Unknown Luftwaffe Camera Equipment

[harrison987]

Does anyone know what the heck this was used for? According to the data plate, it is a Drift and Ground Speed Indicator. There is also a big lens (similar to the recce cameras) installed inside.

Possible for Reconnaissance or Bombing?





Thoughts?

Thanks!

Mike

[Revi16]

The operation of some drift gages is by dropping a small parachuted weight (looks like a bomb) out of the bottom of the aircraft (usually through a drop tube).
You then look through a periscope (might explain the lense), which looks out the bottom of the aircraft and track the parachuted weight in relationship with the aircrafts course.

Regards,

[harrison987]

hmmmmmmmmm...interesting...

What aircraft would this have been installed on? I could not find it in regular parts manuals...


Mike

[chuckschmitz]

A driftmeter would have given you the drift left or right of the course based on winds. This would have been used to give a course correction to the pilot. Would have been used for navigation and I would imagine for bombing. Is the lens clear?

Chuck

[harrison987]

Hi!

Lene is clear, but the entire unit needs a clear internally...

[Dan Gilberti]

Hi, perhaps the same

Amic, dan

[harrison987]

It is the same...but for what aircraft?

Mike

[von Lutz]

<P>Very interesting, I have the control box and connecting cables shown on Dan's drawing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Have searched for its use but have never seen in in any German aircraft.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>von Lutz</P>

[stephen f. polyak]

Guys,

A thought. May not have been standard, common fit on primary combat airplanes, but perhaps employed for flight testing, systems calibration, weather monitoring; i.e., specialized applications. Also represents pre-/early war technology; drawing is dated 1940.

Steve