ScarboroughSeadog Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 Howdy folks- my grandfather brought this back from WW2. He said it was from a glider in Sicily. That’s all I know- see the markings. Is it from a Horsa? Or an American glider? Is it from a gunsight? My grandfather is long gone and my Dad is trying to research the gyroscope, without much luck. Grateful for any thoughts! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runflat Posted December 30, 2023 Share Posted December 30, 2023 Try the Museum of Army Flying, whose collections include gliders; or the Assault Glider Trust. The De Haviland Museum also has a Horsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted December 31, 2023 Share Posted December 31, 2023 It's a vacuum operated gyro so likely from an attitude indicator or a directional gyro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mk3iain Posted December 31, 2023 Share Posted December 31, 2023 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Adrian Barrell said: It's a vacuum operated gyro so likely from an attitude indicator or a directional gyro. Absolutely, and it is likely just the inner gimble . If you picture it with a second gimble to give freedom of movement, then sealed in a case with a tube vented to outside air pointing at the groves/vanes. The case is then subject to a vacuum and the tube "blows" the rotor and spins it up. It can be mounted with a spring instead of the second gimble to provide rate of turn. A bit basic but they worked on early a/c and other things. Still in use on vintage aircraft, I worked on a 30s Beechcraft a few years back and the "auto pilot" was also vacuum and pressure operated with bellows etc. Sorry, my original trade...🫢 How they get the vacuum. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/january/flight-training-magazine/what-am-i-vintage-venturi Edited December 31, 2023 by Mk3iain More stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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