1930's 5D 566 Bomb Distributor Unit instructions

Let her go

4. Upon setting of calculator wind the clockwork arm anti clockwise to the start position. The Air Force understands that your aircraft may be subject to turbulence and musketry from the ground. Do your best. Remove the panel allowing you to sight the ground and take aim. The course setting bomb sight is equipped with a foam rubber eyepiece but the Air Force accepts no liability for eye injuries sustained in squinting through the sight. In generality the effect of bombs dropping within 100 yards of the target is sufficient for Police Action.

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Smartly lift the release toggle on the bottom centre of the panel to allow the clockwork arm to rotate clockwise and make contact with the electrical striations of the calculator.

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Tally Ho !
In an emergency, when you need to immediately jettison all bombs, you may depress the short circuit arm on the upper portion of the panel. Doing so above Headquarters will result in you being subject to Air Force disciplinary action.

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Get the Gunner going

In the Air Force we pride ourselves on the latest in Scientific Bombing. We have invested heavily in the development of electro mechanical controls which are superior to cable release systems. Because this modern equipment has yet to proven in war conditions we have not removed the conduits for bomb release cables in the wings of the Australian Demon. At any time it is possible to refit the proven cable release system which we have chosen to retain in the latest sleek Bomber monoplane, the Avro Anson.

In order to train Bomber Air Gunners we have accordingly introduced the electro mechnical bomb release calculator into service. It is incumbent that you become familiar with its proper use. These instructions are issued to authorized personnel engaged in 3 BAGS. Personnel are reminded that service equipment is subject to the Official Secrets Act.

1. Upon confirmation from the pilot, BAG to assume bomb aiming position and open the cover to the calculator situated on the port side. You must clearly agree air speed on target by reference to the pilot. In this example, we will activate the port side light series carrier. Switch No’s 1-4 master release switches on the top of the panel on.

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2. We will be releasing 8 1/2 lb practice smoke bombs as a preliminary warning to fractious tribesmen. These do not require any fusing control and will detonate upon impact. At this time of stringency in the economy personnel are reminded that the Air Force cannot afford to drop too many HE bombs.

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3. Upon agreeing on airspeed over target, you must adjust the sliding scale to control timing of bomb release. The centre scale, terminating in a red dot, indicates Air Speed divided by a factor of 10, eg 20 = 200 miles IAS. When the speed is set against the arrow inscribed in the arm above the Air Speed scale this will then indicate the spread distance in feet of bomb impact on the ground. We acknowledge the Scientific Bombing is in its infancy and we are bombing from a height in which the whites of their eyes are visible. Of course, if the pilot changes the Air Speed, the straddle distance on the ground will change if the calculator setting remains unchanged. You must hold course and speed irrespective of chunks of aircraft falling away around you ! The Empire expects you to do your duty.

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Loosen the knurled knob on the scale and set the possible permutation of straddle for agreed speed, or, devise an ideal straddle for the target and advise the pilot what speed to maintain. Camel trains may be approached at higher speed than single elephants.

Step by Step

Ed,
There’s no better description than that given in AP1095 dated 1935. I’ve copied the relevant paragraphs from a PDF I have into a Word document, but at 1.1Mb it’s too big to attach. If you PM me your email address I’ll send it.
Andy

Compliments of AndyY herewith step by step instructions for the operation of the bombing system on a 1935 Hawker Australian Demon. I think that any well rounded individual ought to know how to hop into a one of these fine aircraft or its contemporary Hind in case it is necessary to straddle some recalcitrants in Waziristan.

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Step 1 : Enter into the pilots cockpit. On the upper centre of the panel is the bomb system master switch. Activate this in flight by a prompt and resolute flick.

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To the left of the Master Switch is the Pilots Jettison release. It is not the pilot’s task to release bombs, but the Air Gunner/Bomb Aimer in the aft seat. However, if the Air Gunner is incapacitated, or, for the safety of your aircraft you need to jettison bombs, you may do so using this switch.

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Lift the safety cover on the switch and press the globe smartly to release bombs.

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It is a shame to go all that way and release bombs without some attempt to straddle the yelling tribesmen. You may use the pilot’s remote release, holding the control column in your right hand, the release button in your left and looking over the side.

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Thank you

Ed,
There’s no better description than that given in AP1095 dated 1935. I’ve copied the relevant paragraphs from a PDF I have into a Word document, but at 1.1Mb it’s too big to attach. If you PM me your email address I’ll send it.
Andy

Andy, fantastic, thank you, PM sent, Ed

Ed,
There’s no better description than that given in AP1095 dated 1935. I’ve copied the relevant paragraphs from a PDF I have into a Word document, but at 1.1Mb it’s too big to attach. If you PM me your email address I’ll send it.
Andy