I am very fortunate to have my Father's logbook and personal diaries from 1944-45. These guys were going on Ops at night in four engine aircraft with less than 500TT
Not forgetting these chaps were flying single pilot IFR as well. Flight instruments included only one gyroscopic driven artificial horizon and a directional gyro compass; both of which would topple over and become unusable beyond 55 degrees angles of bank. So if you were attacked by an enemy fighter and whipped into a steep turn to evade a stream of cannon shells, you could count on not only instantly losing your AH but having to recover from an unusual attitude on Limited panel in IMC.
That left you with a single Turn and Balance indicator (known as Bat and Ball or Turn and Slip Indicator depending on its design). Hence the origin of the term Limited Panel flying. Also called flying on Primary instruments - the T&B being considered the primary instrument as it would not topple. Then the pilot had to hold level un-accelerated flight waiting for the P8 magnetic compass to settle down before trying to synchronise it and the directional gyro (after you had caged then uncaged it). Meanwhile the enemy pilot or radar controlled anti-aircraft guns were just waiting for you to fly straight and level before having another go..
Contrast that with todays Airbus and Boeing four-bar aces who scream blue murder if the flight director is turned off in daylight..
