Naval Aviator's Plane-Mounted Navigation Board

Object/Artifact

-

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Name/Title

Naval Aviator's Plane-Mounted Navigation Board

Description

Large, plexiglass and metal-framed aviator's navigation board. The top of the board is a see-through plexiglass sheet with an attached Mark 8-A analog computer and true index dials. Inserted underneath the plexiglass sheet are hand-written navigational charts. The plexiglass top flips open to a storage compartment. Inside the lid are taped charts. In the compartment are tools such as pencils, rulers, and charts.

Use

Issued to naval pilots as integral navigation equipment. The metal frame allows the board to be mounted in the plane for ease of navigation and stability. The inserted navigational charts allow the plexiglass top to be used as a reusable writing surface.

Context

Over a year after enlisting in the US Navy, Ensign William "Bill" Grigsby was authorized to fly on March 14, 1944. This approval finally came after both pre-flight school in Athens, Georgia, and flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola, Florida. After a mission testing experimental G-suits with Air Group Five in Fallon, Nevada, Grigsby transferred to Air Group Twelve and entered the Pacific War. As a member of Fighting-Bombing Squadron 12 assigned to the USS Randolph (CV-15), Ensign Grigsby's F6F Hellcat was among the first of 16 planes to launch an attack against Tokyo. Grigsby’s target, Tokyo's Haneda airport, was successfully bombed. His later missions included ground support at Iwo Jima, a second Tokyo raid, Okinawa ground support, and combat air patrol against kamikaze attacks. Grigsby was demobilized as Lieutenant Junior Grade and discharged on November 5, 1945. His decorations include the Air Medal with clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, among other commendations. From the Collection of William Grigsby.

Collection

William Calvin Grigsby, Jr. Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.8

Source or Donor

Bernard C. Grigsby

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Manufacturer

G. Felsenthal & Sons Inc.

Date made

circa 1940

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

So many hand-written notes and markings in the artist's hand that more research will be needed to properly record the markings.

Update Date

June 12, 2025