WWII Part - Bendix Radio Type IN-4A Radio Compass Heading Indicator B-17 B-24 B-25One very very nice wartime Type IN-4A Radio Compass Indicator as manufactured by Hickokfor the Bendix Radio compass system as used in both the Army and navy bombers and transports of the during the war years. Standard 3 1/8" in panel mount here.
No data plate on this one - just the instrument manufacturer's data stamped softly into the back of the steel cabinet. The instrument face is marked:
BENDIX RADIOTYPE IN-4ASER. NO. 0 8883
And as Gump would say, that's all I have to say about that. I could say it's similar to the early I-65 Army Air Forces example as that one as well used the little airplane silhouette that was usually replaced with just a straight center needle as the examples progressed during the war years.
Nice heavy instrument with what I suspect is a radium face. Mustard-colored markings on this one. I have not tested it to see hot hot it is, but I did do suspect it's a radium faced unit.
So this instrument is a basic radio compass heading indicator as used in conjunction with the Bendix Radio Compass system. This one is one of the earlier war examples as it's got the little aircraft silhouette on the centerpoint reference of the face.
The indicator was mouted in the main isntrument board and receives an electrical signal from the internal radio compass system that receives a signal from a ground station - usually at an airport but often used in synch with civilian radio stations along a specific route via an externally mounted antenna system.
It's used as a signal reference. If the radio station (transmitting on the ground) is to the Left or Right of the aircraft, the needle points to the left or the right, prompting the flight crew to turn towards that station, along the needle to center. A centered needle meant the aircraft was "on course" or essentially in-line with the radio station itself, providing for a reference point. Primitive, yet effective.
All-metal cabinet and it's I have not bothered to clean it, but the cabinet is straight and isn't rusty. A little dirty from years of shelf storage. Nice metal case with no damage. No dust or bugs or dirt behind the glass. Nice mustard and white markings. The thin rubber gasket behind the glass has pulled away slightly at the 11 o'clock poisition on this one, but it's an easy instrument to open and re-set the gasket. Perfect panel filler if you are rebuilding a bomber or transport panel. It's a wee dirty looking and could use a proper cleaning with glass removal and cleaning behind it to crisp it out. For an 80-year-old instrument it's got nice mustard colored needle graphics and markings. All four panel capture nuts on the back of the instrument housing. Note that special Bendix radio connector end.
Something of a harder instrument to source. They're an obvious favorite with the bomber crowd.
Radium faced? Perhaps. Haven't scanned for it and it doesn't glow on the shelf at night. As such this sale is CONUS ONLY. International purchase will be cancelled as we do not have proper export license for military hardware and if scanned and any radium detected the instrument is confiscated and destroyed by Customs. Much as we like to support restoration projects out-of-country, please be advised this instrument isn't for you.
Ships cheapest via USPS Ground Advantage or FedEx Ground unless you direct otherwise. Questions? Please ask seller.And thanks for looking!
