruments and sapphire bearings used for aiming cannons. (Source Wikipedia)

The B-3A compass was a later version of the “Type B” compass introduced in World War I. Most of the production of this particular model occurred around 1929. Very few of these would still have been in use by the WWII timeframe. They were one of the most common forms of military aircraft instrumentation as they could be used in just about any aircraft type ranging from trainers to pursuit (i.e. fighters) and bombers.
(Source Smithsonian Institution)

Front side

Rear side

B-3A Compare with Creagh-Osborne's Pattern 259 and 5/17 design. Markings: Air Compass A.C. U.S. Army, Type B-3A made by the Elgin National Watch Company.  Pictures courtesy P. Grace

TOP OF PAGE

- G -

GOERZ

PROFILE - Carl Paul GOERZ Optische Anstalt was a German maker located in Berlin-Friedenau. Read the company's history in the German WIKIPEDIA.
In the book Der Flugzeugkompass by captn. Fritz Gansberg, 1917 is a description and user instr. of the two versions below (copy available).
S. a. GOERZ pocket and survey compasses.

Technical Data - Dim.: ? Click on images for enlarged views

Technical Data - Dim.: ?

Gyro-compass / Gyro syn

A gyroscopic compass is an electrically operated instrument, controlled and damped either by gravity of electrically so that the spin axis settles in the meridian. These instruments are not the object of this museum. The gyrosyn is a remote-indicating compass system employing a directional gyroscope which is monitored by and synchronized with signal from an element fixed in azimuth and designed to sense its angular displacement from the earth's magnetic meridian. This element, called flux valve or flux gate, is located at some remote point, e.g. wing tips, away from extraneous magnetic influences.
Source: Chambers Dictionary of Science and Technology, 1974).

TOP OF PAGE

- H -

HAMILTON INSTRUMENTS

PROFILE - Leslie Alfred HAMILTON (1919-2005) created this company in... to produce and sell his invention, a compass with vertical card. The designation HI-400 stands for Hamilton Instruments, 4th prototype (read more details HERE).

Note: This system and this company are not associated with Hamilton Standard, a U.S. Company created in the 1920's by Thomas Foster Hamilton (July 28, 1894 – August 12, 1969) who was a pioneering aviator and the founder of this company.

This compass type is still being made by Precision Aviation. The mechanism is explained in the patent figures.

Click on the picture for an enlarged view

Technical Data - Dimensions: 70 x 60 x 50 mm - Weight: 270 gr/0.6 lbs. The deviation can be compensated in order to show a correct display by turning the screws at the lower front part: the left-hand screw (green paint mark, upper one on pic. below) is for the North-South axis and the one on the right (painted yellow) is for the East-West axis.

TOP OF PAGE

HASLER

PROFILE - HASLER A.G. successor of Telegraphen-Werkstätte von G. HASLER, Berne / Switzerland (only information available found in the International Guide, imprimerie Crété, 1931, page. VIII.35)

HUGHES (Henry H~ & Son Ltd.)

PROFILE - Henry Hughes was born in 1816. In 1838 Henry Hughes & Son was founded at 120 (later at 59), Fenchurch Street, London as a maker of chronographs and scientific instruments. Henry died in 1879 and his son Alexander succeeded him as chairman. The firm was incorporated as Henry Hughes & Son Ltd in 1903. Hughes & Son worked together with Captn. Creagh-Osborne among other inventors (see Type 5/17).
 In 1935, S. Smith & Son Ltd. acquired a controlling interest in the company. This resulted in the development of new marine and aircraft instruments (see HUSUN below). Following the destruction of the Fenchurch street offices in the Blitz of 1941, discussions with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulted in the establishing of the joint venture company Marine Instruments Ltd at 107, Fenchurch Street, London in 1942. Henry Hughes & Son Ltd was a founding company of KELVIN HUGHES (see Wikipedia, Nautical Compasses and this company's own website).
Check the Air Ministry (A.M.) compasses made by K.-H. like the type P.11.

HUSUN

PROFILE - HUSUN was the abbreviated trade name of H(enry) HUGHES & Son Ltd. This name appears on some aircraft compasses like the TYPE P.2 (see Air Ministry above). It was also re-used by other manufacturers (see another example SMITH's Aircraft Instruments

	Picture courtesy xy (Click on images for enlarged views)	Technical Data - Dimensions: mm - Weight: g - Markings: • on side: Manufacturer's label HUSUN and Table MAGNETIC COURSE COMPASS • on dial rim: MK. III. A. - N° 10838 (For Type Mk II, go to Air Ministry)
Picture courtesy Lady-Sam (Click on images for enlarged views)		Technical Data - Dimensions: mm - Weight: g Markings on top and on front side: HUSUN no. 662 I.B. COMPASS + Patent no. 127.135 The patent number refers to the invention of Lt-Cdr CAMPBELL.

TOP OF PAGE

- I - J -

Japanese Compasses (WWII)

We concentrate here various information to be found on the followings websites:
- Compass pictures: liveauctioneers, wehrmacht-awards, warrelics, warbirdsite, collectair,
- Background Information (on Gunsight.jp):
Japanese Army aircraft compasses
Japanese military aircraft instruments (list of data plates)
Reading Japanese data plates

Manufacturers names:
Tokyo Aviation Indicator Company
Yokogawa Kenki Seisakusho

Picture courtesy G. Rooney Main component of an  instrument with a mirror on top in which the mirrored figures 0-1-2-3 located at the end of wires could be read (see pic. at right).	Top view: the wire cross with the figures 0-1-2-3 at the ends and the deviation correction scale. View of a similar compass with a scale (0-10°) inside the bowl. The adjustment for deviation caused by metallic masses on-board was done by means of plugs stuck in the base stemm. (Pictures courtesy Liveauctioneers)	Technical data Dimensions (ht. x dia.) : 70 x 50 mm Compass with mirror 8'' ht. x 6 1/2'' dia. (230 x 162mm). Mounted on spring-loaded gimbal. No external markings here but a similar compass is known in its original container. It is marked completely in kanji with a plate indicating Noritake. NOTE: We don't know how the wire cross with the four figures 0-1-2-3 was to te used. Your help is needed. The tiny arrow on top indicates probably the flight direction.
	The manufacturer's label Pictures courtesy ebay member axialcompressor	Type 1 Model 1 Manufacturer: Tokyo Aviation Indicator Company
	Picture and information courtesy ebay member messerschmitt*109	Type 2 Model 2 "Gou" Manufacturer: Tokyo Aviation Indicator Company Japanese Imperial Army Type 2 Model 2 "Gou" Magnetic Compass, as used in various early and mid-war Japanese Fighters and Bombers such as the Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar", Kawasaki Ki-100 "Tony", Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally", Kawasaki Ki-48 "Lily", Mitsubishi Ki-67 "Peggy", and others.
	Pictures courtesy ebay member 4corners54	Dimensions (dia.x ht.): 4 x 5in. (100 x 125mm) Manufacturer: Tokyo Aviation Indicator Company
	Picture courtesy ebay member messerschmitt*109	Type 92 Magnetic Compass Manufacturer: Yokogawa Kenki Seisakusho This instrument was mainly used in single engine navy aircraft like the Zero, Nakajima B5N2 Kate, and Aichi B7A2 Grace. It was also used in the Okha 11, the infamous "Baka Bomb". (Picture far left and information courtesy Gunbunny / Wehrmacht-awards).

TOP OF PAGE

- K -

KEARFOTT - USAF N-1 Master Indicator

PROFILE - KEARFOTT is a North American manufacturer of flight instruments (more information HERE).
The instrument presented hereafter is an evolution of Kearfott's N-1 navigation system which was developed approximately in 1948.
The N-1 Compass System is a remote indicating magnetic slaved, directional gyro-stabilized compass system, specifically designed for airborne use in all latitudes. The Earth magnetism sensor is called here C-2 Remote Compass Transmitter. In addition to its use as a compass system, the N-1 also provides an azimuth reference signal for directional control of the automatic pilot and directional reference for other equipment. In magnetic slaved operation, the N-1 indicates the magnetic heading of aircraft during normal flight conditions. It is a highly accurate system that enables precise navigation on long range flights by taking into account both the Earth's rotation and curvature. This feature made it thus possible to perform grid navigation, i.e. to fly directly on 'great circle' routes and achieve the shortest possible distance between two points on the Earth.

Kearfott ultimately produced around ten thousand systems for USAF and commercial applications. There are still approximately 500 systems installed and active (e.g. in C-130 Hercules aircraft) within the USAF inventory and the AF has an ongoing repair depot activity (complete description in the original KEARFOTT document available).
Source: ASTRONAUTICS Corp. of America

The dial represents a motionless compass card. The long pointer indicates the actual aircraft's heading and the short one its present position between the Equator and one of the poles (LATITUDE scale: northern hemisphere is located left, southern hemisphere is right).
Example below: Actual position readings: Heading: 32° NE, Latitude: 38° N.

• Knob in upper right corner reads: LATITUDE CORRECTION N-S • Knob in lower right corner reads: SYNCHRONIZER L-R Click HERE for descriptive drawing of front face.

Rear face: with cover - click on image for enlarged view without cover Click HERE for descriptive drawing of rear face.

The N-1 system components Click HERE for functional drawing. Operation instructions avlble (prov. iss. July 1952, 42 p.)

Master Indicator Technical Data - Dim.: 120 x 120 x 220mm - Weight: approx. 4.5 kg / 9 lbs. (Click on images for enlarged views)

Description: Normally the small pointer on the latitude scale is set to "off" for magnetic slaved operation. When running in "free gyro", then the small pointer is adjusted to the approximate latitude that the aircraft is operating in and corrects the gyro for "earth rate" precession ('Free Gyro' operation is the normal operating mode in the arctic and antarctic regions near the Earth's magnetic poles).
The latitude pointer is set by the navigator and it does not give any position. Many times navigators operating in the antarctic (particularly in the Southern Latitudes) have set their latitude as N instead of S and suffered large induced corrections because of the wrong latitude.
The very small pointer on the L / R indicator, indicates input by the magnetic flux gate detector (C-2 Remote Compass Transmitter) which is remoted on the wing or other portion of the fuselage. It will continuously fluctuate back and forth as it receives the magnetic information.
(Explanations transmitted by Breckinridge S. Smith - Major, USAF ret.)

TOP OF PAGE

KI-13A (КИ-13A in cyrillic letters)

PROFILE - Unknown manufacturer.
Russian stand-by compass, 1960s.

Label Pictures ... (Click for enlarged views)

The  models KI-12 and KI-13 as described on the Russian website: www.aerokubinka.ru/graph/s/1/668_nav03.doc

Technical Data - Dia.: mm - Length: mm

KIRBY-SMITH

PROFILE : Compass manufacturer, French address 73, rue Laugier, Paris (this is the only available information, it was published in the International Air Guide, imprimerie Crété, 1931, p. VIII.35)

KRAUSS

PROFILE : Compass manufacturer predecessor of MOREL (this is the only available information, it was published in the International Air Guide, imprimerie Crété, 1931, p. VIII.35)

TOP OF PAGE

CONT'D