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U.S. Army Air Forces Norden M-9B bombsight assembly with W.L. Maxson Type X-1 reflex sight, a sophisticated gyrostabilized fire-control instrument used in American heavy bombers during World War II, including the B-17, B-24, and B-29. Developed by Carl L. Norden in the 1920s and refined throughout the war, the system integrates a gyroscopic stabilization platform, internal mechanical analog computer, and central optical eyepiece, with the Type X-1 reflex sight mounted above for initial target acquisition. The bombsight bears a data plate that reads: “U.S. Army Air Forces, Bomb Sight / Type: M9B / Serial No.: N-10933 M / Order No.: AC 9165 / Carl L. Norden, Inc.” The reflex sight data plate reads: “U.S. Army Air Forces, Reflex Sight / Serial No.: 1895 / Type: X-1 / Order No.: W-33-038-AC-4995 / Manufactured by the W.L. Maxson Corp.” The bombsight is mounted on a wooden display base to an overall size of 16˝ x 15˝ x 10.5˝ and a weight of 42 pounds.
The bombsight features an array of calibrated dials and scales used by the bombardier to input altitude, airspeed, and heading, enabling the instrument to determine the precise release point, compensating for variables such as wind drift and ground speed. A viewing window permits monitoring of the gyroscope and bubble level for proper calibration. During operation, the bombardier aligned the moving sight indicator with the target; when the two coincided, the system automatically triggered bomb release while interfacing with the aircraft’s autopilot during the final bombing run.
Includes an original “Bombsight Equipment Data Book” (WD AAF Form No. 45, March 1, 1945), marked “Restricted” and assigned to Bombsight Type M9-B, Serial No. V5118, with the opening “Operating Time” log dated to April 23, 1956, with directional tolerance readings (N=7-2, S=8-2, E=8-3, W=7-3) and MOD-1 notation. A complex example of WWII-era aviation instrumentation, illustrating the integration of optics, gyroscopic stabilization, and analog computation in a key precision-bombing system of World War II.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
