Wood Shield For Magnetic Field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of wood as a material for encasing a compass in the V-1 terror drone, specifically addressing the claims made in a PBS program regarding magnetic interference from the drone's metal chassis. Participants explore the implications of using wood in this context, questioning its effectiveness in shielding against magnetic fields and discussing the nature of the compass used in the V-1 guidance system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about how wood, as an insulator, could effectively shield a compass from magnetic fields, suggesting that it may not block magnetic field lines.
  • Others propose that the wood may have served to position the compass away from the metal chassis, allowing it to function properly by minimizing interference from the metal.
  • A participant mentions that the V-1 was guided by a gyrocompass, which differs from a magnetic compass, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the compass type referenced in the PBS program.
  • Some argue that the wooden frame could create extra distance between the compass and the metal rocket, potentially reducing magnetic interference and aiding in vibration dampening.
  • One participant cites a source suggesting that the use of wood and duralumin was intentional to avoid magnetic influences on the compass, as steel would have affected its operation.
  • A later reply notes an emerging consensus that the wooden enclosure functioned more as a spacer and non-ferrous enclosure rather than as a shield against magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the role of wood in the V-1's compass system, with some agreeing that it likely served as a spacer while others remain uncertain about its effectiveness in blocking magnetic interference. The discussion does not reach a definitive consensus on the exact mechanism at play.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the specific interactions between materials and magnetic fields, as well as the potential for misinterpretation of the compass type used in the V-1 guidance system.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying historical military technology, materials science, or the principles of navigation systems in aerospace engineering.

Hexogen
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So, I was watching PBS's Nazi Mega Weapons, and they were discussing the V-1 terror drone when they said something that made me scratch my head. They said that the Nazis initially had problems with the compass that facilitated navigation because of magnetic interference from the metal in the V-1 chassis. The part that confused me is that they solved this problem by encasing the compass in a wooden shell. I didn't think that an insulator could stop magnetic field lines. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it, unless we can make monopoles now. Any speculation on how this worked, or if the show meant something else when they said this?
 
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Are you sure the wood was a shield? My interpretation of what you wrote would be that the part of the shell of the drone that surrounded the compass was made of wood so that the compass was outside the metal chassis, yet still securely attached to it. ie the wood was to put the compass where the metal chassis wouldn't shield the compass from the Earth's magnetic field.
 
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Maybe the metal was blocking the Earth's magnetic field and the use of wood allowed the compass to work properly.
 
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Hexogen said:
PBS's
Hexogen said:
if the show meant something else
Consider the source; consider the number of different conflicts in which the source has sunk HMS Barham. Ignore source soundtrack and examine raw footage.
 
Hexogen said:
I didn't think that an insulator could stop magnetic field lines.

You don't want to "stop magnetic field lines" from reaching the compass, right? :wink:
 
Hexogen said:
So, I was watching PBS's Nazi Mega Weapons, and they were discussing the V-1 terror drone when they said something that made me scratch my head. They said that the Nazis initially had problems with the compass that facilitated navigation because of magnetic interference from the metal in the V-1 chassis. The part that confused me is that they solved this problem by encasing the compass in a wooden shell. I didn't think that an insulator could stop magnetic field lines. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it, unless we can make monopoles now. Any speculation on how this worked, or if the show meant something else when they said this?
IDK what this program was talking about, but the V-1 was guided by an on-board gyrocompass, which is not the same thing as a magnetic compass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-1_flying_bomb#Guidance_system

A gyrocompass works by spinning up a disk to a very high speed, so much so that the disk maintains its original orientation even though the vehicle carrying it may be moving about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrocompass

Gyros are used to guide all sorts of vehicles, from aircraft to ships to missiles, etc.

The V-1 guidance system was crude and only allowed the craft to fly on a heading set before launch. The range to the target was counted down by a spinner in the nose which cut off fuel to the ramjet when the missile had traveled the required distance. The V-1 then dived unpowered into the target after that point.
 
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Steamking. The gyroscope remained true on the basis of feedback received from a magnetic compass. found that on your wiki page link =)
 
Wouldn't the wooden frame create extra distance between the compass and the metal rocket ? That would surly decrease the magnetic interference. It would probably help somewhat with vibrations to I'm guessing?
 
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Google found a description..

http://www.zenza.se/vw/

In the front of the war head is a light-alloy fairing with a detachable nose cap built of the same material. The object of using duralumin at this point is to keep down magnetic influences, since the magnetic compass is carried in the nose. The compass can be pre-set to guide the aircraft on the desired course; it is carried in a large bowl-shaped wooden receptacle.

So basically they used wood/duralumin instead of steel because steel would affect the compass. Wood/duralumin is also lighter than steel

There is actually a photo of the wooden cover for the V1 compass on this page. Sorry I can't link direct to the photo. Search the page for "V1 wooden nose"

http://spitfirespares.co.uk/Rockets 1.html
 
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Emerging consensus is that it functioned as a spacer and non-ferrous enclosure, rather than any kind of "blocking" which seems to make sense, but is an oddly disappointing answer somehow.
 

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