Sorry if this sounds a bit like Antiques Roadshow....we have an old box in our shed which my granddad used to keep his blacksmithing tools in, in the 1940s. It has the following wording on it: ALTA..(hole in the box here)..UNITS FOR MARK XIV BOMB SIGHTS Delicate instruments Handle like eggs and on the side: Case transit Ref No 9/2292 B 184453 Something tells me this is connected with the American Airforce. Granddad lived very near Welford Air Force Base in Berkshire, which was associated with the 101st Airborne, Arnhem drops etc. and I have a feeling this came from the base. Can anyone tell me anything about what this box contained? Cheers Bob
Have you got a picture of the box or text that might help people Bob? Not being an aviation type as a rule, I had a quick look on the web for some significant sight part that might begin with ALTA (don't suppose it's possibly ALTI or ALTE is it?) but no joy yet. I did however come across this chaps very readable site... about sights, not specifically on the British Mark XIV but it is rather good nonetheless.: NORDEN BOMBSIGHT Cheers, Adam.
The Mark XIV was a high level bomb sight, developed in the UK and manufactured in the UK and the US. In February 1942 Coastal Command had urged the Air Ministry to equip the Commands aircraft with the Mark XIV bomb sight to enable them to attack up to heights of 10,000ft and to give up the existing method of attacking enemy shipping at very low altitudes. Even though the majority of the attacks in the quarter April to June 1942 were made at night to obtain the cover of darkness (usually there was moonlight) the casualty rate was nearing 20%. It was of the opinion that with this bomb sight fitted the same number of hits could be obtained from 3,000ft as was being achieved with low level attacks, and reasonable accuracy should be possible from 10,000ft. Just a little on the use of the Mark XIV in Coastal Command.
