WW2 Aircraft torpedo Computor??

[butterfly]

This item has been laying around in my collection for some years and I would like to know if anyone has any more information about it. It is, what it says it is, a Computor Type F, for use with the Aircraft Torpedo Director Type F Mk1 but that apart I know nothing about it. As you can see from the pictures there are setting dials for 'ship inclanation, wind direction and wind speed', these appear to be set manually. There is also a window in which can be seen the speed of the ship, this appears to be set automaticaly. There is another window on the front which shows 'Pilot Aim Off', this I assume is the all important computation which the pilot has to fly in order for the torpedo to hit home. When you consider all the variables, not least the function of the torpedo alone, its a miracle that any ship was hit! From what I have read on the subject, release at almost 'point blank' range under a barrage of flak seems the only sure way!!!
I will put more photos on following this to show the cover off. Underneath is a storing place for a second arm to be fitted. As you can see there are two techniques involved, 'constant bearing technique' and 'straight running technique', each have a different arm which fits in place (presumably this was already decided upon before the mission, as you wouldn't really be wanting to mess about last minute?), you will see these in the following photos. So there you have it 'Computor Type F' for use with Aircraft torpedo director type F mk1!! One last thing its weight 10kg!!
So the questions I put to you are:-
Has anyone come across one before?
What aircraft was it used in? What does a 'Aircraft Torpedo Director Type F Mark 1 look like?
Any information welcome.
If not I hope you have enjoyed looking at this unusual item
regards
Kev (Butterfly)

 

[butterfly]

More Photos for you



These are more photos this time with the cover off!!!
Kev

 

[butterfly]

Two more pictures showing size.



Last two pictures I took, so you can gauge the size of the computor.
Regards
Kev

 

[Fuzeman]

Hi Kev
A letter to the RAF Museum at Hendon could give you some information or perhaps IWM Duxford maybe able to help!
Steve
Can you photograph the circuit diagramme please it may hold some clues.

 

[butterfly]

re Wiring diagram

Hi Kev
A letter to the RAF Museum at Hendon could give you some information or perhaps IWM Duxford maybe able to help!
Steve
Can you photograph the circuit diagramme please it may hold some clues.

Thanks for your advice Steve, will probably do that at some point. Have put on the photo of wiring diagram you requested (just noticed the wiring diagram is for the director!, not computor)
hope its of some use
regards Kev

 

[Fuzeman]

Thanks Kev
Wot no Valves ! its all servos and motors , and gears , will try to Google it to see what appears.
Steve

 

[butterfly]

Update....

I have just received another part for this unit........... a 'Gyro Angling Power Unit'.
The wiring diagram (post 5) shows the circuit for this unit in relation to the computor -( it is attached via a 7-pin electrical connector to the Computor unit.) Now I am assuming that this piece is for setting the Gyro Angle on the Torpedo itself? To the top is a small pulley wheel, which may suggest it was suspended in some way so as to be able to move and not fixed solid? (the pulley does not do anything other than act as a pulley). The 'bottom' end has a two pronged arrangement inside of which is a cylindrical projection which has a large slot cut into it. This rotates and can be manually operated by removing the small covers and turning a knob beneath one of them - perhaps this is for initial allignment purposes rather than just checking the item functions correctly? As well as turning around the cylindrical projection is also able to move, albeit in a limited way, side to side (see photo 8 below - this shows the limit of the side to side movement) - again I suspect this would take into account the movement of the torpedo when fixed in place beneath the aircraft?
It is clear that the whole unit is motorized and is controlled by the Computor. The other electrical connector is for the Type F Torpedo Director - I have no idea what this looks like as I have never seen one.

Now since my original post I have found out that these were fitted to the Barracuda aircraft. I have no idea if they were fitted to other aircraft as well or how effective the system was. It does appear though to be a system designed to drop torpedoes from aircraft which were gyro angled. This would mean an alternative to running directly at the target. My initial thoughts are that it simply adds another variable to the many parameters surrounding the dropping of a torpedo from an aircraft. Books I have read about this time period seem to suggest that the only way to effectively attack with a torpedo was practically at point blank range allowing only enough time for the torpedo to arm itself!! I would love to learn more.

In fact this may be possible as I have just found this link to a manual held at the National Archives, http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3308552 and indeed to a second one also dealing with the Barracuda - http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hbrowse?id=C2378221

are there any members who visit the National archives on a regular basis? I see these are free to view, would like to know more.

here are some pictures of the unit...

Kev

 

[XN923]

View attachment 18363View attachment 18364View attachment 18365View attachment 18366View attachment 18367

This item has been laying around in my collection for some years and I would like to know if anyone has any more information about it. It is, what it says it is, a Computor Type F, for use with the Aircraft Torpedo Director Type F Mk1 but that apart I know nothing about it. As you can see from the pictures there are setting dials for 'ship inclanation, wind direction and wind speed', these appear to be set manually. There is also a window in which can be seen the speed of the ship, this appears to be set automaticaly. There is another window on the front which shows 'Pilot Aim Off', this I assume is the all important computation which the pilot has to fly in order for the torpedo to hit home. When you consider all the variables, not least the function of the torpedo alone, its a miracle that any ship was hit! From what I have read on the subject, release at almost 'point blank' range under a barrage of flak seems the only sure way!!!
I will put more photos on following this to show the cover off. Underneath is a storing place for a second arm to be fitted. As you can see there are two techniques involved, 'constant bearing technique' and 'straight running technique', each have a different arm which fits in place (presumably this was already decided upon before the mission, as you wouldn't really be wanting to mess about last minute?), you will see these in the following photos. So there you have it 'Computor Type F' for use with Aircraft torpedo director type F mk1!! One last thing its weight 10kg!!
So the questions I put to you are:-
Has anyone come across one before?
What aircraft was it used in? What does a 'Aircraft Torpedo Director Type F Mark 1 look like?
Any information welcome.
If not I hope you have enjoyed looking at this unusual item
regards
Kev (Butterfly)

Fascinating pics. I've been working on a book on the Fairey Barracuda, which used this Torpedo Director, so it's great to see decent images of it. I have some accounts of how it was used in practice that will be in the book that I'd be happy to share privately if anyone is interested.