VICKERS WELLINGTON, AIR MINISTRY BOMB SELECTOR CONTROL UNIT

The Vickers Wellington was the most mass-produced heavy bombers of the Second World War and during its long service life from 1939 to the early 1950’s, it took on numerous roles outside its primary heavy bomber role. Some of these included: maritime patrol and submarine hunter, torpedo bomber, supply and troop transport and even a military ambulance.

The Wellington Mk I had a maximum offensive bomb load of 4,500 lb (2,000 kg), more than one-fifth of the aircraft's 21,000 lb (9,500 kg) all-up weight and often carried a wide mix of bombing ordinance from 236 x small 1.8kg or 24 x 14kg incendiary bomblets (carried in the Small Bomb Container SBC); 230 kg and 450kg general purpose High Explosive (GP/HE) bombs.

Whilst the Wellington 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 Wellington’s bomb load. He did this on his Air Bomber's Control Panel which consisted of three separate Control Units:

• 16 x switch, Type F5D/655 Bomb Selector Control Panel
• Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor Unit
• 5D/1063 Bomb Preselector Unit

The first of these Control Units - the 16 x switch, Type F5D/655 Bomb Selector Control Panel was mounted just above the Wellington's Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor Unit on the starboard wall of the bomb aimer’s position. 

The 16 switches of the F5D/655 related to 16 stowage points in the aircraft’s bomb bay and the bomb aimer used the  to select which bombs or combination of bombs would be released over the target and which bombs might be retained for a later attack on a secondary target.

The knurled silver knob at the top right of the unit was rotated to activate pre-programmed settings which would appear in the small perspex window showing either: ‘Container Distributor’ - allowing for the release of the Small Bomb Containers or SBCs; ‘SAFE’ Except for Jettison’ - rendering the bomb load secure from release except for an emergency jettison; and ‘Single & Salvo’ - enabling group release and ‘Stick’ bombing of targets.

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 in case the bomb aimer was immobilised.

The second unit on the Air Bomber's Control Panel was the Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor Unit  (Shown here on the right), which the bomb aimer used to pre-set the timing interval and order of the ordinance to be dropped. This was particularly useful if the Wellington was attacking a long, spread out target such as a railway terminus, bridges & dock infrastructure 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 third Unit on the Air Bombers Control Panel was the 5D/1063 Bomb Preselector (shown here on the right), which was programmed to ensure the bomb releases did not destabilise the aircraft’s flight characteristics during the attack. Carrying a bomb load weighing almost a third of the aircraft’s total weight, without a balanced drop, the Wellington could suddenly find its nose pitched violently upwards, hurtling it into the path of another aircraft in the bomber stream. 

This Air Ministry stamped 16 x switch, Type F5D/655 Bomb Selector Control Panel is an original WWII veteran Bomber Command Unit.

With its Air Ministry AM & Crown markings, this is a rare piece of RAF aviation history with all switches operational and the hinged, drop-down panel revealing the complex wiring for the unit. It also comes complete with its chain attached, removable Arming Safety Cover and original rotating 'Dial In' Arming Programs’

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.

This Vickers Wellington 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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