BZA1
The analogue dive-bombing computer system
to the Ju 88
How often it once might have been tactically operated, we don't know.
Status: 21 December 2018
Our movable table and perpex-cube has been made ready for display.
The reason why we have obtained it, is,
that it constitutes a beautiful mechanical "master-piece"
Genuine design by "Zeiss Jena"
First we would like to let you join the moment just after unpacking the crate in which it arrived.
IVR 1
Gerät-Nr. 127-426A-1
This latter designation is not the apparatus number at all!
But, it concerned the actual drawing number, which contains all necessary technical information, with which its manufacture is being made possible.
The prefix "127" indicated that it concerns an aircraft device
In contrast, prefix "124 -" series being found on communication gear
Werk-Nr: is hardly readable.
But would give hardly real production figures. These kind of numbers were more a coded number, of which noting directly can be derived. Certainly: it never gave instantly the serial number away.
For example: 330670281
The correlation could briefly once have been: 67 or 281 or 30 or even 207 or 816 ...
Anf. Z. Fl 52840 = GAF Stock number.
According late Peter Aichner's "Luftwaffe Flugzeug- Ausrüstungsgeräte" book:
Vorhalterechner (AOB, VR type 1; I cannot yet answer what the foregoing (pre-fix) symbol might have stood for), Bombenabwurfrechner, innen montiert Fl 22301, Kommandohöhenmesser
It is evident, that it concerns a highly complicated mechanism
Viewing it from a bit different perspective
The flexible tube in front (brown drum) is likely the barometric connection.
With some ingenuity we could separate it from its base (without destroying something; but without documentation)
It is clear that the Germans must have possessed a penchant for mechanics
The connectors on the left-hand side, were known in Germany as "List Stecker", these were commonly used also in the "V 2" (A4) rocket; but on rather many other apparatus.
These were still built after the war, not only in Russia, but France, as well.
It is most likely, that even US Amphenol company have had based their later "edge" connector types on the basic ideas of these connector types.
The Germans used, 8 pins - 14 pins and 20 pin connectors.
When you look for them, it does not make a difference, whether you buy a: German, Russian or French type. The Russians, however, do provide cable soldering provisions, in contrast to the German version, which relied on fixing screws.
Lavishly photographing
BAL (=Bauaufsicht Luftwaffe) Indicating that this device has been "accepted" by the GAF; might also have been valid (implying) for the entire apparatus.
Kommandohöhenmesser, I suppose "baromatric"
Trying to get just a bit more information from this label.
A new attempt, a new perspective
Zusatzgerät für BZA
Gerät Nr: 127-206 A 1
It might contain a kind of curved drum, meant for parameter depending data conversion (computing)
Without comment, as long as we do not yet possess relevant technical information
Without words
Top centre we may see a special servo (Drehfeldgeber)
Another type Drehfeldgeber, vertically mounted. Top centre we may see a special servo (Drehfeldgeber)
On one of the 1 kΩ resistors we read: "Stabil", which points, likely, at it stable (reliable) specification (property)
The lower frame: the two resistors might once have had the function: to counter humidity, though this is my estimation, still without possessing relevant technical information
Quite some calculation parameters being indicated
Originally, that is what I do remember about Dieter Beikirch's device (1913 and 1915), that the various scales had been illuminated from underneath, but in our apparatus we cannot find any indication in this direction.
However, let us bear in mind, this photo shown first, where being indicated 220 V ac and joined with the symbol of a neon tube
Aircraft gear running regularly, particularly in the GAF, on 24 (28-29) V dc. Albeit, that the gyro-systems included might have ran at 36 V 500 Hz or that like.
I have yet to admit, that in this particular case I possess no knowledge.
Final photo, situation after photos had been taken, and placed on top, as to prevent damaging or that like
The pointer is indication: the aircraft flying direction.
(B)
On 21 December 2018 Hans Goulooze finished his display project
This table is made easily movable
As to facilitate viewing it from all side, without changing your own position, the upper disk is made rotable
Dick Zijlmans managed to obtain a cube according our wishes
The reflection can be cancelled by turning it just a few degrees
By the way, the number 250 told them that this computer could cope with lowest altitude of 250 metres.
Viewing about the same position but the BZA 1 display disk had been rotated some quarter
Remember: in the background we look at the FG 1250 IR vision apparatus now being placed in its own cube
To be continued in due course
By Arthur O. Bauer
