On behalf of some Dutch researchers,this object was found and dug up at the crash site of Lancaster LL840 In Holland which crashed on June 22nd 1944(Squadron Leader Cole and crew) This object is 1 and a half inches(62mm) in diameter and 1 inch thick.It weighs 650 Gramms. The markings are 17Q above the central hole and 8825 is below with a ratchet round the circumferance.The object is made from 2 parts brass,a base cup and a flat disc for the top,which would be filled(maybe with Lead or other substance).The central hole is bushed with a steel insert. Can anyone help in identifying what this object is?
It's just an idea.........perhaps a flywheel of a gyrocompass or gyroscope....The ratchet round the circumferance would then be used to drive the flywheel by means of pressurized air taken from dynamic pressure. Regards,
Alexander
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HIS NAME I OFT RECALL. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ANSWER BUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL
Hi The gyrocompass is not in fact a compass but simply a gyroscope working by the inertia that such instruments generate. To use it for directional purposes you would have set it from a normal Magnetic compass and the gyro would have remained stable as the a/c moved around it's 3 axes. The magnetic compass was extremely sluggish in responding to movement but, when still, very accurate for direction. By transferring, at a quiet moment, the magnetic reading to the gyro it enabled the crew to keep accurate track of direction at all times. The "moment" was usually during start-up. The magnetic compass was affected by the metal and electric fields in the a/c but any innaccuracies were measured and compensated for by taking the a/c at intervals to a designated area on an airfield and crosschecking the a/c compass against a Master ,separate, compass.In this context the lead content of linda's "object! would have been made irrelevant Regards Dick
Linda R Ibrom
