Hi all,

I am planning to build a diorama with the Luftwaffe Compass platform from VP but I have a few questions.
1. I plan to put a Hs 129 on this platform with an open engine etc so some maintenance is being performed while on the platform. Is this possible ?
2. How is an aircraft secured on this platorm ? ( There are some holes on the ramp )
3. Does anyone have some pictures from this platform ?

Thanks in advance,
Marc

Hi MMB - Good subject choice, I've wanted to do one of those for awhile myself. As to your questions: 1. It is unlikely, but not impossible that they would do engine or other maintenance to the aircraft while on the compass. (This platform is for calibration of the navigation gear, and other maintenance activity would throw that off). But that doesn't mean they would do it. 2. The aircraft is secured to the platform by it's normal tie down points. 3. I remember seeing a photo of an aircraft on the platfrom somewhere in one of my references, I'll have to do a search.

UPDATE: Not a great photo but can't complain it was taken almost 60 years ago.

Here's another:

here is a page with a lot of hs- 129s
iam going to build that really soon

url http://www.warbirdpix.com/

I have that VP kit, very nice kit. And very heavy also. I really like that resin smell! #:-)

~chip

The operation that is carried out on this equipment is called a compass swing and is intended to calibrate the magnetic compass. To do this the aircraft must be in airworthy condition, preferably in the level flight attitude (but not necessary), and will usually have the engine(s) running - so missing cowlings would be a no-no. (Of course there are exceptions to evey rule and I can imagine right now someone is digging out a pic of a substantially dismantled aircraft having its compass swung.)
It requires two crew to do the swing, one in the cockpit and one on the ground who has the master compass which has a sight so it can be aligned with the aircraft centre line.
Personally all the swings I ever did on tailwheel aircraft (mainly DC-3's) were done with the aircraft on its wheels, ie taildown.
Regards Dave

Hi there

Here are a couple more pics... again, not the best quality...





I'll keep my eyes open for any more shots...

All the best

Rowan

another question that pops up;

How do they turn the platform ? Looks quite heavy with an airplane on top of it

Marc

Hi there Marc

Yes... it must have been bl**dy heavy - we're talking tons with a bomber on it!

I guess the turntables were mounted on bearings... but I've never seen a pic of any kind of vehicle attached. I've read that, towards the end of the war, the Luftwaffe used oxen to tow aircraft in order to save fuel, so maybe turntables too... I don't know.

I'll keep checking my references... :-)

All the best

Rowan

I'm pretty sure it was moved manually. I know I'm giving away my age here, but I've seen manually operated turn tables for locomotives and they weigh alot more than an aircraft. Like Merlin said bearing and it being a large mechanizm help.

Hi again

Seeing as KiwiDave has worked on DC3s, he can probably tell us how the beasts were turned 'round. :-) ...

... I think we probably know the answer... muscles... :-)

All the best

Rowan