P8 Aero Compass

[Gazza-W]

Hi, anyone know about the P8 compass similar to that used on spitfires, how does it work and how can I tell if it is a 40s one?

Thank you

[Clanad]

The P8 Aero Compass was a typical design of its age. It was derived from a ships compass and was known as a "wet" compass since the bezel floated in a dampining fluid, usually alcohol but in some cases a very thin oil. it was cumbersome and required periodic "swinging" to align it with a master P8 that was often mounted in a well made wooden storage box. It was mounted on additional dampeners to help it withstand the g force stresses.
It appears that, later in the War, it was universally replaced with the American type, which was more compact and somewhat easier to service... It was used on many different aircraft, not just the venerable Spitfire...