German military AEG missile-in-range computer F104

[wepwawet]

Hi, got hands on this and want to share.
Interior looks pretty boring but...

Just wondering how this box could guide a missile in range - from my research this unit was responsible for calculating the correct launching angle for the distance another system had determined.

[JAC]

It's a bit like looking at a car ECU on a bench and wondering how it could be responsible for allowing the car to drive.

[magictom]

Cool stuff. Perhaps it's some kind of analog computer? Do you have an idea when it was made?

[wepwawet]

I am in contact with a previous f104 pilot and he clearly agreed this unit was responsible for a missile launch angle calculation.
The unit was made mid 60ies.
Older than me...

[Vlasta]

have you disassembled it yet?

[wepwawet]

When you look at the firstbimage you see the fifth plug in unit is missing. This is the only part I removed and opened.
It does not contain any ICs,
The most complex parts are two "Transitron 2N343 Silicon NPN Grown Junction Transistors" and one "Germanium PNP MADT Micro Alloy Diffused Base Transistor Type 2N501".

Then two 25 UF capacitors from GE, one Daystrom squaretrim, six glass diodes of two types (2 and 4) that I haven't identified so far and a number of resistors.

The date codes reach from 6209 to 6347.

All was baked into a hermetic package. Means it took very long to open and clean.

Of course now the computer can't calculate the next missile launch any more;-)

And I will leave the rest as is, it seems the other round things are herrmetic as well.

Maybe the pilot gets some more information for me as he got curious and starts investigation himself. He has a very huge private website about the f104.

[magictom]

[wepwawet]

... if it would not miss sooo many other equipment;-)

...can you lend me a missile?