[GreenKeys] More on Model 29, et al

[Roy Morgan]

On Wed, Feb 14, 2018 at 1:52 PM, Sam Stinson <samstinson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> And remember, they never even heard of a computer!
>
> Well, not entirely true. Digital computers came about later, but there
> were analog computers in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including
> artillery fire control computers
>
>
Oh yes, oh yes!

As a youngster in the Navy (on the USS Massey, DD-778), I did see the
mechanical fire control computer, the Mark 1 or Mark 1A.

See:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_I_Fire_Control_Computer

"The *Mark 1*, and later the *Mark* 1A, *Fire Control Computer *was a
component of the *Mark* 37 Gun *Fire Control* System deployed by the United
States Navy during World War II and up to 1969 or later. It was developed
by Hannibal Ford of the Ford Instrument Company."

This thing was a bigger-than-a-refridgerator size monster full of cams,
motors, selsyns, gears, and other mechanical wizardry too complicated and
numerous to even list. It calculated with at least the following variables:

- projectile weight and powder charge
- nature of projectile fuse
- own ship's speed and heading
- true-magnetic bearing corrrection
- ship's position
- rotation of the earth
- distance to target
- sight angle
- target speed
- wind speed and direction

One picture in the images offered by Google shows 7 sailors around one,
presumably most of them having a part in running it.  The thing was
actually waterproof, I assume so in case the compartment got flooded, it
would still work!  Do take a look at the pictures to get some idea of how
complicated this thing was.

I wonder if the Mark 1 system was as complicated as any other mechanical
computer.  Maybe.  Possibly the Battle Ships with 18 inch guns had a
different system.



-- 
Regards,
Roy

Roy Morgan
k1lky since 1958
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