HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX TYPE VII 5D/1065 BOMB RELEASE TIMER DISTRIBUTOR PANEL

Mounted on the starboard wall of the Handley Page Halifax bomb aimer's station was the Air Bomber's Panel comprising three primary instruments which enabled the bomb aimer to pre-select not only the sequence of which ordinance to drop, but also their timing delay and grouping whilst still maintaining the critical flight balance of the aircraft.

The Handley Page Halifax could carry a maximum bomb load of  carry a 6,600 kg bomb load in its 22’ long bom bay, which was split between one main bomb bay in the fuselage carrying 4536 kg of bombs and 6 x mini bomb bays each capable of carrying a further 226 kg of bombs, located between the inner engines and the fuselage on either side of the aircraft.

This split load carrying configuration would later make the halifax an ideal long range anti-submarine aircraft with depth charges carried in the wings and extra fuel tanks in the main bomb bay.

In its primary bomber role the aircraft would often carry a mixed bomb load which could consist of 14kg incendiary bomblets (carried in the Small Bomb Container SBC) together with 230 kg and 450 kg general purpose High Explosive (GP/HE) bombs as well the larger block buster bombs which could weigh up to 272 kg each.

Like all heavy bombers lined up in the dispersal area, the bomb loading sequence was a long and complex process with each bomb having to be manually cranked up on the aircraft’s in built winch system.

Each bomb in turn also had to have its fuse set for the required timing delay and detonators interred together with a safety pin inserted in the bomb’s tail. All stored bombs would then be inspected and notes made on their distribution and individual weights which was then given too the aircraft's bomb aimer to input into his bombing panel.

With such a varied load of bomb sizes and weights, it was critical that the loads were release in a way that did not jeopardise the aircraft's flying characteristics as a sudden unexpected release could cause the aircraft to rear or dive violently if the bomb load was not not trimmed correctly. 

Whilst the Halifax was fitted with the Mark III bomb sight and later, the more advanced and stabilised computer-controlled Mk XIV Bomb sights - which assisted the bomb aimer in accurately marking the target, he still had some extensive and time-consuming work to do in preparing the release of the Halifax’s bomb load. He did this on his Air Bomber's Control Panel which consisted of three separate Control Units.

The first of these Control Units, was a 16 Switch, Connell Bomb Pre-selector Unit which allowed the bomb aimer to preselect which bombs to release.

The 16 switches related to 16 stowage points in the aircraft’s bomb bay and the bomb aimer used it to select which bombs or combination of bombs would be released over the target and which bombs might be retained for another attack on a secondary target. 

The unit also featured a Master Safety Jettison Handle with its chain-mounted, metal Safety Cover. When removed, the bomb aimer could jettison the entire bomb load in an emergency such as prior to a crash landing, aircraft fire or fighter attack. The pilot also had a Jettison Switch and Pull Handle mounted on his main flying panel.

To its right, was mounted the Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor Unit, which the bomb aimer would use to pre-set the timing interval and order of the ordinance to be dropped. This was particularly useful if the Halifax was attacking a long, spread out target such as a railway terminus, bridge or transport hub and needed to drop its bombs in a 'stick' formation along the target. 

The metal pointers in the middle of the unit were rotated to preset any of the possible 32 bomb combinations whilst the small, silver rotary dial below was used to set the timing interval. A small bulb, behind a swivelling coloured/clear window would then indicate their activation.

The Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor was mounted to the bomb aimer's master panel by two knurled pins on either side of the carrying handle. These enabled the unit to be removed from the aircraft after the mission and be reset for the next. A reinforced, padded timber box was used to carry the unit to and from the aircraft.

To the rear of the 16 Switch, Connell Bomb Pre-selector Unit was mounted the Bomb Dropping Selector Box, which was used to ensure the bombs were dropped in the correct order to maintain the critical trim of the aircraft during flight. 

This Air Ministry stamped Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor is an original WWII veteran Bomber Command Unit. 

Mounted in its 100 yr old mango wood display stand with engraved plaque and highly detailed, custom built 1/72, or super detailed 1/48 scale model of this iconic aircraft perched above on its removable magnetic arm, this original Recovery Curios WWII aviation collectable also comes with a full colour, laminated Fact Sheet featuring photos of the instrument in situ with details on its operation and the aircraft’s history.

As an added bonus, this Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor also comes with its original padded wooden transport box.

What an incredible and memorable gift for the aviation enthusiast in your life!

Mounted in its 100yr old, hand-crafted Mango Wood display stand with engraved plaque and highly detailed scale model of a Halifax perched atop its magnetic display arm, plus a detailed laminated Fact Sheet featuring a photo of the instrument in the Halifax cockpit, this Recovery Curios Aircraft Collectable would make a perfect gift for the pilot or aviation enthusiast in your life.

This Handley Page Halifax Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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