Wow Lindell, that is nice.It is in original condition and in great shape for something that saw active service.Great find, i have seen these watches before but never the case that holds them, it must be quite rare.Thanks for the pictures.
Have you tried to research the name on maybe Google?

how bout the contract numbers and other numbers on it?

Have often wondered what that tag on the front was supposed to say... it is missing on my example...

In theory, U.S. military records can be obtained from the National Archives if you have enough information on the person. If you are not related to the person it is more difficult and they do not give as much information. Also, there was a big fire there in 1973 and they lost a lot of records, especially on WW I vets but also some others. Given that you have so little information on this particular flight officer I might imagine that it wouldn't be enough for them to track him down, but you might give it a try. From what I've read there were a couple of hundred thousand flight officers in the Army Air Force during WW II (it was the lowest officer rank) so finding the records of a guy with just a last name and a couple of initials might not be a simple thing. If you do give it a try, please let us all know how it goes.

Military records website

Thanks for the images, Lindell.

There are some places on the web devoted to the U.S. Army Air Corps. Obtaining information regarding a private individual can be frustrating. Here are some links of interest:

USAF LINKS

Given how difficult the Feds are about information, I might suggest contacting the archives of the home state of the Vet. States often have historical information regarding their veterans and they are not as stogy as the Feds.

Best regards,
Greg

Does anyone know where and how these cases were positioned in the aircraft?

Can someone tell me what these watches were used for?
Thank You
John

Hi John,

The 22 jewel Hamilton 4992B and several other watches of similar high quality were the master navigation timepieces for aircraft. These were used in bombers, transport and long range aircraft. This was used the same as a chronometer was used on a ship at sea. The navigator on board had instruments like a sextant for which the exact time was required to locate position by the sun or stars.

Best regards,
Greg

John,
The watches were used as a master time source for the navigation of aircraft. The watches were set to Greenwich Civil Time ( thus " GCT " on the dial ) The watches were carried in a varity of ways including a rubber shock absorbing case cover, a wooden box with the watch holder suspended by cork to reduce vibrations, and in the metal tub which was designed to reduce magnetization by stray electrical currents in the airplane. Where they were carried in the aircraft would probably be determined by the type of aircraft. The book ["Military Timepieces" by Marvin E. Whitney] indicates that those used by the Navy were carried in a smaller wooden box.

It would be very interesting to meet a WWII navigator and ask what type of aircraft he flew and where he kept his navigation watch.
Fred

Lindell: I have the card board box that the Adamson case came in. The paper label reads as follows: CASE, CARRYING,WATCH,NAVIAGATION
Specification No. 27310
Cont. No. W535ac39273 Ord.No.(535) 43-28150-P
GEO. H. ADAMSON
Tecumseh, Michigan
U. S. A.

I forgot to add that the case that came in the box shows no signs of ever having been used. It is like new condition.

Hi Guys,
I also have an original never used unit, but its marked different. The fsn and the an part number match, but the manufacturer of the case and the markings on the box do not match and yet its brand new never used. Also note the inscription on the front of the case stamped in red ink and very hard to read just below the inspection port.
Fred

b

I also have an unissued case, an Adamson. However, the label is not on the box. It looks like it fell off at some point.

A small amount of rust appeared on the outside of the case. I'm concerned that chemical reactions with the original cardboard box may be to blame. For this reason, I don't keep the case in the box.

Best regards,
Greg