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The scope is called a Telescope Bearing No.8 MK1 and forms an integral part of the Kerrison Predictor Fire Control System. During the Luftwaffe attacks on London it was one of the first fully automated anti aircraft fire control systems to protect Londoners from Hitlers German dive and heavy bombers.
The British Army’s new Bofors 40 mm guns were intended as their standard low-altitude anti-aircraft weapons. However, existing gunnery control systems were inadequate for the purpose; the range was too far to “guess” the lead before the target, but at the same time close enough that the angle could change faster than the gunners could turn the traversal handles. Trying to operate a calculating gunsight at the same time was an added burden on the gunner. Making matters worse was that these ranges were exactly where the Luftwaffe’ s dive bombers were attacking from, which were quickly proving to be a decisive weapon in the Blitzkrieg.
The Predictor proved to be able to hit practically anything that flew in a straight line, and it was particularly effective against dive bombers. However, it was also very complex, including over 1,000 precision parts and weighing over 500 lb (230 kg), even though much of it was made of aluminum to reduce weight. With the demands of the RAF for almost all light metals and machinists, the Predictor was far too difficult for the Army to produce in any quantity making components of this system quite rare today.
By February 1941, the U.S. Navy had, because of its effectiveness, also adopted the Bofors for use on their ships. To ease production problems, the Army reluctantly standardized on the 40 mm in February 1941; the U.S. was building the Bofors for the British under the Land-Lease Program.
This is a rare opportunity to own a part of some cutting edge weaponry that saved so many allied lives during the second world war. The optics are still very clear with only slight blemishes and although the magnification is low, the field of view is very wide as one would imagine it would have to be to capture the Nazi Stukas, Junkers, Heinkel and Messerschmitts in its sights. This item is small and sturdy enough to make a fantastic desk ornament and would also look amazing on a shelf or in a case.The wear on this scope would be fully expected for a piece of equipment that saw action in WWII.The buyer of this rare piece of world history will own an enviable reminder of the heroism and innovation that lead to the Allies ultimate victory in that great world conflict.
Category: Cameras and Photography:Telescopes and Binoculars:Telescopes
Location: London
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