PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION OF THE NORDEN BOMBSIGHT RESTRICTED WWII BOMBARDIER TRAINING FILM 23251

Video Description

Support Our Channel : https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm One of a series of classified films made for the Army Air Forces during WWII about the Norden Bombsight, this film focuses on the principles behind the device. During the entire war the Norden was considered a top secret piece of equipment and normally when it was shown in training films, it was hidden behind a piece of canvas or otherwise "blacked out". This series of films provides a rare look at the operation of the bombsight as it was presented to bombardiers. This particular film serves as a detailed instructional guide for trainee bombardiers, focusing on how to use the Norden bombsight effectively to ensure accurate bomb delivery. It begins by emphasizing the critical role of bombardiers in hitting enemy targets and the importance of mastering both the mechanical operation of the bombsight and the mental skill of spatial visualization. The film explains how the bombsight uses gyroscopes to stabilize the telescope and calculate the range angle by measuring angular velocity, factoring in altitude, airspeed, and bomb type. Trainees learn to synchronize the crosshairs with the target using the rate knob while compensating for bomb trail and adjusting for wind drift. The course problem is addressed by teaching how to identify and correct drift using the stabilizer's horizontal gyro, and how to use the tilted optics to account for cross trail. The final takeaway emphasizes that, once initial settings are correct, the bombsight automates most of the calculations, and the bombardier’s main task is to manage just two controls: the course knobs and the rate knob. 0:30 – Trainees are shown aerial photographs of enemy targets, emphasizing their mission as bombardiers and the importance of their training. 1:23 – The accuracy of bombing depends on mastering the Norden bombsight and developing a strong spatial imagination, described as the “Bombardier’s Sixth Sense.” 2:12 – Introduction to how the bombsight works: lining up the target through a telescope, measuring angles, and compensating for altitude and speed. 2:56 – Gyroscopes stabilize the telescope despite aircraft movement, providing a constant vertical reference line. 3:17 – A rotating mirror allows tracking of the target and measures the closing angle as the aircraft approaches. 3:49 – Airspeed and altitude determine the bomb’s trajectory and are used to calculate trail and range. 4:19 – The key is to synchronize the sighting angle with the computed range angle, triggering bomb release. 5:23 – A rotating disc inside the bombsight, controlled by a rate knob, adjusts the speed of the mirror to maintain the target in view and compute the correct release point. 6:15 – Trail is preset using the trail arm to compensate for bomb lag before beginning synchronization. 7:04 – Altitude affects angular velocity; the disk speed must be adjusted for accurate timing based on bombing altitude. 8:13 – Once properly set, the bombsight handles calculations automatically, guiding accurate bomb release. 8:32 – Attention shifts to solving the course problem—navigating to and staying aligned with the target path. 9:15 – Imagination is used to visualize wind drift, target position, and required heading adjustments. 10:13 – Wind drift causes deviation from the target; adjustments must be made to maintain the correct ground track. 11:02 – The bombsight's horizontal gyroscope provides constant directional reference to maintain heading despite aircraft yaw. 12:00 – The pilot and bombardier must adjust heading beyond the initial correction to fully cancel drift. 13:03 – Properly correcting for drift establishes a collision course with the target. 14:01 – The drift angle is measured between the current heading and the stabilized reference, helping maintain correct alignment. 15:02 – To account for cross trail (lateral bomb displacement), the sight tilts the telescope, moving the aircraft upwind as needed. 16:22 – Cross trail is calculated automatically using a formula involving trail and drift angle. 17:00 – The sight tilts the optics during course adjustments to align perfectly with the correct bombing path. 18:14 – Correct course and drift corrections ensure accurate bomb drops; the bombsight compensates for cross trail without altering drift angle. 19:49 – Recap: solving the range problem, setting drift angle, and correcting for cross trail are the core skills; the bombsight automates these once set. 20:08 – The two key controls are the course knobs and rate knob—essential tools for accurate bombing runs. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com