USAF TYPE HS33 HEADSET, circa 1940

Headphones used by the United States Air Force, in various aircraft during WW2. Consisting of Western Electric receivers type ANB-H-1, and HB7 headband, the set is known as type HS33.

Donated by John Atter.

A1673

LANCASTER NAVIGATORS CHART TABLE PLOTTER, circa 1940

The chart table plotter would sit on the navigators map panel fixed to the left hand side by the hinges seen on the main slide on the right of the picture. A plastic rectangle could be turned to any angle and fixed by tightening the round knob above, this assembly, which could be moved across the map without the angle of the plastic rectangle being changed.

Donated by Owen Jones.

A1670

MK1X AM BUBBLE SEXTANT , 1943

A Bubble Sextant is used normally on an aircraft to obtain the altitude of the sun or other celestial object, whilst keeping the unit level by means of bubble' in a chamber filled with liquid inside the unit. It also has a hook on the top in order to hang it in the Astro dome of an aircraft when available. See also Item A0910 Astro Compass Mk 2. The two were usually used together.

A1600

BLUE PARROT AIRBORNE RADAR SYSTEM, 1962

First introduced experimentally into Buccaneer aircraft of flight Squadron 701Z in April 1959, the Ferranti 'Blue Parrot' airborne radar was in full service by 1962. Built to detect Russian heavy cruisers, which it did successfully, it was employed by the RAF who relied on its service for twenty six years.

Employed in Buccaneer aircraft for both the Falkland's and Gulf war, 'Blue Parrot' was kept in service for over 30 years, making it's last NATO exercise in the North sea in 1994. Unsophisticated by modern standards, 'Blue Parrot' made up for it in sheer power. It opened new horizons in the 1960's and nothing at the time could challenge it.

Picture bottom left, A= Visual display unit Type unknown. Bottom Right B= Drift Angle/ speed indicator, Type 101. C= Bottom Centre ADF Receiver, Type 2830. E= Top centre DF Loop Controller Type 384. F= Top right Receiver Controller Type 1274. Item E the Radar Interface Unit is not shown. Also shown two photographs of some of the units in a Buccaneer aircraft cockpit.

Donated by Marconi Museum

A1358

WWII FLYING HELMET TYPE 'B MASK TYPE 'D' and RCAF GOGGLES, 1940

Helmet Mask and Goggles used during the Battle of Britain by RAF crews. The helmet was made by I.Compton & Sons & Webb Ltd .

Mk3 RCAF Goggles. 1935 Royal Canadian Air Force Type
Introduced around 1935 Mk3 Goggles used curved celluloid lenses fitted into narrow blackened metal frames with velveteen cushions and large leather surrounds intended to protect the wearer from the elements (most RAF fighter aircraft in service in the mid-1930's were still in open cockpits). these were superseded by the Mk4 version as the the Mk3's strap fouled on the earpieces of the type 'B' helmet. the Mk4 is far more likely to have been used during the Battle of Britain.

A0849 A0991 A0990

WWII FLYING MASK TYPE 'E' HELMET TYPE 'C'

Flying Mask and Helmet that replaced the Type 'B' helmet and Type 'D' mask, with goggles of the period.

A0189

FLYING MASK 'H' 'G' HELMET AND GOGGLES, 1950's

Flying Helmet that replaced the Type 'C' and Type 'E' mask, with goggles of the period.

A0190

WWII FLIGHT NAVIGATORS COMPUTER

Flight Navigators Computer Mk3* used during WW2 enabling fast calculations,for Navigators during flight.
Notice the straps which were worn around the legs.

A0859

WWII AIRCRAFT GYROSCOPE

Using 3 phase current, commonly used on large aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster, this gyroscope would have been the central part of the aircraft's stabilising system.
Here it is mounted on a board for demonstration and training purposes.

A0203