Altimeter, Sensitive, Type C-14, 35,000 ft, Air Corps US Army WWII B-17, B-24, P-38, P-51

Here is an early WWII-era Sensitive Altimeter, Air Corps US Army Type C-14 (also AN-5761-1), made by Bendix, part number 1554-2J-A.  The C-14 Altimeter was used across all aircraft of the Air Corps US Army, including heavy bombers B-17 and B-24, medium bombers, B-25 and B-26, Fighters P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-51, and transports C-46 and C-47, according to the Maintenance Interchangeability Chart dated Dec 1943. AC US ARMY is embossed on its face. The serial number prefix is AC-42, indicative of a manufacturing year of 1942 for an Air Corps order.

The C-14 Sensitive Altimeter displayed altitude using 3 pointers. The first and longest indicated 100's of feet, the second indicated 1000's of feet, and the third and smallest indicated 10,000's of feet.  The photos shows the first two pointers, and the smallest pointer is hidden behind the 1000's pointer.  The knob is used to adjust the altimeter to the barometric pressure as displayed in the small window at the 6 o'clock position.  See spec sheet in the photo gallery.

This example is accompanied by its calibration card and an envelope containing its original mounting screws.

It is good condition given its age. The glass and case are intact, and the knob rotates, changes the barometric display, and the pointers move. The lens, which is double layer laminated glass, shows some slight distortion between the layers and could be replaced.  Measures 3.25 inches diameter and ~4 inches deep.