WWII Drift Sights: a Grounded Approach to Navigation

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Developed in the 1930s, Drift Sights were used by aerial navigators to determine the direction and strength of the wind by measuring the aircraft's drift angle and speed relative to the ground. This then allowed the pilot to compensate for wind drift by yawing into the wind. Early versions like the RCAF Mk.II Drift Recorder / USAAF/USN B5 Drift Sight were relatively simple optical devices vulnerable to error from the yawing and pitching of the aircraft, while later, more sophisticated models like the B3 Drift Sight were gyroscopically stabilized against such motion.

0:00 Introduction
0:38 Invention of the Drift Sight
2:08 Drift Recorder Mk.II: Features and Controls
4:53 Drift Recorder Mk.II: Measuring Drift Angle
5:33 Drift Recorder Mk.II: Measuring Groundspeed
6:09 Wind Triangles and Dead Reckoning Positions
7:35 B3 Gyroscopic Drift Sight: Introduction
8:58 B3 Drift Sight: External Controls and Startup Procedure
10:23 B3 Drift Sight: Measuring Drift Angle
10:46 B3 Drift Sight: Measuring Ground Speed
12:48 B3 Drift Sight: Internal Components and Function
16:34 B3 Drift Sight Variants
16:48 Outro

SOURCES:

   • B-17 Bomber's Drift Meter Instrument, a Si...  
https://app.aircorpslibrary.com/docum...
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange...
https://aeroantique.com/products/drif...
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection...
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3...
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2...
https://dodlithr.blogspot.com/2012/10...