Probably bomber periscope, looking for any information

Hello!

Terry Parker – 10th April 2023 at 20:42 

E10 appears to be ‘looking’ down rather than “on top”.

My periscope is looking down too. Oh yes, strange thing… But it was first thing, that gave me an idea, that this periscope is from aircraft.

This on top drift sight was trialled in the Nimrod Mk1. It was positioned as shown at the pt beam lookout fwd bulkhead as per E10 in the aircraft layout shown and exited the lower fuselage just forward of the pt fwd bomb door. See attached location pics. Apparently the system proved to be unreliable and they were not used.

As an addition to my previous post, on one detatchment to Gibraltar, the aircrew were “entertaining” a couple of elderly ladies, and showing them around. After convincing them that the safest place to sit on an airliner was next to the Black Box, (well they always look for it after a crash), the crew were asked about what the periscope was for.

With a slightly strained strait face, the crew told them that when hunting submarines, the Nimrod flew low enough, so that with the bomb doors opened all the way up (as for loading weapons), the periscope could be used to look under water for the target. The two old dears went away quite happy. (well they had been hitting the booze somewhat).

The periscope on the Nimrod MR aircraft was for inspecting the bomb bay for any hang-ups, or in one notable case, for spotting a bomb bay fire. It was certainly not nearly as long as the original pictured item.

Incidently, it could give you a nasty headache, if you forgot it was there whilst moving around when working in the bomb bay. I speak from experience as an ex Nimrod Armourer, who spent 7 1/2 years working on them.

E10 appears to be ‘looking’ down rather than “on top”.

I was given very useful information in one forum and I would like to share.

https://newsassets.cirium.com/Assets/GetAsset.aspx…

This is a link to an article about NIMROD MR.1 and we can see the drawing. Pay attention to the object numbered E10. This periscope is labeled E1O “On-top” sight”, which matches the name on both the box and serial number tag. The equipment in the blueprint looks exactly like the top of my periscope. It turns out that similar equipment was used for navigation and control from below the aircraft. Used on early NIMROD MR.1

This is a minus of Internet communication, that you will never understand how we communicate, in what tone and mood. I beg your pardon, in no case did I want to hint that there is something bad in our communication, I correctly understood the question. Thank you very much for your help! I already wrote to them. But here’s what’s interesting .. I wrote in groups on Facebook, where there are former pilots from these aircraft. And they say they have never seen such devices on board. The task becomes even more difficult and even more interesting. I will wait for answers from other museums.

Heaven forfend, I wasn’t suggesting that you have anything to hide, Lavrentiy. I was simply interested to know the item’s provenance. After all, most items that come up here for identification aren’t still in their original packaging – and rarely does an individual have 31 of them!

As to museums with a Nimrod in their collection, you’ll find a fairly comprehensive list at http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=590.

I don’t know who submitted this for sale. It was a private person. However, I managed to get information. That a certain person handed over equipment that was in the possession of a private individual after he passed away. Neither the previous owner nor the stock knew what it was and called it “submarine periscopes”. Here is such a story.

What you haven’t said, Lavrentiy, is how and where you acquired the periscope. The fact that it is crated suggests that it was ex-stock.

Hello everyone!

I just received reply from National Museums Scotland.

Just want to share it with you. Next steps I need to visit or contact to museums which have Hawker Siddeley Nimrod on exhibition. 

Here is the answer:

“I must confess I’ve not seen one of these before and thus it is difficult to be certain about its history and use. However, I can tell you that the second part of the serial number in image indicates that it dates from 1972. Going by what is stamped on the side of the wooden crate, this appears to be an On-Top Drift Sight. These seem to have been used, but only very rarely, on Hawker Siddeley Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft and I can only assume it was used for long-range navigation, presumably over open seas, to measure drift due to wind and thereby allow for adjustments to course.”

So, it is really interesting case for me. And I hope, for you too.

The Vulcans and I believe Victors had Rear View Periscopes with windows above and below the fuselage but note that this one says on the box “On Top Drift Sight” 6B/2208155. Most drift sights looked below and backwards. The Canberra PR9 had a Reconnaissance Viewfinder  (6B/3124) too, which was another sort of periscope arrangement.

“I would guess looking at the colour this is more to do with the Navy rather then aviation ? I think the word ‘Periscope’ is a giveaway”

Having a periscope in an aircraft is not uncommon. For example, Charles Lindberg’s “Spirit of St Louis” had one, VC10s had one which could be fitted in four locations, and at least some of the V bombers had them.

The periscope in question seems much longer than others I have seen.

I would guess looking at the colour this is more to do with the Navy rather then aviation ? I think the word ‘Periscope’ is a giveaway