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sink-me
First "True" Compass Guides Fliers to Target
Hailed as the greatest advancement in its field in 4,500 years, the Gyro Flux
Gate compass is guiding U. S. bombers to remote enemy targets and home again. The
new compass, developed by the Bendix Aviation Corporation, requires no "correction
card" which is necessary with magnetic types because it gives the "true" reading.
This eliminates the danger of error by pilot or navigator in the heat of combat.
The flux gate compass uses the earth's magnetic field to develop minute electrical
impulses which, when amplified, turn the compass indicator. The impulses are taken
in through the "flux gate" which receives and rejects the magnetic flux from the
earth. The flux gate is a triangular-shaped coil attached to the bottom of a gyroscope
which keeps the unit on a horizontal plane. This compass will not go off its reading
when a plane dives or climbs rapidly, according to W. A. Reichel, director of engineering
for the Bendix company. The needle will not lag or overshoot during a turn, nor
does it "hunt" back and forth in rough weather. It functions perfectly within 300
miles of either pole, regions where magnetic compasses are useless. This factor
is expected to play an important part in postwar aviation along arctic routes. Because
the transmitter of the compass can be located at a distance from the indicating
dial, it can be installed. on a plane where it will not be affected by metal parts,
such as armor plate, that impair the accuracy of the standard compass. As many compass
dials as are needed for the crew can be mounted in a bomber. Development of the
compass was made public only after one of the instruments fell into enemy hands.
Bendix officials believe it will be impossible for the enemy to duplicate the performance
of the compass during this war.
Compass transmitter is shown on the tail of the plane (top left) with master
dial on the nose, amplifier in center. Above, testing new compass; left, "fins"
used on the compass
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