I have just been wiring up a 1944 AM mk3A turret gunsight and I have been able to get it working with both the night and day intensity circle and dot.
Unlike in the larger US reflector gunsight which I have, that projects clearly onto the glass – this one only appears to project onto the inner glass and the gunner would appear to have to look through the small channel to see the circle and dot.
Despite having converted it to 12V and twin pin bulbs – I have tried different power sources and bulb wattages – but still only visible from one side.
If this is correct – was it aligned with just the left eye for sighting?
Or more generally how did this gun sight work ?
It have read that the US copied it and used the design in their turrets – so it must have been successful.
Attached some very poor – long exposure images of it against a V1 Rudder.
By: FarlamAirframes - 11th January 2013 at 19:30
Thank Andy and Ian.
I am not sure how/whether to mount it behind the Tarpon/Avenger glass as the glass is a very heavy and large item without having it at 30 degrees from the vertical with a gun mount behind it. In addition you would have to sit behind it to use the working sight.
The US one is an exact match to the AM one apart from stamps and labels.
I bought some items from Curtiss (Aviation Antiques) which arrived this week- some of his items were cheaper elsewhere and some were cheaper with him. They were very helpful.
Nowhere else to buy things until Shoreham….
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th January 2013 at 17:14
Some years ago RAFM shop were selling quantities of some red or pinkish covered publications from the 40s or 50s (not exactly APs) on things like radio equipment, instruments etc. There was one on gunsights. I think they were stamped with the RAF crest and Air Ministry AHB.
I think I know somebody with the gunsight one which covered yours in some detail if you cannot get the actual AP.
I will ask him this evening.
By: ian_ - 11th January 2013 at 17:05
It was a direct copy of the British version, I think only the label being different. Unfortunately I sold one a year or so ago for a lot less than I’d hoped and certainly less than this. http://aviation-antiques.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1001107
Will still look the part mounted in front of your armoured glass. Some FAA Corsairs came with US gun sights so I would imagine Tarpons did also.
By: FarlamAirframes - 11th January 2013 at 15:27
Ok I have found several pics of it in Lancaster rear turrets, mid upper and in Wellingtons as well as the US version in a Grumman Avenger.
It was dead central.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Wellington_tail_turret_1942_IWM_CH_13880.jpg
The front piece of smoked glass folds down to aid vision .
The rheostat has Night and Day settings – bright and normal.
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January 10, 2013 at 8:01 pm