Clockwork sun compass - aircraft

Clockwork sun compass

The base is supported on a ball and socket joint and there is a central bubble level. The bearing plate has a central clamp and an index at the after side with a second moveable index to allow course and bearings to be read off magnetic. On the bearing plate are fixed sights for taking relative bearings and support for the clock dial trunnions.
By one trunnion is a latitude quadrant, with scales and indices for N & S latitude. The dial plate can be turned to allow for longitude. The dial plate is a clock face with a minute hand and a perspex style which takes the place of an hour hand. This style consists of a perpendicular portion of of a cylinder throwing a line of light onto the base target plate, covered by a perspex dome. The perspex style has a perpendicular as well as a base target plate.

O.A. Height 7.1" (18.0 cm)

Object Details

ID: ACO0597
Type: Clockwork sun compass - aircraft
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1945
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Admiralty Compass Observatory
Measurements: Overall: 120 mm x 190 mm x 150 mm