Bomber Command nut Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Fantastic feat of flying and courage to fly on and drop the bombs before returning. 'NK' home of 550 is not that far from me so its nice of you to share these photos from the station and of your grandfathers aircraft, do you know the aircraft's serial ? Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackyracer Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 20 minutes ago, Derek B said: Amazing story (and bravery), thank you. Derek Derek B and Uncarina 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) Don't know if this is any help, it's the internal framing of "Just Jane". She was a very late-war Lanc, never saw active service but was scheduled for "Tiger Force" in the Far East, finally bought by the French for air/sea rescue duties. Edited February 19, 2021 by mozart monthebiff, Uncarina, Dennis7423 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber Command nut Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) Hi Max thats a good photo showing the timber frame aft of the nav's position . . . also the larger dome at the rear of the canopy which also came late in the war apparently to house the larger Sextant apparatus used by navigators . . . Ian Edited February 19, 2021 by Bomber Command nut Derek B, mozart and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 10 minutes ago, Bomber Command nut said: Hi Max thats a good photo showing the timber frame aft of the nav's position . . . also the larger dome at the rear of the canopy which also came late in the war apparently to house the larger Sexton apparatus used by navigators . . . Ian Cheers Ian. I’m surprised that sextants were still considered as operational equipment late on, I thought it would have been superseded by Gee, Oboe, Loran etc etc. Sticking plasters maybe, assuming the navigators were still trained to use them! Bomber Command nut 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 6 minutes ago, mozart said: Cheers Ian. I’m surprised that sextants were still considered as operational equipment late on, I thought it would have been superseded by Gee, Oboe, Loran etc etc. Sticking plasters maybe, assuming the navigators were still trained to use them! When you've had an ack-ack shell through your instruments, the stars still work! Richard Bomber Command nut, mozart and Derek B 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) 6 minutes ago, RLWP said: When you've had an ack-ack shell through your instruments, the stars still work! Richard MORE: Casual googling brought up this document, including this Air Commodore Bill Tyack: Quote I started my navigation career some 30 years ago in Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft. In those days, the Shackleton’s radio navigation systems, such as ADF, CONSOL and LORAN and the Doppler navigator, were not totally reliable for long range navigation; it was often very difficult or even impossible to detect the signals in noise and the coverage was by no means global. Once we were out of radar range of land – which was most of the time on Shackleton sorties – the only navigation aids which were totally dependable were watch, compass, drift sight and hand-held sextant It mentions sextants on the Vee bombers and Canberra too Edited February 19, 2021 by RLWP mozart, Bomber Command nut and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 13 minutes ago, RLWP said: When you've had an ack-ack shell through your instruments, the stars still work! Richard Only if you can see them Richard! Derek B, Bomber Command nut and Uncarina 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek B Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, mozart said: Cheers Ian. I’m surprised that sextants were still considered as operational equipment late on, I thought it would have been superseded by Gee, Oboe, Loran etc etc. Sticking plasters maybe, assuming the navigators were still trained to use them! They were still being taught (in the RAF) to trainee navigators until well into the 70's! (it probably went into decline with the retirement of the Varsity and Hastings aircraft, but obviously, not the Shack!). Cheers Derek Edited February 19, 2021 by Derek B mozart and RLWP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) I should have checked my library! This book was given to me by a friend who trained as a navigator and saw service on Hastings (you reminded me Derek) and was involved in the Berlin airlift. He finished up as a Group Captain and Station Commander so did quite well for himself! All way too complicated for my poor brain!! Edited February 19, 2021 by mozart Alain Gadbois, Derek B, Uncarina and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 Here is the Navigation computer they used: Jari Dennis7423, Derek B, Uncarina and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozart Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Yep, Dalton computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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