Sperry Gyropilots and Torpedo Gyroscopes

We are told that the "V1 gyro" from Ringinglow is actually a Sperry gyropilot as illustrated in this pic from the manual. They were apparently fitted to C47s and early B17s.

But others claim it is a GA VIII Gyroscope from a WW2 German G7e torpedo. The torpedo gyro pic below (from German Wapedia) looks pretty convincing to my inexpert eye, there are so many points of similarity that this must be it, or a very close relative.



So who missed the sea by 100 miles?

Ringinglow V1 gyroscope?

This was apparently found near Ringinglow, and is believed by the finder to be a V1 gyroscope, despite no reports of V1s in the area.

For some reason, this was our most popular Flickr picture ever. 2250 views as of now...

Armstrong Vickers Wellington Mk.III BJ652 coded Z

Some well-preserved bits of geodetic found earlier in the week on an outing with Welsh Barry near the site of the Smerill Wellington.

Miles Master Mk.III W8474

A day out with an assortment of air crash site old-timers today, visiting the Broken Ground Liberator as well as this memorial to a fatal training accident (Pat Cunningham gave it a less charitable description) suffered by a Polish pilot.

Location: SJ 99530 95530

For more info, click on the pic for memorial text

Miles Master Mk.III W8474

A local enthusiast (who incidentally witnessed the crash first-hand) has amassed this collection of scraps from the crash site.

Location: SJ 99772 95326 (crash site)

Consolidated Liberator PB4Y-1 63934 USN

We were shown where a number of previously buried components of this Liberator were concealed today by the people who had hidden them.

We'd never have found some of them without this help.

This cylinder barrel comes from one of the two engines which were relocated.

Location: SE 00838 01630

Consolidated Liberator PB4Y-1 63934 USN

The second, more complete engine relocated today was reportedly rolled quite a way downhill by just one man.

Location: 365m from the main wreck site. Is this a record for single-handed engine-rolling?

Consolidated Liberator PB4Y-1 63934 USN

These undercarriage and nose-wheel components have risen mysteriously out of the peat since our last visit

Location: SE 00872 01595

There is incidentally a second undercarriage leg still buried

Location: SE 00820 01669

More info