Type B-2 inclinometer, what was it in

[Matt Gunsch]

I got this when I was working at Moseley, I have no idea what it is out of, other than maybe a blimp, but the AF never flew blimps in WWII. so, any guesses ?
It is locked right now, normally the pointer would be at 0, and the small pointers can be set for reference points.
TYPE B-2
SERIAL NO. AF43-1261
SPEC. NO. 27333-A
MFRS. PART NO. 5010
ORDER NO. AC-31747
JAEGER WATCH CO. INC NEW YORK

[retroaviation]

I have one of those also and was wondering the same thing...what's this out of???

Gary

[Old SAR pilot]

Deleted

Last edited by Old SAR pilot on Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Matt Gunsch]

I thought of a blimp as well, however, it is from a USAAF contract and has AF as a part number. If it was Navy I would think it would have Bu air numbers, and have been produced under an navy contract.

I used mine in my Dragonfly Tri-gear during flight testing for degrees of pitch during manuvers such as stalls, climb and desents.

[retroaviation]

I used mine in my Dragonfly Tri-gear during flight testing for degrees of pitch during manuvers such as stalls, climb and desents.

Great minds think alike, Matt! I was going to do the same with my racer when I got it finished.

Gary

[Taigh Ramey]

It is a total shot in the dark as I have no supporting documentation but my guess would be that it may have been used for bombing.

Each bomber had climb and glide charts for bombing. With a glide bombing attachment bombers could vary their altitude during the bomb run for evasive maneuvers so flak would not zero in on altitude. Each bomber had a chart showing what was the maximum climb or glide angle for bombs released from specific bomb stations. The lower stations could typically drop at steeper angles than the upper stations.

Although most all bombers came equipped for the glide bombing apparatus there seems to be little information or documentation on just how extensively it was used. We all have seen lots of formation bombing still images and motion pictures and they all seem to be bombing from level attitudes. Has anyone heard of formation glide bombing or was this practice limited to individual aircraft?

I find this instrument very fascinating, especially with its Army nomenclature and contract information, and I will try to find out more about it.

Taigh

[Matt Gunsch]

Taigh,
it sounds reasonable but I see 2 problems with it. The instrument must be mounted perfectly vertical for it to read 0, and it will only work in a panel that is like a pilots panel, it will not work on side mounted bombadiers panel, and the pendulum is not dampened in any way and it is quite sensitive.

Still wondering what this went in.............

[retroaviation]

To further expand on what Matt was describing, here are a few pictures. Sorry for the poor quality of the one. And like Matt mentioned, this thing is extremely sensitive. It doesn't take much movement whatsoever for the needle to start moving. Neat instrument indeed.......








Oh, and the one I have reads exactly what Matts reads on the data plate, except my serial number is a little over a hundred numbers off.

Gary

[Taigh Ramey]

If it was used for glide or climb bombing it would have been mounted in the pilot’s instrument panel as he would be flying the aircraft and referencing the instrument. The C-1 autopilot could be set up for a climb or glide but not by the bombardier, just the pilot, as he had the control head in the cockpit.

As I said this is purely speculation as I have never seen this instrument in a panel but I also haven’t been looking for one either. I have some instrument catalogs at the shop maybe they can shed some light on this cool instrument.

[Sully]

Upper left.

From a picasaweb site for a ride in a Goodyear Blimp.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_OpZd3ayUdeA/RO0ZW ... G_8003.JPG

Sully

[Matt Gunsch]

Sully, that link did not work

[Sully]

Try this.

http://picasaweb.google.com/msheppard/20060823BlimpRide

Lower Inst panel then hit the magnifing glass in the upper right corner.
Sully

[Tom Crawford]

Calling Tom Friedman....

[Taigh Ramey]

Found it:





If you ever see a shot of the instrument installed in a WWII panel I would certainly like to see it.

If you all would ever part with your inclinometer, or come across another one, please keep me in mind as I would like to pick one up to go with the bombing equipment collection in our little museum.

Thanks,
Taigh

[Sully]

Taigh,

Check the link above in Old SAR pilots post. They are looking for an offer.

Sully