Wilhelm Morell Anemometer

David Vockins · 17 November 2009, 02:35 AM

Hello, I am a new member who knows nothing about aircraft. I am however trying to find out the origins of an anemometer my grandfather brought back from the first world war. My grandfather was a sniper in the 27 battalion AIF, he fought in France and Belgium. He brought back several souvineers, one included a Wilhelm Morell Anemometer in a wooden box. The box looks original as it has anemometer and the brand insignia on the box but it also has the letters JJ on the box . The box is dried out but still intact due to the desert climate it has been kept in for the last 90 years. The gauge inside however is in almost perfect condition, also thanks to the dry climate. The gauge reads to 240 km and still spins quietly and registers when you blow on the brass cups. I would like to find out what type of aircraft it may have come from and approximately what year it would have been used in. I have approached people from the Australian War Memorial and others with no success. In fact I was told it was doubtful it even came from the first war which I find hard to comprehend as that was the only war my grandfather fought in. Any help would be appreciated. Thankyou for your time Dave

YavorD · 17 November 2009, 02:52 AM

Welcome, Dave!

The Morell anemometer was, probably, not a standard fixture on most aircraft. It is quite large device and causes drag. It should be installed outside of propeller slipstream so at some distance away from the pilot on single engined tractor aircraft thus being not so easy to read and operate. Nevertheless, there are pictures of aeroplanes with anemometer fixed on interplane struts.

Regards,
Yavor

joegertler · 17 November 2009, 06:55 AM

Is it identical to the one in the Replica aircraft section under "Anyone here buy this ASI" thread? If different, can you describe the differences to us? I have had a number of the various types of Morell anemometer instruments, including one brand new one, still in the wooden box. That one went to Richard Enos for his Fokker D.VII. Probably the same as yours? In the wood box, there is usually a slightly tapered black handle that can screw into the bottom of the instrument to hold it by hand. (as shown in the recent Ebay offering mentioned in the other thread, here) This is not used when mounting on aircraft. Often it is affixed to a strut, usually using the two hole vertical mounting bracket tab at the back of the instrument. They were mounted on quite a few different WWI German aircraft. including Fokker and Albatros, among others. There is a beautiful color close-up photo of one that is mounted on the TVAL Albatros DV, accurate replica in New Zealand, that was just posted on one of the forums a day or two ago. I forget where I saw it but should find it with a bit of "google" searching.

Maxim08 · 17 November 2009, 12:09 PM

David,
Does it look like this?

If so, send me a PM.

Regards,
John

Dave_Watts · 17 November 2009, 07:44 PM

Hi David,

The photo posted by Maxim08/John is excellent.

My perspective is the speed displayed on the dial is in direct relation to the age. The higher the speed the later the gauge. John's shows 250 KM as maximum, as I recall that's right around 155 mph. I would speculate it is certainly WW1 vintage, from mid-1918. 300 KM may be too high for WW1, not sure. Your 240 KM gauge would be perfect for WW1.

Best,
Dave W.

David Vockins · 18 November 2009, 12:22 AM

Hello and thanks for the help,the picture sent by maxim08 is exactly the same as mine except that mine has 4 protective metal loops surrounding the brass wind cups and they look like they are original. If I could work out how to send the picture I took and downloaded, it would make it easier for all of us but unfortunately my brain does not work as well as my anemometer. Any suggestions other than a lobotomy. Cheers Dave

YavorD · 18 November 2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Dave!
There are few steps to follow.
The best way, in my opinion, is to create account (free) on some web site in order to store pictures or files (my personal choice is Photobucket). Upload the picture as *.jpg file. From your account on the web-site you can copy the address, e.g.

Quote:

[IMG]..tp://i178. .... allenge652-1.jpg[/IMG]

and post it. This is all the necessary information for the picture encapsulated between [IMG] and [/IMG]. Forum software will handle it further if you do not move (change) the file stored in your account.
Regards,
Yavor

David Vockins · 18 November 2009, 01:31 AM

Thanks YavorD, I wil attempt to do this tomorrow but at present I think I will have a cold glass or two of wine as it is about 7.30 pm at night here and about 28 degrees celsius with 75% humidity. I can't say thanks enough to everybody as this mystery has been driving me mad, especially since the local authorities here in Australia have know idea what it is. Any further information would also be very welcome, thanks once again, Dave.

Maxim08 · 18 November 2009, 05:27 AM

David,
You are correct about the missing wire basket around the rotating cups. They are 3mm steel rod terminating in a circular brass cap/knob/thingamajig.
Would you please post some dimensions and details of the wooden box as I would like to make one to display with the anemometer.
Regards,
John

Jim · 18 November 2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Watts

Hi David,

The photo posted by Maxim08/John is excellent.

My perspective is the speed displayed on the dial is in direct relation to the age. The higher the speed the later the gauge. John's shows 250 KM as maximum, as I recall that's right around 155 mph. I would speculate it is certainly WW1 vintage, from mid-1918. 300 KM may be too high for WW1, not sure. Your 240 KM gauge would be perfect for WW1.

Best,
Dave W.

I had understood most German WW I era aircraft topped out closer to 110 to 120 mph when they were in good condition. Were there some that could get close to 150 mph?