I am interested in what ideas you have in mind about using this item. Perhaps in a diorama.

It is a Luftwaffe Compass Platform.

http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1601_2000/vp1836.htm

Thanks!

~Chip

I hazard a guess that this rig helps calibrate the plane's compass.

I have not seen the item but if it is a turntable for compass swinging you would need to mount an aircraft on it in flying posiiton, that is a tail wheel aircraft would have to have a trestle or appropriate jacking device under its tail. The engine must be running while compass swinging so there would have to be a person in the cockpit. He would also have one hand holding the stick back and the elevators would be full 'up'. Unless the weather was inclement he would have the canopy open to signal to the ground crew. The main wheels would be chocked and/or the aircraft would be tied down using anchor points that are typically about two thirds span and on the main spar.
The person using the reference compass would usually be positioned a 100 yards or so in front of the aircraft so it would be impractical to include him in that position in a dio. However you could have him adjacent to the aircraft either coming back on completion or heading out. The reference compass is very similar to a marine binnacle with a vertical tubular handle extending below for the groundsman to hold and a sighting device across the top to align with the aircrafts centreline.
Obviously there would be another crewman or two available to rotate the turntable.
I dont know of any reference sources that would show a compass swing in progress as it is a ground crew job and only the fly boys get the glory.
Hope that gives you some ideas anyway.
Regards Dave

Yes John is right , in Aeroclub when I was a Glider pilot - we calibrate compass manually - three men turning Glider in every ( north,south,west,east) direction and mechanic calibrate compass - Oh I wish to have this Platfrom !!!!.

Cheers
Absolute Tomcat , 299% Proof !!!
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