Compass Adjusting Circle?

Anyone know the use, information and if any markings are placed on the circle for calibration? If you have an arial phto of actual circle please post.

TY

Bob

Hi Bob, all the old RAF ones I've seen have been blank. I thought they were just an area away from all magnetic interference where the aircrafts compass could be calibrated against a master compass.

I googled it and found this: http://www.ehow.com/how_5996853_make...pass-rose.html which I think says the same thing.


Of course lesser air forces may have done it differently. ;)

Thanks Clive

I imagine the IJA would have parked their ac there and adjusted the compass. Hard telling what would be the marking of the compass points without an aerial from 1944.

TY again

Bob

Have no info from back then, but days they tend to have plain bitumen or use another large bit of taxyway, and someone walks around the outside with handheld compass so the aircraft can sight the direction, I think. Civil use anyway.
Don't know if helps.

Hello Bob, I've seen pics of civilian compass adjusting circles which have attractive compass roses painted on the tarmac, but the thought occurs that a military airfield wants these like it wants signs saying "bomb this airfield". The RAF had actual turntables on fighter airfields to speed up compass swinging but they appear unmarked:-


http://www.spitfiresite.com/photos/h...ing-721083.jpg



so I'd say the most marking would have been small plaques for set compass headings around the site. The Germans laid theirs out with neat (brass?) plates marking each heading bedded in the concrete, I've seen photos from a Norwegian airfield showing the usual Teutonic rigour.

The markings are very unlikely to be visible unless you're standing on the spot, so could be ignored for CFS3 terrain and facilities

Thanks Tom for the further enlightenment. If you notice to the right of the compass circle there is another circle with the marking of turntable. The writing is a bit hard to read due to the placement of the runway path by myself. Pity that the 1944 topo I have is made from Allied aerial recon photos. It would be interesting to find Japanese diagrams of Heito.

I believe you are correct in that for a military airfield markings would be subdued.

TY again

Bob

Hello to all

I'm not used to post but may be those links are of some interest for you,
only the german ones.

From the probably well known LEMB (Luftwaffe Experten Message Board) http://http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1591&hl=compass&st=0

You have to register before access.


Another interesting site (but sorry only in french) about old airfields :

http://www.anciens-aerodromes.com

On this page about Berry au bac - Juvincourt, pictures 6, 7 & 8

http://www.anciens-aerodromes.com/?p=3029