The cockpit of Horsa DP 349 was destroyed in the crash in 1942, however, a number of items from the cockpit were discovered in a shallow “V” shaped ditch. One of the most interesting items was the remains of the altimeter complete with the makers plate on the rear. The altimeter was made by the American company Kollsman who still produce aircraft instruments. I contacted Kollsman to see if they could tell me anything about the Altimeter.

To Kollsman:

I have just returned from a Royal Air Force expedition to Norway to recover parts of one of the Airspeed Horsa assault gliders used in the attempted attack on the Heavy Water plant at Vermork (Operation Freshman) on 19/20 November 1942.

Both of the gliders crashed due to poor weather and inability to successfully find the landing area, and the survivors of the crash landings were executed on the direct orders of Adolf Hitler.  Horsa DP349 crashed near to Lysebotn, and it is the remains of this aircraft that the expedition set out to find.  Although the aircraft was extensively damaged on landing, and subsequently caught fire due to a pyrotechnic accident when being examined by one of the local population, we have found significant wreckage both on and below the surface.

One of the most interesting finds is fragments of the altimeter (picture attached).  The details of the altimeter are as follows:

Kollsman Sensitive Altimeter Mk XIVA

Serial No. 2160/40  6A/685

Patents No. 381, 443 & 393, 272

I would be very interested in any information that you can give me regarding this instrument.

Reply from Kollsman:

I am in receipt of your e-message and photograph.

Unfortunately, I am unable to locate any information, whatsoever, on the altimeter in question.

Because this altimeter had early WWII applications, its age exceeds the oldest records I can locate that contain usable data.

I have made a note of the part/type number and will keep looking, and of course will transmit any data I can find.

Regards

KOLLSMAN PRODUCT SUPPORT

Then we received a most helpful email from a member of the International Cockpit Club.

Here's a pic of what your altimeter face would have looked like. This is a Mk. XIVA altimeter in the Kollsman pattern case.

The serial indicates it was made in 1940 and the Stores Ref. indicates that the dial had luminous markings.

Hope this helps,