Kingson Pocket Calculator

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The Kingson Pocket Calculator is a mechanical adding machine operated by a pointed stylus, that is capable of performing addition and subtraction equations. It has six sliders and a six-digit display.

In the UK, these instruments were mostly used for money, and were specially-designed for the pre-decimal Sterling. The calculator has a decimal converter table printed on the casing beneath the user face.

Our calculator complete with the original box, instructions and soft case were kindly donated by Peter Salt.

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An interesting insight into the use of the Kingson has kindly been provided by Richard Ling - see below and the attached example. 

TRIM SHEETS TAXED MANY MINDS OVER THE YEARS.
 
Is an article from the Book "The RAF Britannia and Its people 1959 to1975". I was a Loadmaster on that aircraft for 7 years where weight and balance or load control was the Loadmaster's responsibility where one of my primary functions was to provide the trim sheet 'copy attached' which indicates to the aircraft captain or pilot the number of "souls” on-board plus baggage/cargo figures and their positions. So as a result, this document also shows that the center of gravity of the aircraft is within balance limits plus the all up aircraft weights are also within their limits.

The centre of gravity position is represented in the form of a diagram for simplicity, whilst the trim sheet will also show "the ideal trim line” advising the user how close they are to ideal trim. What I used to speed my calculations, to ensure a quick turn-round on military exercises, was a ‘Kingson’ Pocket calculator, the computer of its day. Operated by a pointed stylus, clipped to the right side.

Today Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) generate Load and Trim data for some aircraft flights, especially but not only cargo flights. The flight crew have an EFB which they use to calculate aircraft performance data, which takes account of the completed load and trim sheet. They also use the EFB to make the load and trim calculations themselves, so that once it has been checked, all that is required is that a copy be left at the point of departure. Normally press button with an electronic readout it sits in a small panel adjacent to one of the pilots seat.

Manufacturer: Kingson
Date: 1965

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH10923. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Kingson Pocket Calculator


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