RAF Bomb Distributor "Mickey Mouse" (4 Viewers)

[Andymac53]

Hi - my father often referred to a "Mickey Mouse Box" in his nose compartment of Bostons IIIa. I believe this was a bomb distributor/interval timer that had two round dials that resembled Mickey Mouse's ears. I think it was located on the starboard side, towards the front so that it could be accessed while using the Mk XIV sighting head. Does anyone know of any reference materials for it? Some pictures, ideally.

 

[ThomasP]

As far as I know, the term 'Mickey Mouse' or 'Mickey' equipment referred to the US developed H2X bombing and navigation radar.

 

[EwenS]

From this site last updated in 2010 so pre-AI

RAFRA - Code Names and RAF vocabulary

"Mickey Mouse - bomb-dropping controls - the bombing panel consisted of a clockwork distributor and selection switches (hence like a mickey mouse watch)"

A quick Google search for "bomb distributor box manuals" turned up the following thread here with information on its use starting with the 1935 version in the Hawker Australian Demon that might help.

https://www.key.aero/forum/historic-aviation/137375-1930-s-5d-566-bomb-distributor-unit-instructions