IMPERIAL JAPANESE TYPE 1 AIRCRAFT COMPASS

Scarce WW2 Japanese Aircraft Compass.
Fluid / Oil filled compass with a brass body
Sprung base with a white metal / alloy base mount.
Standing just over 6” tall
With a small Japanese identification plate to the side
(Which if Google Translate is correct & my understanding of the Japanese Showa Calendar )

Reads -
Compass (1)
180726
1939 - Shinagawa Works

A very unusual compass
With an equally unusual spring mounted base
Comprising of 6 x Springs & 3 x felt buffers
Designed to cushion the main compass during flight
To be truthful I’ve never seen anything like it before !

Used on 6 or 7 different Japanese planes in WW2
Including-
Type 91 Nakajima Fighter,
Type 95 Model 3 Trainer, (Tachikawa Ki-17,)
Type 97 Heavy Bomber,(Nakajima B5N)
Type 98 Ki36 Direct Co operation aircraft
Type 99 Trainer, (Tachikawa Ki-55 )
Type 100 Transport ,(Mitsubishi Ki-57 )
As well as the Type 97 Mitsubishi Ki-21 Bomber.

A very unusual piece to come across in the UK
Brought back by a Major in the Royal Signals
At the end of WW2

A lovely looking piece and very collectible.

Code: 51573