Formation Stick for Type C-1 Automatic Pilot System B-47 with its excellent range capabilities

with its excellent range capabilities

Protection for the airplane against damage from its guns

used by an observer (hence the "O" designation

"It's from a Caudron C445 'Goeland

and was likely used on a US Air Force or US Navy aircraft during the 1950's

Formation Stick for Type C-1 Automatic Pilot System B-47 with its excellent range capabilitiesThis is a WWII era Formation Stick, was an accessory to the Type C 1 Automatic Pilot System used in US Army Air Force bombers such as the B 17 Flying Fortress and the B 24 Liberator (see illustration from the B 17G Flight Manual dated 1944). The formation stick was used to quickly maneuver the aircraft with minimum physical effort while the C 1 Autopilot was on and the aircraft was assuming, or in, formation flight. Two formation sticks were installed