Deryck
November 5, 2006 at 10:23 pm

Halifax Bombing plates and a Lancaster Emerg. Bombing computer.

We have had 4 – Armourers and Bomb Aimers Plastic instruction plates donated to the Halifax project. These are each about 5″ square, Armourers instructions are on one side and the Bomb Aimers instructions on the reverse. They bear AM numbers 5D/1136, 1139, 1144 and 1145.

Does anyone have any idea how these were used and where they were stored in the aircraft?

We have also received an Emergency Computor, Ref. No. 9/2648 for Bombsight Mk XIV Computer Ref. No. 9/2636. It measures about 7.5″ square and it is double sided MPH on side and Knots on the other. It is labeled “Lancaster”.

Was this kept in the aircraft or was it part of the Bomb Aimers “tools”?

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By: Cees Broere - 6th November 2006 at 18:37

Thank you Turretboy, 682AL, Cees – you guys are amazing.

I hate to turn stuff over to the Curator and tell her that I do not have a clue! That just consigns it to a dusty shelf.

Thanks guys.

Deryck B.

Deryck,

I have some dusty shelves too, with some space to spare 😀 😀

Cheers

Cees

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By: Deryck - 6th November 2006 at 14:26

Halifax Bombing plates.

Thank you Turretboy, 682AL, Cees – you guys are amazing.

I hate to turn stuff over to the Curator and tell her that I do not have a clue! That just consigns it to a dusty shelf.

Thanks guys.

Deryck B.

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By: Cees Broere - 6th November 2006 at 13:49

Thanks Alan for explaining. I have one of those bomb loading plates too and I always wondered whether it was located in the aircraft or not. I recently found out that similar plates were carried in a storage case in the bomb aimer compartment of the Wellington, so your answer confirmed my hunch. 😉

Cheers

Cees

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By: 682al - 6th November 2006 at 10:42

Here’s a partial answer, Deryck, an extract from A.P.1086, Part 3C showing that these plates are used in conjunction with components 5D/662 and 5D/1067 which are the covers for the Bomb Distributors, Type VI (16 point) and VII (32 point).

Hence, I would assume that it would be part of the armourer’s job to select the relevant Tablet (according to the bomb load being carried) and to display it somehow on the Distributor’s cover ( I haven’t got one to hand at present so I’m unclear on how he would do this. Some kind of holder, presumably). The bomb-aimer would then follow the instructions and ensure the necessary settings were made on the Selector Box and Distributor.

Regarding the Emergency Computor, I get the impression that it was carried by the B/A as part of his kit. Although, to me, it would seem logical to keep one in a stowage somewhere in his compartment, I cannot recall a mention of one in any A.P.

Thanks for posting these images, Deryck. They have brightened up an otherwise dull monday morning.

A P.M. to follow…

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By: turretboy - 6th November 2006 at 03:01

another note…..

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By: turretboy - 6th November 2006 at 02:47

Hi Deryck,

I had a look through my notes and did manage to find some info on the emergency bombering computer. I hope it is of some use.

I’ll see if I have anything on the plastic instruction plates.

Cheers,