WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

whitleyproject · 30th May 2011, 10:10 am

This came from a Whitley Mk VII crash site - looking carefully at the face I can make out traces of the scale and some numbers. There is a '3' in the middle, and what might be a '0' further to the left. There are also some numbers - I think it might even read '1940' or '1941' in the bottom left hand corner.

Can anyone come up with a stores ref number for this instrument please? I'd like to obtain one in good condition for comparison purposes... I'd also like to find out what piece of equipment it was fitted to.

I'm fairly sure it originates from wireless equipment, but being a Mk VII Whitley it would have been packed with exotic ASV equipment, much of which I am not familiar with.

http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/P1010299.jpg

Alan Stepney · 30th May 2011, 11:01 am

As far as I can see (which isnt very far) it appears to be a standard Air Ministry meter, and could be of almost any type.

Most were 2" square black cases, and the scale might have been volts, amps, RF or almost any markings one can imagine. (Mag Feed was a common one).

They were usd in radios and many other pieces of electronics, plus as instruments on the aircraft itself.
I have, literally, dozens, so tying it down to a particular type is going to be difficult-impossible.

whitleyproject · 30th May 2011, 9:32 pm

Thanks for looking Alan.

The gauge should be the larger variety with the round bakelite case - approx 3" across. The square cased ammeters/voltmeters are a bit smaller.

Here's a pic of the type of instrument i'm looking for. I am searching for one with the '3' on top of the scale and in the middle, to match mine. The position of the numbers seems to vary and i'm hoping someone will be able to give me a stores ref number.

http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/u...40/ammeter.jpg

Alan Stepney · 30th May 2011, 9:41 pm

I have some of that size as well, so will have a look and see what scales are on the ones I have.

whitleyproject · 30th May 2011, 10:22 pm

Thanks Alan

pmmunro · 31st May 2011, 12:50 pm

Whitleyproject,

Have you tried looking at your meter scaleplate under UV or infra-red light? Marks which are invisible within the visible spectrum might show up.

PMM.

Alan Stepney · 13th Jun 2011, 6:12 pm

I have now checked 40+ meters of that size and not one has the scale markings that give a "3" in the centre.

That might mean that it came off something that wasnt a popular unit for the amateur to buy. (Just a guess.)

Sorry not to be of more help.

Gridiron · 13th Jun 2011, 8:35 pm

Could the meter be the Aerial Current meter of one of the TR9 series of transceivers? This is a thermocouple type 0.5A F.S.D., 0.3 is about mid-scale, I had a look at the set I have and the stores ref no is 10A/7818. The markings on meter on my set don't have the 0 in front, i.e. just .3, etc.
Regards, Mike.

30th May 2011, 10:10 am	#1
whitleyproject Diode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London, UK. Posts: 7	WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID This came from a Whitley Mk VII crash site - looking carefully at the face I can make out traces of the scale and some numbers. There is a '3' in the middle, and what might be a '0' further to the left. There are also some numbers - I think it might even read '1940' or '1941' in the bottom left hand corner. Can anyone come up with a stores ref number for this instrument please? I'd like to obtain one in good condition for comparison purposes... I'd also like to find out what piece of equipment it was fitted to. I'm fairly sure it originates from wireless equipment, but being a Mk VII Whitley it would have been packed with exotic ASV equipment, much of which I am not familiar with. http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/P1010299.jpg

30th May 2011, 11:01 am	#2
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID As far as I can see (which isnt very far) it appears to be a standard Air Ministry meter, and could be of almost any type. Most were 2" square black cases, and the scale might have been volts, amps, RF or almost any markings one can imagine. (Mag Feed was a common one). They were usd in radios and many other pieces of electronics, plus as instruments on the aircraft itself. I have, literally, dozens, so tying it down to a particular type is going to be difficult-impossible.

30th May 2011, 9:32 pm	#3
whitleyproject Diode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London, UK. Posts: 7	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID Thanks for looking Alan. The gauge should be the larger variety with the round bakelite case - approx 3" across. The square cased ammeters/voltmeters are a bit smaller. Here's a pic of the type of instrument i'm looking for. I am searching for one with the '3' on top of the scale and in the middle, to match mine. The position of the numbers seems to vary and i'm hoping someone will be able to give me a stores ref number. http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/u...40/ammeter.jpg Last edited by whitleyproject; 30th May 2011 at 9:37 pm.

30th May 2011, 9:41 pm	#4
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID I have some of that size as well, so will have a look and see what scales are on the ones I have.

30th May 2011, 10:22 pm	#5
whitleyproject Diode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London, UK. Posts: 7	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID Thanks Alan

31st May 2011, 12:50 pm	#6
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,813	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID Whitleyproject, Have you tried looking at your meter scaleplate under UV or infra-red light? Marks which are invisible within the visible spectrum might show up. PMM.

13th Jun 2011, 6:12 pm	#7
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID I have now checked 40+ meters of that size and not one has the scale markings that give a "3" in the centre. That might mean that it came off something that wasnt a popular unit for the amateur to buy. (Just a guess.) Sorry not to be of more help.

13th Jun 2011, 8:35 pm	#8
Gridiron Heptode Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 663	Re: WWII aircraft ammeter/voltmeter gauge ID Could the meter be the Aerial Current meter of one of the TR9 series of transceivers? This is a thermocouple type 0.5A F.S.D., 0.3 is about mid-scale, I had a look at the set I have and the stores ref no is 10A/7818. The markings on meter on my set don't have the 0 in front, i.e. just .3, etc. Regards, Mike.