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WWII AN 5735-1 Directional Gyro - Sperry
One poor 80-year-old AN 5735-1 Directional Gyroinstrument as manufactured by Sperry (?) for the war effort that has soldiered on and now wears civilian clothes.
Well, sort of. This early- or mid-war metal cased Sperry looks as if it\'d been overhauled by Cessna Aircraft - probably in the late 1950s or early 1960s - and marked CESSNA under the glass on the bottom of the instrument face.. That appears to have been the only modification of the old soldier that I can see. If you are looking for a wartime Sperry to pop into a panel for display, that Cessna business can be scraped away with a razor blade once you remove the glass under the brass snap ring. This one is probably a 1942 or 1943 variant.
This one is probably relegated for parts or panel display ONLY. It appears this instrument either sat outside or was subject to moisture, as if you look at the base of the instrument face you can see some water mark staining. The ports on the lower portion of the case show some water marks and the caging knob is stuck and I cannot move it. The air filter screen on the very bottom shows some water calcification, too. There\'s rust on the steel staple on the air filter. I suspect one could take this thing apart and clean it and lubricate it, but that\'s a lot of work for what in the end is ultimately a DISPLAY GRADE INSTRUMENT.
I don\'t see any modifications to the case. Both of the original Sperry data plates on the back of this instrument have been removed. The directional control knob is frozen and I cannot move it. This one has instrument panel screw keepers (nuts) on the instrument housing.
Graphics on this instrument are bright white and appear to be NON-RADIUM. Many of the Cessna conscripts saw removal of the old radium painted components and new brilliant white ones were installed. This appears to be one of those examples. Black wrinkle-finish paint is in great shape. The air filter housing is intact.
Can\'t hear any clunking or rattling around on the inside of the instrument. No additional mods or drop damage to case. No evidence of water or dust or bugs or dirt behind the glass. We\'d kept this as a parts source for other 5735 units but at the end of the day we\'ve got more than enough directional gyro instruments and no longer need to build and mix and match.
I can\'t think of a trainer, transport or bomber that didn\'t use the AN 5735-1 gyro during the war years through present day.
What you see in the photo series is representative what you get. Shipscheapest USPS Priority Mail unless you direct otherwise. Questions? Please ask seller. And thanks for looking!
