Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is just amazing, a genuine vintage World War Two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress pilot’s complete C-1 Autopilot Formation Control Stick Assembly. This is the only complete C-1 Autopilot Formation Control Stick we have ever seen outside an airplane with Control Panel and Function Selector, a very rare piece of iconic WW2 equipment just perfect for your home or office!
The World War II formation control stick was used with the C1 autopilot for the Norden bombsights used on B17, B24 and B29 bombers. A requirement for the successful use of the Norden bomb-sight was a steady and controllable aircraft platform achieved by use of a gyroscopic autopilot. Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company developed and produced the C1 autopilot as an improvement over the original Sperry Gyroscope autopilot.
This formation stick was an improvement added to the original C1 autopilot. The original C-1 autopilot required turning rotary knobs for course corrections and control of the plane, when the Norden bombsight was not controlling it. This formation stick was mounted to the left of the pilot and right of the co-pilot where the armrest would be. It allowed an easier control of the plane when flying formation to the bomb site. It also had a trigger switch for use of the communication microphone and a transfer switch on top for transferring control between the pilot and co-pilot.
These Formation Control Sticks were part of the first mass produced fly by wire aircraft control system. The electronic "fly by wire" control is now used on many of today's modern aircraft.
To complete this ensemble is the Type C-1 Autopilot Control Panel and the Type C-1 Autopilot Function Selector! The autopilot control panel provides the pilot with fingertip controls by which he can conveniently engage or disengage the system, adjust the alertness or speed of its responses to flight deviations, or trim the system for varying load and flight conditions.
This is a wonderful set that comes ready for display!
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