Mk XIV bombsight control

I’ve just been studying the Vol. I for the Mosquito B. IX and I’ve come across something which may be of interest.

Read the description of the control unit which was situated behind the pilot’s seat. It sounds very much like this item.

This surprises me as at least one of my Bombsight A.P.s includes a diagram showing the Mk. XIV installed completely within the Mosquito’s nose, i.e. sighting head and computor, so no need for a remote control box. Perhaps this unit was part of an interim solution in order to get the Mk. XIV ‘sight into the Mosquito airframe a.s.a.p?

I’ll be heading off to Kew soon and will make a point of checking the Vol. I for the B.XVI and B.35 to see which installation they had.

Another mystery item solved, perhaps?

Thanks both, if AM doesn’t know it couldn’t have been a common fitment!

Carpet / area bombing would certainly make sense with what the computer seems to do.

Is it fact, or common misconception that the AM crown signifies pre 1944 manufacture?

Will have to look at the APs available at Kew!

TEC

I think austerjn673 has pretty much summed up my thoughts on it.

I have no confirmation of this though. I have more bombsight APs than I can count and there is no mention of this unit in any of them.

If it is something to do with blind bombing then perhaps the answer lies in a still undiscovered file at Kew. I might add a reminder to my next “to do” research list.

I believe it was fitted to late war aircraft to be used in conjunction with H2S and blind bombing techniques to allow the Navigator to control the release of bombs. without further reasearch I don’t think it was widely used and may even be a postwar addition. Hopefully Air Ministry might be able to add more info.

We have a nice H2S set on display at our museum at Metheringham Airfield, if any are surplus to requirements then we would certainly be interested to make the fit more complete and purchase one please.

I’ve got one of those and have been meaning to post exactly the same question! I haven’t been able to find any reference to it at all.

Andy