How To Make A WW2 Radio Compass Work

[@ryleymclean313]

Hi Frank. The instrument looks like its not flowing smoothly, consider looking for a vibrator inside the sealed unit. Some standby instruments in aircraft have small vibrators to ensure the smooth and accurate flow of needles and gears. Also the 2 voltage standards now adays are 14V and 28V at 400 Hz 115V/120V AC. I never knew it was 26V back then. A radio compass is old tech and I love to see them still in use. Its a shame they are overshadowed by VOR technology which is not much older. You can find old CDI/HSI instruments online, with HSI doing the job as a compass and a course deviation indicator. Pilots would also use their HSI's as makeshift radio compass since all you had to do was allign the course deviation with the knob until it was centred and you had the exact course to your VOR or TACAN. Got to love analogue technology. God Bless

[@HotRodHolman]

@ryleymclean313 Hi and thanks so much for your comments. You make some great points. Of course in WW2, the emphasis was on reliability, even while taking "incoming". The radio tuner that goes with this Indicator is humongous. I did find some schematics for it online which showed the corresponding other half of the Sel-Sync. This allowed me to find and connect a modern day Sel-Sync which would normally be mounted in the loop antena.

[@zisdeadbaby]

how about the gyro type compass please Frank

[@HotRodHolman]

Great idea... You got it. I actually have the gyro compass. They work off a vacuum pump driven by the engine. I just need a B17 engine to get my compass going. Just messing with you, an electric vacuum pump will work great. look for my implementation soon, and thanks for your suggestion.