Striking by Night - Navigator
Crew - Navigator
Training
Retrained in the UK But the task for the navigators became more exacting, various problems came into true navigation, and navigation with new equipment, and it took a little bit longer for a navigator to acquire the knowledge of operating this equipment efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Keep track of the aircrafts position
- Plot its cause on his maps
- Instruct the pilot on course changes (not an easy taks at night, over a blackout continent, with landmarks almost invisible)
- Visual sightings by other members of the crew assisted the navigator
Terminology
Dead reckoning navigation- taking the aircraft over a particular track, and at a speed arrive at a point (turning points & target) at a particular time. The navigator estimating the wind direction and speed with t e aid of the early model hand held computer work a course and speed for the pilot to fly.
Physical position in plane
Location of Navigator
- Sat at a table just behind the pilot, facing the port side (left)
- A lamp on the table and a blackout curtain
- ‘ G’ for George fitted with a ‘GEE’ radio receiver and cathode ray tub display that could home in on transmission stations in Britain providing accurate and reliable position plot. Generally faded out by the time the aircraft had reached the enemy coast.
Dress
A typical uniform consisted of a helmet, oxygen mask, parachute, boots, shirt, trousers, tie, gloves, a whistle and an escape kit.
Wireless operator Flying Officer C. H. Tindale DFM, of Cremorne, NSW (left), tuning while the navigator, Flying Officer W. C. Gordon DFC, of Raleigh, NSW, studies his charts just before take off in the Lancaster "G for George".