Calculator [Radio Bearing]
Object detail
Accession number
2005.84.36
Description
This is a homemade radio bearing calculator made from a ship's direction finder. It has a 2-pronged, fork-shaped arm which rotates 360° around a calibrated circular disc. On one corner of the calculator is a rotary knob which, when turned, turns the inner concentric ring. The whole is mounted on a square wooden board.
Brief History
This homemade radio bearing calculator was used by Cliff Tait during his round the world flight in 1969 using an Aero Engine Services Limited (AESL) Airtourer single-engined aircraft. Cliff Tait carried out the flight to promote New Zealand and the NZ-built Airtourer to the world. Leaving Hamilton on 12 May 1969, he made the 30,500 mile (49,084 km) trip in 284 hours. Despite a range of challenges along the way, he returned safely to Hamilton on 1 August 1969. Tait made history as the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a New Zealand built aircraft, and probably the first in a single engine aircraft of this small size.
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Calculator [Radio Bearing], 2005.84.36. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.