VICKERS WELLINGTON TYPE VII 5D/1065 BOMB RELEASE TIMER DISTRIBUTOR PANEL

Mounted on the starboard wall of the Wellington Bomb Aimer's station was the Air Bomber's Panel which comprised three primary instruments, and 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 Vickers Wellington was the most mass produced heavy bomber 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. It flew as a maritime patrol and submarine hunter, torpedo bomber, supply and troop transport and 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 originally fitted with the Mark IX bomb sight and later, the more advanced and stabilised computer-controlled Mk XIV Bomb sights - which enabled the bomb aimer, (laying prone in the nose of the aircraft) to accurately mark 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.
 
Mounted just back from the Wellington’s bomb aimer's plexiglass window under the aircraft's nose, the first of these was a 16 Switch, Connell Bomb Pre-selector Unit (shown here on the below right), 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.

Directly below this was mounted the Type VII 5D/1065 Bomb Release Timer Distributor Unit (seen here on the right), 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 Lancaster 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 right of the Timer Distributor 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!

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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