Luftwaffe parachute timing data plate

[Bob Lyons]

A recent find, the following information was kindly provided by Steve P., in the US...

Cheers

Bob


Nice plate, and from an interesting piece of equipment! It's off a "Zeitauslöser f. Lastenfallschirm, or time-trigger for a parachute.
The key to identification was the "Fl" number - Fl 30260 - that is on the plate. You can see the outline of the plate in the drawing –
it's the square on the left of the item. These timers were used with parachutes used to drop supplies from aircraft. The delay time from
leaving the plane to the parachute opening was adjustable - note the dial knob to the right of the plate.

The time setting was based on the height of the drop and, likely, the size and weight of the load. No doubt, many of these fell at Stalingrad.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Bob, unusual item.

Funny on how these different data plates were popular souvenirs. I doubt that few Allied soldiers could actually read what they said.

Cheers, Ade.

[Bob Lyons]

Hi Bob, unusual item.

Funny on how these different data plates were popular souvenirs. I doubt that few Allied soldiers could actually read what they said.

Cheers, Ade.

I agree Ade, it makes you wonder why the grabbed what they did at times, this data plate is tiny, about the size of a 5 cent piece...

Best wishes

Bob