I’ve had quite a few cockpit dials in the past, but this one is a bit more interesting than most. It would be fun mounted as a desk ornament perhaps.
This dial was made by Abrams Instrument Corps (Lansing,MI) in 1971 and was located in the rear cockpit of the famous F-4e Phantom US Air Force fighter jet. As a bombing timer this small device played a crucial part not only in helping drop the bombs efficiently, but just as importantly to allow the pilot and aircraft time to safely climb out the way. As such it was part of the plane’s low altitude bombing system (LABS).
The F-4 was extensively used by the US during the Vietnam War (when this example was made), and if you have ever seen those horrendous period videos of planes carrying out low level carpet bombing, then it was these little bombing timers that sadly made that possible.
This example is offered as a decorative item only, so is untested and found in original slightly worn condition. Both knobs rotate the digits smoothly. As dials go, I believe this is a relatively scarce thing partly because the US lost so many of their F4s at the time to enemy fire.
It measures: 6.5 cm wide x 6.5 cm high x 22 cm long.
