Kneeboard marked “MEWA 1941”

Made of aluminium and felt padded on the back it is attached to the pilot’s thigh by means of a leather strap. A pencil can be stored in a small tube leading across the interior of the kneepad. A small clamp prevents the stored pencil from sliding off the tube.

The use of wooden pencils was strongly recommended as loose metal or plastic pens fallen to the cockpit floor could permanently block rudder, elevator or aileron controls, while a wooden pencil would break into pieces when enough power was applied in an attempt to free the controls.

A roll of thin paper of approx. 2m length attached to two turning screws provides enough space for flight planning or flight recording data.
This specific kneepad still has an original paper roll containing data from a DH 112 Venom FB Mk.1 (J-1534) test flight, dated 12 February 1972.These vintage kneeboards are sometimes still observed being in use today...

Almost identical to the “MEWA 1941” kneeboard, this unmarked example was used during basic training in the late '80.

It still contains an original paper roll with data from missions flown in Pilatus PC-7 trainers in 1987.

Above: Kneeboard marked “Alfred Bolleter AG””

Made of aluminium and felt padded on the back it is attached to the pilot’s thigh by means of an elastic strap which is hooked onto the main structure. Checklists and other data can be attached by means of a ring binder mechanism on the left side.

An additional ring binder mechanism marked “Krause” has been added “in the field” on top of the kneeboard in order to attach the elsewhere described operational checklists, this specimen sporting one for the DH 115 Vampire Trainer. The pilot further personalized this kneeboard by adding another elasticized band to prevent the attached documents from flapping around.

Left and right, Jeppesen KNE-NAV-KN-3 Kneeboard.