[Milsurplus] Norden & the Autopilot

[Mike Hanz]

Michael Tauson wrote:

>Hi, Clete,
>
>
>>> The way a bombardier explained the Norden to me back right after WWII the autopilot was not connected to the bombsight.
>>
>>Hmmm ... interesting.  The reference I saw said it
>>was, though it may have been late in the war and not
>>universally installed.  I shall have to research this.
>>

I don't know about other aircraft, but on the B-29 it was /definitely/ 
connected - I've seen it in the book of schematics that I donated to the 
NASM after we finished reassembling the Enola Gay in 2003, and the 
actual autopilot connector box on the Norden was just installed last 
August.  That way the Norden could effectively fly the aircraft on the 
final part of the bomb run.  The bombardier kept his eye on the prize, 
so to speak, and any small adjustments he made on the Norden were 
reflected in the autopilot servos which flew the aircraft.  The release 
of the bomb(s) could be automatic as well, depending on whether 
bombardier chose to do so.  Not all of them did, apparently...there is a 
certain satisfaction to stabbing the drop button, I suppose.  :-)    
Even the sequencing of the bombs was automatic, through a timer, though 
that was separate from the Norden - it's the lower intervalometer in the 
second photo at http://aafradio.org/NASM/Bombardiers_Station.htm.

Best 73,
Mike