RAF Switch box - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Ed_Dinning · 11th Feb 2022, 9:58 pm

Hi Folks, can any one ID the attached MIL switch box. Marked AM 5D/533 It could be some sort of generic type as the ivorine plate has never been printed on.

Any idea which aircraft it was from?

Thanks, Ed

M0FYA Andy · 11th Feb 2022, 11:27 pm

Ed,

Are you sure it's not 5D/553?

Used in the armament circuits of such as the Hampden, Wellington and Swordfish.

Andy

Ed_Dinning · 12th Feb 2022, 10:02 am

Hi Andy, thanks for that, yes my typo, it is 5D/553. Probably a partner to the Lanc bomb sequence switch I also have

Ed

M0FYA Andy · 12th Feb 2022, 1:06 pm

When you say 'Lanc bomb sequence switch', do you mean the Distributor, the rotary switch driven by clockwork, which can add a delay betwen each bomb release?
The sequence is determined by the Preselector which maps circuits 1 to 15 through the Selector switchbox and the Distributor, to the bomb stations 1 to 15.
I don't think 5D/553 would have been used with the Lancaster units, at least in a 'normal' installation, the Lancaster Selector switchbox is the one with two rows of eight switch toggles.
(For clarification, the Lancaster Bomb Aimer's Panel has 16 release circuits, but there are only 15 bomb stations, so one circuit is spare. And before anyone shows a picture showing more than 15 bombs, yes, but some are hung and dropped in pairs from one station!)

Another candidate aircraft for 5D/553 is the Avro Anson.

Andy

11th Feb 2022, 9:58 pm	#1
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,199	RAF Switch box Hi Folks, can any one ID the attached MIL switch box. Marked AM 5D/533 It could be some sort of generic type as the ivorine plate has never been printed on. Any idea which aircraft it was from? Thanks, Ed Attached Thumbnails

11th Feb 2022, 11:27 pm	#2
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: RAF Switch box Ed, Are you sure it's not 5D/553? Used in the armament circuits of such as the Hampden, Wellington and Swordfish. Andy

12th Feb 2022, 10:02 am	#3
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,199	Re: RAF Switch box Hi Andy, thanks for that, yes my typo, it is 5D/553. Probably a partner to the Lanc bomb sequence switch I also have Ed

12th Feb 2022, 1:06 pm	#4
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: RAF Switch box When you say 'Lanc bomb sequence switch', do you mean the Distributor, the rotary switch driven by clockwork, which can add a delay betwen each bomb release? The sequence is determined by the Preselector which maps circuits 1 to 15 through the Selector switchbox and the Distributor, to the bomb stations 1 to 15. I don't think 5D/553 would have been used with the Lancaster units, at least in a 'normal' installation, the Lancaster Selector switchbox is the one with two rows of eight switch toggles. (For clarification, the Lancaster Bomb Aimer's Panel has 16 release circuits, but there are only 15 bomb stations, so one circuit is spare. And before anyone shows a picture showing more than 15 bombs, yes, but some are hung and dropped in pairs from one station!) Another candidate aircraft for 5D/553 is the Avro Anson. Andy