Rare German Aerial Navigation Instrument. 1920's
SOLD
Very nice quality aerial navigation instrument designed to calculate course, distance and wind drift. This instrument is based on the "Addison Lunard" calculator and was made for the German market, most likely during the 1920's.
This beautifully engineered instrument allows the navigator to determine how many degrees the aircraft is pushed off course by the wind and as far as can be determined it also calculates the ground rate and the airspeed needed to compensate. Constructed from aluminum (or duralumin) this instrument is made in the form of a circular disc of which it's outer chapter is divided into the degrees of a compass. Around the edge is a moveable pointer which allows the navigator to set (and then lock) the intended direction of travel. Another lockable marker can be fixed in the direction of the wind. The wind speed can then be set. Once this process has been completed, the instrument by ingenious means, calculates the wind drift and ground rate. The very upper scale can then be adjusted so that the airspeed needed to compensate can be calculated. This scale also swivels so that it can be set to the new course. Fixed to the end of this scale is a notch which presumably locates into a separate instrument which possibly transfers the course direction on to a map. In the centre of the instrument is a separate smaller disc which rotates, acting as a slide rule type calculator. Engraved into the reverse is a m/sec - km/st (km/h) conversion scale.
This piece was made in Czechoslovakia for the German market. The reverse bears the the makers mark, a biplane with the name "V. Hodek - Praha VII" (V. Hodek - Prague VII) above it. All the writing and scales are in German. Diameter of instrument : 133mm. Good condition (slight oxidization to metal).
------------------------------------------------------------
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR CURRENT INVENTORY
[ Top | Links | Feedback | Mailing List | Sold Items | Contacts ]
[ Web Site Home | Aviation Home | Motoring Home | Other Home ]
Copyright ©. 1998 - 2008. Chris Balm.