My own little piece of a Norden Bombsight (I really need to get out more)

[bushmaster1313]

Have fantasized about the Norden Bombsight since I was a kid.

Saw this Made in U.S.A. Jaeger Disk Speed Indicator for the Norden Bombsight on eBay and I had to have it.

J.W. TESTED 9-2-44
ACCEPTED 9-5-44

This might be an indication that I have lost my bearings as well as my impulse control

Google Maps-304 East 45th St. NY, NY

Jaeger-LeCoultre - Wikipedia

This link explains a bit about how it was used
WWII Army Air Forces JAEGER TACHOMETER DISC SPEED INDICATOR Norden Bombsight | #480456473

 

[SC_Mike]

How much was the rest of the B 29?

 

[bushmaster1313]

How much was the rest of the B 29?

Should I change the title of the thread to: "My own little piece of a B 29"

 

[DWalt]

I've read that there was nothing secret about the Norden Bombsight. There was a German spy working at the factory who was feeding everything about its design directly to the Nazis, who in all likelihood were sharing that information with the Japanese. Only problem was that Hitler and Tojo didn't have any heavy long-range high altitude bombers which could take advantage of such a bombsight. Despite its "High Tech" design, the Norden was reputed to not produce very good accuracy results on target. Standard practice was that every bomber in the formation would dump its bombs whenever the lead bomber dropped its load, essentially producing nothing better than random hit dispersion.

 

[16thVACav]

Very cool!

 

[dben002]

No, you don't need to get out more, you just need a change in your diet....for 3 weeks, 3 days a week, for lunch, Spam Sammich on rye with mayo and Hines 57 with cole slaw and carrots, slim milk, and strawberry yogurt.

You will be back to your normal self soon.

 

[ancient-one]

That is neat and something that is a part of our history.

 

[J. W.]

Very cool!

Speaking of Norden bomb sights, I snagged a ride in a B-17 a couple months ago. Here's a shot of the sight I took just before climbing into the bombardier's seat.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...not in the same league...but thanks to Ebay...I own a Mach Meter (speedometer) from a Russian Mig 21...goes to Mach 3...

 

[richardw]

Now you have to look for the rest of the bomb sight and buy a B17 and you are ready to go. No 2A protection thought so do not fly over NY, NJ, or CA. The air police might get you.

 

[WR Moore]

From the description, that's a calibration tool for the sight, not really a part of it.

The story I heard on the Norden was that someone managed to get part of the blueprints out and forwarded them to one of the Axis powers (Germany?) before the US joined the war. Allegedly, whoever received them couldn't figure out what it was for and destroyed them.

 

[bushmaster1313]

From the description, that's a calibration tool for the sight, not really a part of it.

I believe you are correct

To me it serves as a connection to the Norden. The Norden wasn't much good without it, and some would say it wasn't much good with it.
Most important, it's a connection to the American military personnel of WWII.

Also, it is a complete self-contained piece of precision machinery, boxed, with instructions and calibration sheet, and in proper working order.

 

[DWalt]

For those interested in such things, a very good read is
Bombs Away: The World War II Bombing Campaigns over Europe
by John R. Bruning

It has quite a bit to say about bombing strategies in the ETO and equipment, including bombsights. I gave my copy away, but wish I had kept it.

 

[rwsmith]

I love old instruments...

I love old instruments, especially when they have historical value and this one has great historical value. Top secret during WWII with orders to destroy rather than falling into enemy hands. It seems Germany knew about it all along. I wonder what an Enigma goes for? Well, how about one wheel from an Enigma?

 

[jeffsmith]

I Highly Recommend this Book
I Had a WWII Bombardier read it and he was surprised in some of what he learned

It basically covers the History and Use of the Norden

 

[Frank46]

Reminds me of the hand held mechanical tachometers I used when doing overspeed checks on steam turbines. Normal rotating speed was 3600 rpm. Trip speed was 3950 rpm. Frank