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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Radio Compass
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Public Domain

Radio Compass

Artifact IDMO 1943.38.3
Object Type Compass, Aircraft
Maker (American, 1925 - 2003)
Dateca. 1939
Mediummetal, paint on metal, wire
Dimensionsoverall D 2 9/16 in x Diam 3 1/4 in (6.5 cm x 8.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionA metal radio compass. The compass was made by Fairfield Aircraft and the maker's mark (an image of Pegasus with FA) is seen in the lower section of the top.
Historical NoteAmerican sailors recovered this battered radio compass from a Japanese warplane shot down on June 4, 1942, during the Battle of Midway. It was manufactured circa 1939 by Fairchild Aircraft in Waterbury, Connecticut. The compass was later presented to President Roosevelt. It is on display in THE ALLIES ON THE DEFENSIVE exhibit in the Museum’s WORLD WAR II gallery.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 3, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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