astro-compass mark II
Datecirca 1940
Inventory NumberDW0915
ClassificationAstro-compass
Subject
Maker
W. W. Boes Company
fl. 1940s
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionscompass: 20.5 × 13 × 8 cm (8 1/16 × 5 1/8 × 3 1/8 in.)
case: 14.5 × 25 × 13 cm (5 11/16 × 9 13/16 × 5 1/8 in.)
case: 14.5 × 25 × 13 cm (5 11/16 × 9 13/16 × 5 1/8 in.)
Material
AccessoriesBakelite case with instruction manual and advertisement
Bibliography
DescriptionStandard military issue astro-compass in plastic storage box. This instrument has an alidade ("star sight") with a lens, mounted on a declination scale. Below this is the north hour circle and south hour circle on a drum. The drum is adjusted for latitude by a scale on one axis and a knob on the other. There is a micrometer screw of fine adjustments. The drum is carried on two uprights that sit on top of the azimuth circle. The azimuth circle rotates with respect to a tab with the lubber's line (marked "TRUE HEADING" with an airplane). The tab has crossed bubble levels.
The instrument sits on 3 feet, 2 of which are leveling screws. The feet are attached to a mounting bracket or stand.
Box has a canvas strap. The maker's label is missing from the top of the box. There is an instruction booklet in the box and an advertising flyer for war surplus instruments. The advertisement is trimmed and does not show the firm's name.
The instrument sits on 3 feet, 2 of which are leveling screws. The feet are attached to a mounting bracket or stand.
Box has a canvas strap. The maker's label is missing from the top of the box. There is an instruction booklet in the box and an advertising flyer for war surplus instruments. The advertisement is trimmed and does not show the firm's name.
Signedon instrument label: The W. W. Boes Co. / DAYTON, OHIO, U. S. A.
on instruction booklet: The W. W. Boes Co. Dayton, Ohio
on alidade: W W / B / CO. [in a circle]
Inscribedon instrument label: ASTRO-COMPASS MK II / SER. A.C. [illegible strip] PART NO. 94 / CONTRACT NO. W535 AC 36491
on underside of lubber's line: AN / V196 [in circle]
FunctionThe astro-compass is designed for celestial navigation in an airplane. With it, the navigator can determine the true heading of the aircraft, the true bearing of a distant landmark, and the relative bearing of a distant object.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from an army surplus store, 1946.
W. W. Boes Company
Date: circa 1944
Accessories: Instruction booklet (lib. 5155), case with strap, advertising flyer
Object number: 1996-1-0479
Sperti, Inc.
Date: circa 1944
Accessories: case with strap
Object number: 1996-1-0480
W. & L. E. Gurley
Date: ca. 1884
Accessories: solar attachment; case; level; green filter; sun shade; tripod (5163b)
Object number: 5163a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: wood case; leather case; right-angle prism; plumb bob; oil flask; tripod (5174b)
Object number: 5174a
Adam Prazmowski
Date: circa 1877
Accessories: carrying case; winding key; instruction sheets
Object number: 1997-1-1701
W. & S. Jones
Date: circa 1839
Accessories: 4 eyepieces; case
Object number: 1996-1-0001
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1825-1843
Object number: DW0519
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1919
Accessories: oculars (2): 3, 8x; accessory box; Leitz objectives (5); wrenches (2); ground glass; N.A. 1.45 condensor cap; Abbe condensor; rotary stage; case
Object number: 1345
W. Watson & Sons Ltd.
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: oculars (2 pairs): B and D; objectives in marked canisters (4): 1/4, 1/2, 1, 3 inches; condenser with iris diaphragm; rotating wheel diaphragm; iris diaphragm; set of 4 disk diaphragms in brass box; triple nosepiece; live box; prisms for Wenham binocular system (2); stage for simple microscope with rotating wheel diaphragm; vulcanite stage; spare knobs (2); parts box; case
Object number: 1249