Objects Database

P8 Compass AM No 6A/0726

Accession Number

1447.2018.1

Object Name

P8 Compass AM No 6A/0726

Created

25/07/2018

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

25/07/2018

Brief Description

P8 Compass in wooden box with canvas carrying strap.

Materials

wood, glass, metal.

Dimensions

Box - 18 x18 x7cms Compass - Diameter 14 cms

Number Of Objects

2

Inscription Description

On box " GLASS WITH CARE TYPE P8 DELICATE INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH CARE"
On compass " AFT TYPE P8 NO 35984.D" and on side a crown with " A M REF NO 6A/0726"

Colour

brown, grey, black

Object Production Place

UK

Provenance

Not the sort of thing you would normally carry around in your rucksack, though interestingly, we have accounts of these compasses being used by Scout groups to learn navigation techniques, and we have a similar, Type P11 compass in the collection which was used for sledging in Antactica.
This type of compass was actually made for use in aircraft during the Second World War, the crown and initials AM on the side of this one indicating that it belonged to the Air Ministry with the code No 6A/0726.
Seems that folk sometimes refer to them as the Spitfire Compass, but indications are that they were fitted to all kinds of aircraft; there also seems to have been a marine version.
Lots of military gear was sold off as surplus after the war, but quite how this compass got into the collection we are not sure. Mick Tighe thinks he might have bought it in a sale.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

25/07/2018

Condition Check Date

25/07/2018

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

25/07/2018

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