Aircraft compass?

[p-59a]

A friend of mine found this in his grandfathers garage today. His grandfather was in the USAAF during WW2. I assume this is an aircraft compass. Any thoughts as to what it came off of?

[p-59a]

more pics

[p-59a]

still more pics

[blinky]

It's a Mark I compass from a twin engine army aircraft such as a light bomber or transport. Dated October 1939.

Edit: the Mk. I was used on the Ki-57 transport

[Papa Nambu]

I have one like it (still working with the liquid inside and a light) so I had the answer, but Blinky beat me to it.

You can see one between the 2 pilots on top of the panel in the photo below. That's a Ki-21

[p-59a]

Thank you guys very much!!! One last question, what value should my friend place on it for home owners insurance?

[J7W22007]

That' s a very nice example of Type 1 liquid compass (Late type).

Three companies made the late type:

東京計器製作所（東京航空計器） - Tokyo Instrument Manufacture (Tokyo Aviation Instrument). (Still present)

横河電機製作所 - Yokogawa Electric.
(Still present) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokogawa_Electric

品川製作所 - Shinagawa Manufacture. (Still Present)

This example was from Shinagawa Manufacture.

The major difference between Early and Late type is:

Early - lighting system is set vertically under the front glass dome.

Late - lighting system is set horizontally under the front glass dome. (Photo 5)

Type 1 Liquid Compass (Late) were installed in the following IJA Aircrafts:

九一式戦闘機 - Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajim...ype_91_Fighter

九五式一型練習機 ３型 - Tachikawa Ki-9 Model 3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-9

九七式重爆撃機１型 - Mitsubishi Ki-21 1a, 1b
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-21

九八式直接協同偵察機 - Tachikawa Ki-36
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-36

九九式高等練習機 - Tachikawa Ki-55
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-55

一〇〇式輸送機 - Mitsubishi Ki-57
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-57

Best regards,

Taka

[p-59a]

That' s a very nice example of Type 1 liquid compass (Late type).

Three companies made the late type:

東京計器製作所（東京航空計器） - Tokyo Instrument Manufacture (Tokyo Aviation Instrument). (Still present)

横河電機製作所 - Yokogawa Electric.
(Still present) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokogawa_Electric

品川製作所 - Shinagawa Manufacture. (Still Present)

This example was from Shinagawa Manufacture.

The major difference between Early and Late type is:

Early - lighting system is set vertically under the front glass dome.

Late - lighting system is set horizontally under the front glass dome. (Photo 5)

Type 1 Liquid Compass (Late) were installed in the following IJA Aircrafts:

九一式戦闘機 - Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakajim...ype_91_Fighter

九五式一型練習機 ３型 - Tachikawa Ki-9 Model 3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-9

九七式重爆撃機１型 - Mitsubishi Ki-21 1a, 1b
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-21

九八式直接協同偵察機 - Tachikawa Ki-36
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-36

九九式高等練習機 - Tachikawa Ki-55
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachikawa_Ki-55

一〇〇式輸送機 - Mitsubishi Ki-57
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Ki-57

Best regards,

Taka

Taka, Thank you very much for the added information. My friend was stunned at how fast the group came up with an identification. Great job guys!!!