compass vertical card type 5/17

Hi Everybody,
as you can see I am new to forums, I was searching for info on what type of aircraft held this compass as I have put one on ebay, I have some information from RAF Hendon in north london and photos of the compass for anyone who may be interested.mick@taxi99.freeserve.co.uk

[Machinbird]

Here is the link to this sale:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3605%26fvi%3D1
Very interesting. It appears to me that while most of the German instruments were centrally purchased by the government and distributed to the airframe manufacturers, British instruments (and French too), seem to be in such variety that it seems the airframe manufacturers were probably the ones purchasing them. Does anyone know if this analysis is anywhere near the mark?

[Jim]

Is it a military compass? I don't see a broad arrow on it, nor any Air Ministry markings or such. I should imagine something that would have cost more than a few pence such as an aircraft compass would have at least a broad arrow much less an AM and crown to show it was government property lest it "walk away" with no one the wiser.

[wulffo]

Originally Posted by Jim

Is it a military compass? I don't see a broad arrow on it, nor any Air Ministry markings or such. I should imagine something that would have cost more than a few pence such as an aircraft compass would have at least a broad arrow much less an AM and crown to show it was government property lest it "walk away" with no one the wiser.

None of the UK instruments I have are marked with an arrow and the A except for the Mark iv and Mark v pilot watches. My Hughes and Son compass certainly does not have military markings. Maybe, as they were screwed into the instrument panel there was no need and anyway, this type of compass is a bit too big and to cumbersome to be of use elsewhere.

[Marco_Sommerau]

Originally Posted by wulffo

None of the UK instruments I have are marked with an arrow and the A .

Oliver, all UK wartime instruments (alts, ASIs, manometers, thermometers, clocks, etc) I had ALL carried the arrow and the "A" letter (including these I got from you in the F2B panel!), but I agree, with the exception of the compasses. By the way, I have one similar 5/17 compass available for sale or trade (needs some restoration, relic from a crashed plane in Flanders during WW1) if any of you needs it, send me an email.

(Oliver: I finally got my own "Schlegelmich", hurrae!!! I'll send you a photo)