WWII Aircraft Instrument, Gyro Horizon Indicator (AN–5736–1)

Includes glass top display box.

• Instrument Type: Gyro horizon indicator, known as the attitude indicator or artificial horizon in modern aircraft. This instrument shows the orientation of the aircraft relative to the horizon.
• Manufacturer: Jack & Heintz
• Part Number: AN 5736-1 or JH 6500-A
  
• Possible Aircraft: B-17, B-24, B-25 (bombers) or P-38, P-40, P-47, P-51 (fighters). Others possible as well.

During World War II, aviation became crucial in warfare, evident from the Battle of Britain to significant battles in the Pacific and the deployment of nuclear bombs. Major powers like Germany, Japan, Britain, the US, and the USSR built vast air forces, engaging in extensive aerial and ground battles. Bombing emerged as a key strategy, and the aircraft carrier proved vital.

Advancements in aviation technology were propelled by military needs. The efficient cantilever monoplane dominated, although some older biplanes were used. Aircraft performance soared with the introduction of jet and rocket engines at the end of the war, and avionics evolved with innovations like power-assisted controls, sophisticated navigation aids, and radar.

Unfortunately we cannot ship this item internationally.

The cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress, showing an array of aircraft instruments.

With such high demand for airplanes, there was also a massive need for aircraft instruments, which are devices used within an airplane's cockpit to provide pilots with information necessary for flight.

Many WWII-era instruments were used with multiple airframes, as versatility was important during wartime. Some values would be painted directly on the outside of the glass, so that the instrument was not confined to the values of a certain type of airplane. Because of this, identifying exactly what aircraft an instrument was used in can prove challenging or impossible, but military records do state what types of aircraft each instrument would have been compatible with.

The specific batch of aircraft instruments purchased by History Hoard were auctioned off by the U.S. government in the years following World War II. Before we acquired them, they were being stored at a military base near Pueblo, Colorado.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in the photos above.