Celestial Navigation and Bombing Trainer

Celestial Navigation and Bombing Trainer. . , The PAAF Celestial Navigation and Bombing Trainer was housed in a concrete "grain silo". Inside is a fuselage section, with the Navigator in the foreground taking a sighting of a star with a celestial sextant instrument to determine the aircraft's location. The Pilot, Copilot, and Radio Operator can be seen through the windshield. The Bombardier is hidden below the Navigator inside the "fuselage". A complex set of domed celestial maps, projected ground terrain, and a fuselage motion base system created a realistic mission experience for trainees., 1. Ventilator excludes daylight. , 2. Lights in dome represent navigating stars at night. , 3. Heavy, curved steel rail supports the dome. , 4. Gear box moves axis, motor rotates the dome. , 5. Motor winch and cable move the dome along rail. , 6. Weight counterbalances structural load of the dome. , 7. Projector throws image of terrain on a screen. , 8. Terrain plate receives projected image of land below. , 9. Fuselage mounted on universal joint to allow realistic movement. , 10. Pilot uses standard instruments and controls. , 11. Navigator takes bearings from stars using a celestial sextant. , 12. Radio Man sends and receives messages. , 13. Copilot or other crew member. , 14. Bombardier uses bombsight. Hits are shown. , 15. Smoke blower produces cloud effects for added realism. , 16. Turntable revolves as Pilot uses rudder (yaw). , 17. Bellows tip fuselage for dive or climb (pitch). , 18. Bellows bank fuselage as ailerons used (roll). , 19. Trainer Operator rules the sky, earth, and radio airwaves. , 20. Crew enters fuselage via loading bridge. , The Celestial Navigation Trainer Buildings were located at the north end of Pratt Army Air Field, just north of this sign. PAAF had four of these trainers. The building between the four Celestial Navigation Trainer Buildings was the Boiler House which was used to provide heat in the winter. , Copyright © 2015 B-29 Museum Inc. - Funded in part by the Recreational Trails Program administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism - Sign by Lowen Sign, Hutchinson, KS.