Helpful ReplyNorden bombsight transportation on airfields.

The bombsights were kept in a special building(vault) on operational airfields. Obviously they were transported to/from each aircraft during a mission . What was the  vehicle used ? Because of its delicate mechanisms and secrecy it would require a special truck ?

Hi Nigel,
To the best of my knowledge no special vehicle was required or used. The bombsight was actually carried in a canvas zippered bag. It is true that security was high. The Bombardier was required to sign out the bombsight from the vault storage building and was then escorted to the aircraft by armed guard(s) or MP’(s) in probably no more than a jeep. The reverse procedure occurred after the mission was completed. The bombsight was kept covered until the aircraft was in the air.
Here are some websites to peruse; this site gives the best description of the procedure.
[1] http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1524295.html 
[2] http://www.wendoverairbase.com/restoration_bombsite_storage This building has been restored, but the website photos have not been updated as yet. The Historic Wendover Airfield is one of the only AAF sites with an original Bombsight storage building with original vaults. If you get to the States and find your way to Utah, Please come visit the museum.
Other websites of interest:
Maxwell AFB http://www.maxwell.af.mil...story.asp?id=123218962 
Historic Wendover Airfield tour http://exploringtheameric...ur-august-27-2011.html 
B-17 Panels http://b17panels.com/id8.html 
Bombardier's Oath http://www.centennialoffl...EN_BOMBSIGHT/DI145.htm 
Perhaps there is a Bombardier on the Forum that can shed more light on the actual combat procedures and protocol.

Hope this helps,
Scott M. 

Scott,
 
Many thanks for the detailed reply.

In 1945, while I was with the 8th in the the U.K., the bombsights remained on the aircraft between missions.

I was waiting for Bill Runnels to answer....my experience in Italy with the 15th AAF was the same as Bill's...the bombsights remained on the aircraft between missions.
 
If I recall correctly,  the time period when the Norden Bombsights were guarded so highly secretive, was pre-war....(actually the Norden Bombsight was a developement of the U.S. Navy).
 
If one will look closely, on the data plate of each bombsight is a small Navy Anchor Inspector Stamp.
 
Jim :-)

The Norden bombsight was a development of the Navy starting back as early as 1920. The Naval bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) realized the need for its development as did the Army. The task to develop this system fell to the Naval Proving Ground Dahlgren.
Over the years Dahlgren has been instrumental in the development of countless critical systems. Here is an article on the bombsight development. http://www.twinbeech.com/Norden-gatesArticle.htm 
Additional information on Dahlgren:  http://dahlgrenmuseum.org/ 
 
Scott M. 

Thanks gentlemen for the replies. I have just purchased a good secondhand copy of Pardini's book on the "Norden Bombsight" by Schiffer Publishing for £18 in the UK.

H2X -
Circa 1938 ,  a German Norden Employee and Nazi
Sympathizer , Herman Lang , copied the Plans for the
Bombsight which ended up in Luftwaffe Hands.
After the War , a File was found that contained the Plans.
Written on the Cover was , loosely translated , We have
no use for this.
Mike

Gentlemen, is this the object in question?


 

Here is a photo of a bombardier turning in his bombsight after a mission. 
http://www.fold3.com/image/#160128983
http://www.fold3.com/image/#160128993