Astro Compass back into use

[Roger HartParticipant @rogerhart88496]

[Roger HartParticipant @rogerhart88496]

[Roger HartParticipant @rogerhart88496]

Recently dug the top half of this astro compass out of the junk box and made it functional once more. Handy for finding out if some planet or other is visible between the trees that mostly block my south view.

I always thought you would have to be in pretty dire straits to need to use one of these.

By way of confession, the bottom half got made into a harmonograph about 55 years ago.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Many heavy aircraft in the propeller era had an astro dome, this was used with a Sextant for daytime navigation. And the Astro compass with suitable charts for night navigation. It was a big thing with the RNZAF during WW2 flying Hudsons / Ventruders, and DC-3/C-47s up the Pacific, often escorting a squadron Of P-40s or Corsairs over thousands of miles of open sea to a pin point Island airfield. Also used on the Catalinas and Sunderlands on patrol.

Ian S C

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Very nice Roger, you have a pm!

The SAS had them on their 'Pink Panther' jeeps in WW2, for navigation.

If you are on solid ground they work as well as a theodolite, without the relatively delicate optics.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Also used by the Long Range Desert Group in north Africa in WW2.

Ian S C

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Ian S C on 08/10/2018 12:21:13:

Also used by the Long Range Desert Group in north Africa in WW2.

Ian S C

That's who I meant… they aided the SAS on some raids.

Neil

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