My Dad told me story about the war on Boxing day…:rolleyes:
He was an RAF engine fitter. In late 1945/early 1946 he was posted to RAF Polebrook. Apart from hangars full of Harvards and Mossies, there was a lone Spitfire, which my father used to sit in to get out of the cold and drink his tea…
Not sure what mark, although definately Merlin engined. Camouflage finish with a yellow P mark.
Now the interesting bit…
Along the bottom of the instrument panel was a row of switches marked ‘Climb’, ‘Dive’, ‘Bank Left’, ‘Bank Right’ etc… Anyone got any thoughts what this was for??
He never saw it fly during his time at Polebrook.
He’s a mine of info – WHile he was there, brand new Stirlings were being flown in from the factory – to be scrapped… but thats another story…
Regards
Nige
By: Nige - 28th December 2006 at 23:10
Thanks for the replies so far…
I dont think it was a practicle joke – my dad is sure it was ‘real’. It also had the yellow ‘P’…
Regards
Nige
By: Puukka - 28th December 2006 at 09:32
I wonder, if it might have been a remote control for a kind of photo reconnaissance camera.
Herbert
By: JonathanF - 28th December 2006 at 00:28
No idea why an autopilot system (particularly of such early vintage) would have “momentary” inputs; the idea of an autopilot is to hold a given course (or at least to keep the aircraft straight and level), isn’t it?
Could it have been a misremembered practical joke along the lines of “push forwards, houses get bigger” etc?
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December 27, 2006 at 11:28 pm