This is my example of the Japanese Type 96 Magnetic Compass produced by Tokyo Aero Indicator Co.Yokogawa. This early compass was used on the Nakajima Ki-27 Kyūnana-shiki sentōkand 九七式戦闘機 (Type 97 Trainer) “Nate” and the Tachikawa Ki-9 Kyūgo-shiki ichigata renshuki 九五式一型練習機 (Type 95 Trainer) “Spruce”. It is an interesting design consisting of a small “porthole” style window that opens on a hinge with the compass dome set further inside. Above that is the compass deviation card holder, in which has a small internal light inside for use shining down through the front glass and the rear compass dome to illuminate for visibility with low light. I acquired this gauge from a guy down south through an online marketplace, and there was quite a story to go with it as his father (once a P.O.W in Changi) had possibly bought or traded for it before his return home to Australia. Below is some correspondence from Gary upon request via email:
"Hi Brad, My father, who was a POW in Changi during WWII, procured the compass as a souvenir whilst returning home to Australia at the time. He used to say it was out of a Japanese fighter plane.
It traveled to Coffs Harbour, then to Sydney in the early 60s. After his passing in the early 80s, I travel to New Zealand in the mid 80s to live and took it with me, then returning early 90s to Sydney where I unwittingly displayed it in a covered bbq area 08s a few years ago which is where most of the corrosion occurred unfortunately, then onto you in Townsville.
I have attached a picture of him in training.
It always intrigued me that somewhere between the release gates of Changi and his return to home soil, tied, hungry and emaciated, he had the presence of mind to stop somewhere and probably buy or trade a souvenir.
So all the best with it Brad and please let me know how it ends up."
Regards, Gary Jones
The compass wasn’t in the greatest shape when I got it, but it had such a great story I didn’t want to completely disassemble it and take it all the way back losing all its patina. So, I cleaned it up a bit and made a reproduction compass deviation card using off white paper stock and then clear plastic cut to size. Brass fittings I just polished up making sure not to lose all of the patina, but take care of the corrosion that had started. You can clearly see the difference in the 4 before photos shown below. I am very satisfied with the way it came up.
*All items displayed throughout this site have been attempted to be described as accurately as possible by myself with research done via various information sources available. If you happen to feel my information is inaccurate and could be amended I would love to hear from you at mccartinsmltryav@gmail.com
