IL2

Dornier Do-17Z NJG_ (P_+DH) 01-02

Photo’s 01-02: This Dornier Do-17Z-10 was one of a small number of aircraft fitted with 'Spanner 1', an experimental infiared device that had been designed to help pilots see in the dark. It consisted of an infiared searchlight mounted in the nose of the aircraft and a sight mechanism that protruded through the windscreen. Once the aircraft was airborne, the device would be switched on and the searchlight emitted an infiared light. The sight was then used by the pilot to detect any reflected energy, principally from the exhausts of a bomber's engines. However, in practice, the device proved to be rather ineffective and its operational life was short. 'Spanner Ü' was different in that the searchlight was deleted and the sight had a wider acquisition angle.