Liquid compass - aircraft

Liquid compass

Bowl: Black painted brass, combined filler plug and expansion chamber at base. Inside of bowl painted white. The lubber lines are formed by a wire running across the bowl under the verge glass and then down each side of the bowl through holes provided in the ledge on which the verge glass rests. Mounted in a suspension system which consists of two metal rings of square section, the upper one carrying gimbal journals in which the bowl and gimbal ring are mounted. This ring is attached to the lower one by metal blocks and in turn is secured to a mounting bracket in the same way. The whole is mounted on a wooden framework which carries a rectangular wooden block on which two magnet carriers are secured. Each rack has two magnets let into recesses.

Card: Mica ring? White with black markings, graduated to 360 degrees, attached to a white painted float at centre. Float has a red line running from centre to North point.

Needle: Unsighted.

Pivot: Unsighted. Inverted type.

On wooden base 4.75" x 6" x 1" (12.0 cm x 15.2 cm x 2.5 cm)

O.A. Height 12.75" (32.4 cm)

Object Details

ID: ACO0585.1
Type: Liquid compass - aircraft
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: 1914-18; 1914-1918
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 75 mm x 120 mm x 132 mm
Parts: Liquid compass - aircraft