THE 6B/346 WATCH (MK.11) ON THE FIRST NYLON NATO STRAP, THE 1954 ISSUE 6B/2617

THE 6B/346 WATCH (MK.11) ON THE FIRST NYLON NATO STRAP, THE 1954 ISSUE 6B/2617

After WW2, having used the USAF A-11 watch in the RAF 6B/234 designation, the Air Ministry decided to modify the A-11, and issued the 6B/346 watch specification in late 1946 or early 1947. At that stage the Air Ministry was independent from the War Office (the Army), and procured its own equipment with stores reference numbers commencing 6B/xxxx. (The Vocabulary of Royal Airforce Equipment, AP1086, Book 7, Section 6B lists all Aircraft Navigation Equipment and Accessories).

The specification called for a watch which was very similar to the A-11. The main difference was that chronometer-grade performance was specified, along with anti-magnetic properties. (Type A-11 wristwatches were manufactured in accordance with military specification 94-27834, published in 1940).

 

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