Very rare C1 auto pilot

Genuine vintage World War Two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress pilot’s complete C-1 Autopilot. 

 the C1 autopilot for the Norden bombsights used on B17, B24 and B29 bombers. A requirement for the successful use of the Norden bomb-sight was a steady and controllable aircraft platform achieved by use of a gyroscopic autopilot. Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company developed and produced the C1 autopilot as an improvement over the original Sperry Gyroscope autopilot.

 The original C-1 autopilot required turning rotary knobs for course corrections and control of the plane, when the Norden bombsight was not controlling it . It allowed an easier control of the plane when flying formation to the bomb site.

These Formation Control Sticks were part of the first mass produced fly by wire aircraft control system. The electronic "fly by wire" control is now used on many of today's modern aircraft.

The autopilot control panel provides the pilot with fingertip controls by which he can conveniently engage or disengage the system, adjust the alertness or speed of its responses to flight deviations, or trim the system for varying load and flight conditions.