Hello again,
I appologise for all the questions from a ‘newbee’!!
I have a type 0.3. compass in its original (and crudely repainted box) which is fitted with an azimuth circle. There are various air ministry inspection markings on the box dating from 1923 to 1937.
Despite ‘googling’ this type of compass I have not found any reference to a type 0.3 or which aircraft (if it was a plane compass) it would have been fitted to.
Is anyone able to offer any assistance?
Kind regards,
Ross
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th June 2024 at 17:50
This of any use?
By: RRAC - 15th June 2024 at 14:13
Hello,
I learned a bit more. There is a photo and information on the Compass, Type O.3 here:
https://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm
And a description here:
https://compassmuseum.com/images/aero/flight_july_25_1929_p_786.jpg
This compass was intended for use by an observer onboard an aircraft (hence the “O” part of its designation, O.3). It was similar to the O.2 but with a prismatic sight. When used on RAF armoured cars it was fitted with a domed glass.
It seems to have made use of luminous paint on its dial, so the usual radium paint warnings and precautions apply if you have one.
Mark
By: RRAC - 14th June 2024 at 22:07
Hello,
And as another ‘newbee’ I appologise for dredging up an ancient post, but I think I have an answer for you and anyone else who might be curious! The Type 0.3 compass was used on the cars of the RAF’s Armoured Car Companies. I am uploading a couple of pages from the 1931 RAF Armoured Car Manual that describes the care and use of this compass.
I’d love to see photos of it as I am also coming up empty on my Google searches. I have many distant shots of RAF Rolls-Royce armoured cars carrying a compass atop their turrets, but without a clear photo of a known Type 0.3 compass, I can’t be sure as to what I am seeing.
Let me know if it needs a good home!
😉
Mark
aka RRAC
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June 7, 2009 at 8:03 pm
