Recent content by Allan Hunter

Here are two. As you can see one is plain brown stained wood, the other is a sort of RAF blue. Most of my other compasses have the blue box color. I don't know why there would be a variation, unless the brown box was repainted that way after WW2 when these compasses became surplus and were sold...

You've done a nice neat job there. It looks like the real thing. I have several RAF compasses and I wonder why some are in varnished wood boxes, like this, and others are in RAF blue painted boxes. I wonder if anyone has any insights? Best wishes, Allan

Oops. Many apologies for this. I'll attach a picture of the book cover I've taken myself.

Yes indeed, that's the book. It can also be found cheaper than that on another Amazon listing...

I'm not truly an 'aviation writer' - but I did complete and publish my late father's memoir "From Coastal Command to Captivity" about his time in RAF Coastal Command and his attack on the Scharnhorst in July 1941, followed by nearly four years in various POW camps including Stalag Luft III. I'm...

Beauforts from St Eval in Cornwall were briefed to intercept the Bismarck, and the crews knew at the time that they could not make it there and back. High speed launches, they were told at their briefing, would pick them up when they ditched. Fortunately this operation was canceled when the...

Yes, that 70 knot indication is odd. All I can suggest is that these sights were updated from time to time. The Mark IX is basically the same as the Mark VII except with an extension for the airspeed 'arm' to cope with faster aircraft. The extension is no more than a wire square that makes it...

I know exactly what it is. It's from the "moving target attachment" of a British or Canadian (or even Australian) course setting bomb sight, (CSBS) Mark VII or Mark IX. I've attached a picture taken from eBay, where someone is selling the whole thing. The brass bar you have is one of two you...

I wasn't thinking of Japan, although I'm not surprised to know that the same tactic was used there. I really don't know much about that theater. I know that I read that Air Marshall Harris ordered armor stripped out of Lancasters, though.

I recall reading that RAF command (Bomber Harris) ordered armor plate removed from bombers, especially the Lancaster, so more bombing payload could be carried. I cannot find the reference just now, but it was later in the war when the bombing campaign was getting very intense.

I'm no expert so I'll confine myself to saying that the Bristol Beauforts I have seen in pictures have this instrument. The range of speed is about right, too. Also Coastal Command of the RAF would have had knots specified, as this instrument has, because they flew over the sea and had their...

I've done some internet searching and it seems it might be from a Tiger Moth. I'm not sure, as it looks a fair bit like a Defiant mounting tray. I can't get a really good picture of that set up, though. The p.8 and p.11 compasses were fitted to a huge number of aircraft, so I'm focusing on the tray.

Hello Everyone, I just got this compass and its mounting tray. It's RAF, a P.11 and the tray seems to be similar to that on a Fairy Albacore, but I'm willing to be corrected! All ideas gratefully received.

I assume that with the usual German thoroughness such logs were kept. I know the Scharnhorst sea-going logs were extremely detailed, even down to listing the number of antiaircraft rounds fired, and of which calibers. I think the Imperial War Museum in London has them. Allan

Many thanks! it's a great Archive!!