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By: - 7th February 2018 at 14:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Andy
Do you mean info on the autopilot system itself or info as to which autopilot onto which Lancaster?
I have copies of AIR 10 2026 1930 and a later copy which details a later system.
Cheers
James
By: - 7th February 2018 at 16:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
James,
I'm looking for details of any autopilot systems which were fitted to the Lancaster. (British, not Canadian, if different).
I imagine the AP you illustrate might be a bit early, dated 1933?
Was there more than one standard of autopilot fitted, I don't know. What units did it consist of? Who made it, or did Avro build their own (this seems unlikely)?
Andy
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:07 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Andy
Home now! I have AP1469A - Aeroplane Automatic Controls MK IV, you are welcome to a copy of course.
This one was fitted to Stirlings, some images follow.
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Here is a schematic of the Mk IV
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
And from the Lancaster Mk I aircraft AP:
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fitted to the Halifax
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Pics of parts, all the usual AP stuff.
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Aileron Servo
By: - 7th February 2018 at 19:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
James, Terry, very many thanks! Very helpful indeed. James, I would appreciate a copy of that AP if you have it electronically. Probably too big to email, if you could put it in Dropbox it would be great.
Thanks again!
Andy
By: - 7th February 2018 at 20:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi James
Any chance of a copy for the Project as well :)
cheers
John
By: - 7th February 2018 at 20:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi John
I'm pretty certain that I sent it to you some while ago following posts in your Stirling thread but I'll resend it, let me know if you don't get anything through.
Andy there is a pic of the MkVIII system here:
Apparently I posted it.
Cheers
James
By: - 8th February 2018 at 11:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
James, thanks, I must have looked at the Mk.VIII poster at the time and completely forgotten about it! I've now saved it for future reference.
Andy
By: - 8th February 2018 at 21:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Got it James, many thanks
John
By: - 13th February 2018 at 01:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
If it's of any additional use, the George Newnes Limited book "Instruments (Part 2)" printed between 1940-1942 has a whole section dedicated what I *think* is the Mk.III autopilot. Looking at the AP extracts above I think theres a commonality of parts and you might glean some extra info from it. They're usually on flea-bay for a few quid.
By: - 13th February 2018 at 19:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Interesting thread. Out of interest, what controls did the auto pilots operate ?
Although i expect that changed according to the Mk. ?
By: - 13th February 2018 at 21:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The schematic at post #5 shows that the MkIV operated elevators, rudder and ailerons.
By: - 14th February 2018 at 09:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks, my eyesight isn't that good :)
By: - 14th March 2020 at 20:48 Permalink
Apologies for dragging this topic up, James have sent you a PM
By: - 15th March 2020 at 16:29 Permalink - Edited 15th March 2020 at 16:30
Hi Aircraft
If I am the James you were referring to I haven't had a PM, and come to that I thought that I had written this same post a while ago? It must be this new improved, 'if it doesn't work then it can't go wrong' forum software!
It's still telling me that I have an unread mail which in fact I answered about a week ago!
James
Posts: 421
By: AndyY - 7th February 2018 at 11:02
Can anybody point me in the direction of any information at all on the Autopilot system fitted to the Lancaster, please?
I have seen reference to MkIV and MkVIII, but have no info. Were other Marks fitted? Is there a guide anywhere to different Marks of WW2 autopilots?
Bits turn up claiming to be 'Lancaster Autopilot' and I want to understand what they are and where were they fitted.
Many thanks,
Andy