Star Compass
Compass, Type B-3, Pre-WWII, Air Corps US Army
This artifact resides in our Private Collection, yet we welcome inquiries from restorers, museums, or serious enthusiasts. Please email us with the name of the artifact at Curator@AeroAntique.com.
Here is an original 1920's-era Aircraft Compass Type B-3 made for aircraft of the Air Corps US Army.
The compass card rotates within the housing that is suspended on vibration-mounts to the left and right. The mounts are affixed to a bracket that was then mounted vertically to the instrument panel of the aircraft. At both top and bottom of the compass housing are compartments for compass correction rods.
This example is exceptional given that the glass, compass card, seal, and much of the damping fluid remains intact. The serial number prefix and order number prefix are both "28" indicating a likely year of manufacture of 1928 by the Star Compass Company. An interesting history of Star is here, which was primarily a maker of maritime compasses.
Measures approximately 8 inches high and ~6 inches wide. A prize in our collection.