Unknown device - Aircraft of World War II

VALENGO · 11-20-2008, 10:12 PM

I need help to identify this device, it seems to be intended for keeping level fly or for steady diving angles, but no idea about age or machine in wich it delivered service.
Any suggestion, thanks (the device is heritage from an old uncle, now passed away).

timshatz · 11-21-2008, 10:52 AM

Looks like some type of range setter for an artillery piece. That's the best I can think of offhand. But somebody on this board will know more.

Couple of questions:
-Is there any writing on it? If so, what kind?
-Any stamps or manufacturers marks on it?
-Any dates?

VALENGO · 11-21-2008, 02:28 PM

Yes, I always assumed that it is for a flying machine, but, now that you say it, it could be for artillery. Good approach.
There is no ID stamps (only the serial number that can be seen) no box, no papers.

Airframes · 11-23-2008, 07:41 PM

Without knowing its size, it's difficult to tell, but it looks like it could be one part of a 'sight' as used on mortars, or on machine guns used in the sustained fire role. This would be aligned with two or more marker posts, and elevation etc set by using the scale calibrated on the quadrant. The principle is not unlike a theodolite or sextant. It is very possible that, as already mentioned, it is off an artillery piece.

VALENGO · 11-26-2008, 11:10 AM

The chevron is 4 cms long. Is reasonable to think that the device is detachable to avoid damages due to the burst.

timshatz · 11-26-2008, 11:50 AM

If you have any friends who are civil engineers, they might be able to help you with it. The principles of artillery direction and aspects of civil engineering are very similar.

Aussie Mossie · 12-15-2008, 06:09 AM

As a retired Artillery Officer and Civil Engineer I can say I have never seen one of these objects.

The scale appears to be too coarse for artillery, you would need to be able to set angles to minutes to be effective.

It could be a means of measuring the angle of a crane Jib.

VALENGO · 02-03-2009, 08:59 PM

So, we must talk again about an "angle of dive measuring" device, because in this kind of use minutes of arc was not critical at all.

ausflyboy · 02-04-2009, 03:05 AM

I'm thinking searchlight.... something like the 105cm Fortress type.

I saw a similar device attached to the fortress searchlight at a museum a few years back

Sweb · 02-07-2009, 12:47 PM

Cool stuff. Haven't a clue. Does look like some type of an inclinometer. Dial in the desired inclination and then adjust the equipment until the bubble is centered. It has a mitered way for quick-mounting. Did any dive bombers use this kind of stuff to achieve desired dive angle?

VALENGO · 02-08-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote: Dial in the desired inclination and then adjust the equipment until the bubble is centered.

Yes, and it is a "head up" device because you must watch the bubble with help of the mirror.

12-15-2008, 06:09 AM	#7
Aussie Mossie Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Mystery Object As a retired Artillery Officer and Civil Engineer I can say I have never seen one of these objects. The scale appears to be too coarse for artillery, you would need to be able to set angles to minutes to be effective. It could be a means of measuring the angle of a crane Jib.

02-08-2009, 11:25 PM	#11
VALENGO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Zárate city, Argentina Posts: 167	Quote: Dial in the desired inclination and then adjust the equipment until the bubble is centered. Yes, and it is a "head up" device because you must watch the bubble with help of the mirror. Last edited by VALENGO; 02-08-2009 at 11:27 PM.

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11-21-2008, 10:52 AM	#2
timshatz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, Pa Posts: 3,446	Looks like some type of range setter for an artillery piece. That's the best I can think of offhand. But somebody on this board will know more. Couple of questions: -Is there any writing on it? If so, what kind? -Any stamps or manufacturers marks on it? -Any dates?

11-21-2008, 02:28 PM	#3
VALENGO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Zárate city, Argentina Posts: 167	Yes, I always assumed that it is for a flying machine, but, now that you say it, it could be for artillery. Good approach. There is no ID stamps (only the serial number that can be seen) no box, no papers.

11-23-2008, 07:41 PM	#4
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,062	Without knowing its size, it's difficult to tell, but it looks like it could be one part of a 'sight' as used on mortars, or on machine guns used in the sustained fire role. This would be aligned with two or more marker posts, and elevation etc set by using the scale calibrated on the quadrant. The principle is not unlike a theodolite or sextant. It is very possible that, as already mentioned, it is off an artillery piece.

11-26-2008, 11:10 AM	#5
VALENGO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Zárate city, Argentina Posts: 167	The chevron is 4 cms long. Is reasonable to think that the device is detachable to avoid damages due to the burst.

11-26-2008, 11:50 AM	#6
timshatz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, Pa Posts: 3,446	If you have any friends who are civil engineers, they might be able to help you with it. The principles of artillery direction and aspects of civil engineering are very similar.

02-03-2009, 08:59 PM	#8
VALENGO Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Zárate city, Argentina Posts: 167	So, we must talk again about an "angle of dive measuring" device, because in this kind of use minutes of arc was not critical at all.

02-04-2009, 03:05 AM	#9
ausflyboy Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bribie Island Posts: 29	I'm thinking searchlight.... something like the 105cm Fortress type. I saw a similar device attached to the fortress searchlight at a museum a few years back

02-07-2009, 12:47 PM	#10
Sweb Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 277	Cool stuff. Haven't a clue. Does look like some type of an inclinometer. Dial in the desired inclination and then adjust the equipment until the bubble is centered. It has a mitered way for quick-mounting. Did any dive bombers use this kind of stuff to achieve desired dive angle?