Cased, C1910 WW1 Era British RNAS/RFC Observation Balloon Troops Negretti & Zambra Pocket Barometer / Altimeter With Magnifying Compass Compendium. Sn 17917 Miscellaneous

Cased, C1910 WW1 Era British RNAS/RFC Observation Balloon Troops Negretti & Zambra Pocket Barometer / Altimeter With Magnifying Compass Compendium. Sn 17917 17917

There are many groups of combatants who could claim to be the ‘unsung’ heroes of the First World War. One group with a particularly strong claim are those men who operated the observation balloons. Not for them the glamour of flying Sopwith Camels or even DH4’s, but they still had to face the dangers of being suspended several thousand feet in the air with nothing between their feet other than a wicker basket, regularly facing attack by German fighter aircraft . Whilst initially the RNAS (Royal Navy Air Service) had charge of all things lighter than air, in the autumn of 1915 responsibility for Kite Balloons in France was transferred to the RFC (Royal Flying Corps). Each RFC Brigade had a Kite Balloon Wing commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. Within each wing was a number (typically five) Kite Balloon Companies, these being commanded by a Captain or Major, each Company would have two or three Kite Balloon Sections (illustrated in image 1 are contemporary WW1 images of an allied observation balloon launch with crew and an image of a WW1 observation balloon in flight). Although unsigned this altimeter as used by WW1 Era British RNAS/ RFC Observation Balloon Troops was most likely made by the quality optics manufacturer Negretti & Zambra C1910. The face is marked compensated and is marked with barometric scale with a range from 23-31 inches of mercury. The outer rotating altimeter scale with a range from 0-8000 Feet set beneath bevelled glass. The brass instrument has a suspension ring. The instrument is contained in its leather over wood, green velvet lined case which has a brass button release catch. The magnifying glazed face of the case incorporates a compass enabling a bearing to be superimposed on a map or chart, the magnifier allowing reading of fine detail. The instrument is in full working order. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 17917

£425