Summary
Aircraft 'computor' bombsight, serial number 508/59. The bombsight was manufactured by H. & B. Precision Engineers Ltd, Manchester, England, circa 1959. A gyro component attached to the item was manufactured by Ferranti Ltd, Moston, Manchester, England.
It is of the type fitted to the Mark 8 bombsight used in English Electric Canberra bombers manufactured at the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF), Fisherman's Bend, Victoria, between 1952 and 1959.
A paper label on the back suggests it was never fitted to the aircraft: 'REMOVE PACKING BEFORE / FITTING TO AIRCRAFT'. Another label adhered to the back, which might be a calibration record, is dated 20 Nov 1970.
A paper label on the back - 'REMOVE PACKING BEFORE / FITTING TO AIRCRAFT' - suggests it was never fitted to the aircraft. Another label adhered to the back, likely a calibration record, is dated 20 Nov 1970.
One of two bombsights purchased in 1975 from the Department of Manufacturing Industry (ST 029000 and ST 40178), registered in 1975 and some time before 1995. Documents in the Museums Victoria Archives show they were purchased by the Science Museum of Victoria in March 1975 from the Department of Manufacturing Industry at a cost of $2.00 for both. Sales Advice SN36077, dated 20 March 1975, discusses arrangements for sending them to the museum. A letter from the Department of Manufacturing Industry to the Science Museum of Victoria, 14 Jan 1975, advises that they were 'declared surplus by the Department of Defence (Air)'. They are described as 'being usable without repairs, fair condition' and are located in the Department of Manufacturing Industry Auction Store, Hale St, Botany, NSW. Department of Manufacturing Industry correspondence related to the purchase was given file number N540/11/933. Their identity is confirmed by the identity number on the correspondence, '1280-E9-4567'. This corresponds with markings on the bombsights: '9/4567'.
Physical Description
Black rectangular metal box within metal tubular frame, with dials, controls, knobs and connection sockets. Two paper labels tucked into plastic sleeve which is attached to the back cover.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Manufacturer
H & B Precision Engineering Ltd, Manchester, England, Great Britain, circa 1959
Estimated date of manufacture based on serial number. -
Manufacturer of Component
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Used By
Australia: Supply Department, Government Aircraft Factories (GAF), 226 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend (Fishermen's Bend), Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1959
Installed in Canberra Jet Bombers built by the Government Aircraft Factories, Fishermans Bend, Victoria. -
Date Inscribed
20 Nov 1970
Hand-written paper label on the back appears to be a calibration list. It is dated '20 NOV 70'. -
Inscriptions
Metal plate on side: 'COMPUTOR BOMBSIGHT / TYPE T-4 / REF. No. 9/4567 / SERIAL No. 508/59 / H & B PRECISION / ENGINEERS LTD.' On gyro component: 'GYRO. UNIT MK. 9. / ST[Illeg.]RF. No. 6G/2 SERl. No. 297/56 / FERANTI Ltd / MOSTON, MANCHESTER. ...' Paper label on back, held with masking tape: 'REMOVE PACKING BEFORE / FITTING TO AIRCRAFT'. A further hand-written paper label on the back appears to be a calibration list. It is dated '20 NOV 70'.
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Brand Names
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Object Dimensions
560 mm (Width), 247 mm (Depth), 433 mm (Height), 21.76 kg (Weight)
Depth measurement includes protruding gyro and dials. Depth of main unit: 177mm
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References
Museums Victoria - Older System files 10365 and 10366.
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Keywords
Bombsights, Computers, Computing, Military Aircraft Components
