Does anyone have the mounting bar that fits in the astrodome spare or to send photos and dimensions
in order to try and make a copy to fit it the Varsity. Also does anyone have details of the mod to replace the astrodome with a flat plane presumably fitted to a standard astrodome base with a flat sheet of aluminium
to hold the mounting as fitted to the Canberra ,Vulcan and many others to hold the later sextant.
Regards
Graham
By: VARSITY - 25th May 2016 at 19:48
I agree the sextant hangs from a hook in the top of the astrodome. The Astro compass arm was kept in a frame on the starboard side of the plane opposite the astrodome. This fitted on clamps either the port or starboard side of the astrodome. I am trying to make one up so wanted to see an example. The mod to the planes was just a separate astrodome with a flat top and the later mounting where the sextant fits through a hole into the slip stream. The number 1 &2 Air Navigation school aircraft I believe all had a clamp to hold the spare astrodome behind the starboard navigators seat. Also the later sextant fitted in a mounting on the floor on the starboard side just behind the main spar. I have noted the astrocompass mounting in your photo thanks.
By: TerryP - 25th May 2016 at 17:55
I thought the astrodomes had a bent bar across them upon which there was fitted the Standard 6A/366 which in turn the Astro Compass clamped into, and that they also had a hook at the apex of the dome from which to hang a bubble sextant. But I never worked on them so could be wrong. Not aware if they were ever modified to take periscopic sextants.
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May 25, 2016 at 11:24 am