United Kingdom. A Royal Air Force P10 Aircraft Compass No. 29048 B In Its Wooden Case, Lancaster Bomber Type

The compass has a brass body finished in black, marked in 360 degree gradations with large white florescent markings for E, S and W and additional small white markings for NE, SE, SW and NW, the North (N) position in florescent white on a red inverted triangle. Immediately below these marks is a ring marked in single degrees around the circumference, with numeric marking at ten degree intervals. The sides are linked in the centre via a t-shaped parallel lines marking in white florescent and supported by a cross-shaped metal frame. It is functioning and maintains its liquid under the glass crystal. The black finished metal rim is marked "TYPE P.10." and "No. 29048 B", the rim secured in place to the body of the compass via eight small screws, the compass measuring 165 mm in diameter. The compass rests upon a bluish-gray finished metal base, the compass supported by a series of springs, the base with a release bar affixed on the side, the top of the base marked "AFT", a plate affixed to the side stamped with the British Broad Arrow acceptance mark and "6A/167L", with three feet affixed to the bottom, the compass and base combination measuring 180 mm in diameter x 90 mm in height. The compass is housed in its bluish-gray painted wooden box, marked with the British Broad Arrow acceptance mark and stencilled in white ink "TYPE P10" on the front panel, stencilled in red ink on a white background "DELICATE INSTRUMENT TO BE HANDLED WITH GREAT CARE" on the front and back panels and "GLASS WITH CARE" on the lid, white cotton webbed carrying strap affixed via two screws to each of the side panels, two hook closure on the front. It is stamped in black ink "JPLD 5" within a circle on the inside lid, two wooden blocks secured in place via u-shaped copper plates on either side of the inside lid, the ends of each block covered in strips of green felt, and when closed, slide down between the edge of the box and compass, the lid secured to the box via two hinges. The base is designed with a recessed area for securing the compass in place, the box with light soiling on the lid and measuring 230 mm (w) x 230 mm (l) x 140 mm (h). Extremely fine.

Footnote: The P10 Compass was used in larger transport and bomber aircraft and was standard issue compass for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. (C:208)