Computer, Analog
Object number2018.74.3 a,b
Manufacturer
Harry H. Knepper, Inc.
Date1944-1945
MediumPlastic; Aluminum
Credit LineIn honor of John R. McCullough
DescriptionE-6B Aerial Dead Reckoning Computer. Rounded rectangular plastic sheet with radiating grid of blue lines with blue numbers on each side. Mounted at center of plastic sheet is double-sided aluminum frame with black text and rule marks, each side has a moving wheel for calculations that also have black text and rule marks; one wheel is solid and other wheel is open at center and frames with clear plastic window at center. Brown leather slip case. DimensionsLength x Width x Depth (a): 9.313 x 4.813 x 0.25 in. (23.7 x 12.2 x 0.6 cm)Length x Width x Depth (b): 9.688 x 5.5 x 0.25 in. (24.6 x 14 x 0.6 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Black text on one side includes "DRIFT LEFT VAR. EAST TRUE INDEX VAR. WEST DRIFT RIGHT" as well as numbers in increments of 10 from 10 to 350 and compass directional letters.
Black text on other side includes numbers related to altitude, distance, and time, as well as "AIR TEMP. / CENTIGRADE / PRESS. ALT. / THOUSANDS FEET / FOR ALTITUDE CORRECTIONS... / FOR AIR SPEED CORRECTIONS..."
(b)
Bottom short edge has handwritten text that is difficult to read, but appears to read "Dentam".
Marks(a)
Black text on one side at bottom "HARRY H. KNEPPER, INC. / ASS'Y, D'W'G. NO. E-6B".
Black text on other side at top "U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS" and bottom "AERIAL DEAD RECKONING COMPUTER / CONTRACT NO. AC-22841 TYPE E-6B / SPEC. NO. 94-27,892".
Historical NotesJohn R. McCullough entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 1944 and served with the Eighth Air Force as a navigator in a B-17 "Flying Fortress" through the late war in the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe campaigns. For "courage, coolness, and skill" in bombing attacks on military and industrial installations in Germany, he was eventually awarded an Air Medal and four bronze oak leaf clusters.
Previous owner
John R. McCullough Jr.
Related institution
United States Army Air Corps
Related institution
Eighth Air Force
On View
Not on view
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Webster-Chicago
1918-1988
