From crash site of B-17. What is it?

[Matteo La Boccia]

Some information about this object? It came from a place near we find B-17 fragments. Waht it is? Someone have a photo of it complete? Thanks.

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

Hi, Im thinking it's an altitude compass. The object has your info stamped. cheers

 

[MilitariaCollector]

It is a WWII US Army Air Force pilot's air data computer. I think this one is similar to the type D-4, or something like that. There are a few for sale on ebay. You only have the front part, there was another dial with numbers on it that would show through the window depending on what the other settings the pilot set the dial to.

 

[taz42o]

Tells how they are used here.

http://www.gleim.com/aviation/computerinstructions.php

 

[chipveres]

You appear to have the top dial from a period-correct E-6B flight computer. I say "period correct" because they are still made today, but today's computers have the numbers painted or anodized on. Yours is engraved. If you are really lucky, it is engraved with its exact model number. That may be E-6B, or AN-C-74 or another number I can't remember right now.

Chip V.

 

[DCMatt]

As stated by others - flight computer.

Flight instruments back then were calibrated on the ground. When airplanes got up high in the air, the calibrations were no longer accurate. These flight computers were used to compensate or correct the high altitude readings on the flight instruments.

Nice find!

DCMatt