Gyroscopic release and single-bomb accuracy

Trials showed that a bomb's impact point could disappear from the pilot's view, especially in an upwind attack. A cheap gyroscope wired to the release gear could have dropped the bomb automatically as the pilot began the pull-out, reducing the need to coordinate two demanding actions. Langley argued that improved accuracy justified the wiring, while opponents cited cost and used stick-bomb patterns that did not address the naval need for one direct hit. Because Fleet Air Arm aircraft lacked a level-bombing mission and its associated instrumentation, he also argued that they had already saved wiring weight elsewhere. Even the compromise left production and maintenance objections hanging over adoption.