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  #1  
Old 09-06-13, 02:12
David DeWeese David DeWeese is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 357
Default MkV Heliograph wanted

Hi,

Was asked to display my C8 at a gun and militaria show here in Dallas this weekend. The only Commonwealth items there were some extremely overpriced Brens and such. I did find this tripod a bargain price, at the time I didn't know what it actually was, but bought it anyway..

I now need to find a MkV heliograph to put with it to make it complete...Did some research, and it's a fascinating piece of military equipment. Want to do a display with a complete working heliograph unit for folks to see.

It reads "Stand Lamp or Helio "A" MK III" on the tripod. What type lamp could the tripod also be used for?

The last photo is of the pieces I need, but currently on eBay UK with only a very few hours left. I was hoping to find one in Canada if possible..


Thanks, David
Attached Images
File Type: jpg MKV heliograph.jpg (39.9 KB, 33 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF0226.jpg (63.9 KB, 34 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF0225.jpg (67.0 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF0221.jpg (76.9 KB, 29 views)

Last edited by David DeWeese; 09-06-13 at 06:36. Reason: added info
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  #2  
Old 10-06-13, 00:43
BCA BCA is offline
Brian Asbury
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 658
Default heligraphs

A shame; I recently sent my extra heliographs to a militaria auction. The common configuration has just a single mirror but the duplex mirror system shown in one of your photos is the nicest set-up. There is also an electric lamp, battery powered; the one I have is labelled: Lamp Electric Signalling Daylight Mark II-1918. I've seen tripods made in Toronto with WW2 dates. Others I've seen have WW1 dates. Somewhere I have a books of communications devices that includes a full description of the heliographs - can't put my finger on it right now but will keep looking.
The photos show a particularly nice example - in particular the nice condition of the duplex mirror case and contents. ............. Brian
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  #3  
Old 10-06-13, 04:05
David DeWeese David DeWeese is offline
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Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 357
Default heliograph....

Thanks Brian for the reply and information!

Darn, wish I had found this tripod sooner. In all honesty I had never heard of a heliograph until I picked this up yesterday. I love this hobby as there is always something new and interesting to learn about!

My tripod has Mis-Can-Ada Ltd. Ottawa 1941 pressed into the wood on all three legs. Tried to do a Google search for the manufacturer, but all it kept coming up with was Miss Canada, which was most certainly a pleasant distraction.

If you find anything new, please let me know. Would also be interested to know what your battery-powered signal light looks like.

Thanks again,
David
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  #4  
Old 10-06-13, 05:33
rob love rob love is offline
carrier mech
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Shilo MB, the armpit of Canada
Posts: 7,594
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It could be Mississauga Canada. I have this same name on a trench mirror dated 1943.
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  #5  
Old 12-06-13, 16:51
universalgrl universalgrl is offline
Roberta
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Comox BC
Posts: 157
Default Visual signalling equipment

The manual you need is "Signal Training (all Arms) Pamphlet No. 2 Visual Signalling. There are 10 manuals in this set.
1. Signalling codes.
2. Visual signalling
3. Electricity and line signaling.
4. Wireless signalling
5. Signal procedure.
6. Procedure for Arty fire orders
7.Procedure for inter-service vis signalling
8. Signal office working
9. Training
10.Signal tactics

I have duplicates for 1 and 2 both dated 1942.

A full set of signalling equipment consists of the following.

1. I set of semaphore flags (easy to make).
2. 1 lamp signalling daylight short range (comes in wood or metal case) 1943
3. Heliograph 5-in MK V date unknown.
4. Tripod, fits both heliograph and daytime lamp. 1941
Those 4 items make up your sending station
5. Telescope signaling MK III or MK IV 1914
6. Tripod telescope stand 1914
These 2 item make up your receiving station.

Supposedly there was a trench variant of the telescope tripod but have never seen an example. Most spotters would have laid the telescope on the edge of the trench. My tripod will be restored to the correct height to match the other one


universalgrl
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCF3832.jpg (123.8 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3834.jpg (123.5 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3836.jpg (124.6 KB, 23 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3833.jpg (125.3 KB, 23 views)
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Roberta Jayne Melville CD II QJ

MK I * universal carrier
1942 WLC Harley under restoration
1957 M38A1 jeep
R.E.L. optical equipment
Military manuals
Field phones
MK II 19 set (needs work)
4 MK III W-19 sets
AN/PRC-9
CPRC-26
WS-29 componets
WS-38 AFV
WS-38 MK III
WS-48 with generator
WS-58 MK I
MK V heliograph

Last edited by universalgrl; 13-06-13 at 23:12. Reason: Add pictures
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  #6  
Old 14-06-13, 04:23
David DeWeese David DeWeese is offline
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Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 357
Default thanks!

Thanks Rob and Roberta for the replies!

Roberta, you have some very nice signalling equipment there!

Is the piece I arrowed in your photo a cap to protect the threads on the top of the tripod, or? Mine only has the chain left...

Would be very interested in your two spare manuals. Will pm.

Since the subject of trench optics has been touched on by you and Rob, does anyone know where I can get an original handle for the item in the last two photos?

Thanks again, David
Attached Images
File Type: jpg tripod.jpg (110.1 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF0227.jpg (34.7 KB, 18 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF0228.jpg (34.8 KB, 19 views)
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  #7  
Old 14-06-13, 05:05
horsa's Avatar
horsa horsa is offline
David Gordon
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lorena, Texas, USA
Posts: 619
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You need a few Aldis lamps to complete the layout Roberta.

And yes David, that cap on the chain protects the threads at the end of the tripod for transit.
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  #8  
Old 14-06-13, 05:40
universalgrl universalgrl is offline
Roberta
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Comox BC
Posts: 157
Default Heliograph tripod

Dave
Here are pics of the cap and the 2 manuals.
The cap measures 19/32 high, 2 25/64 across the brim and 1 11/64 across the top of the cap.
I also have 4 R.E.L. pieces in my collection.
Binocular No. 2 CDN MK 2/5 1944
Binocular No. 5 CDN MK 2/4 1945
Trench periscope No 25 MK I 1943
Infantry range finder No. CAN-135 1942
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSCF3846.jpg (86.0 KB, 11 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3848.jpg (65.3 KB, 11 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3845.jpg (70.2 KB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF3843.jpg (72.5 KB, 9 views)
__________________
Roberta Jayne Melville CD II QJ

MK I * universal carrier
1942 WLC Harley under restoration
1957 M38A1 jeep
R.E.L. optical equipment
Military manuals
Field phones
MK II 19 set (needs work)
4 MK III W-19 sets
AN/PRC-9
CPRC-26
WS-29 componets
WS-38 AFV
WS-38 MK III
WS-48 with generator
WS-58 MK I
MK V heliograph
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  #9  
Old 14-06-13, 05:40
Bruce Parker (RIP) Bruce Parker (RIP) is offline
GM Fox I
 
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Location: SW Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horsa View Post
You need a few Aldis lamps to complete the layout Roberta.
And some flags.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Flags.JPG (34.2 KB, 7 views)
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  #10  
Old 14-06-13, 05:53
horsa's Avatar
horsa horsa is offline
David Gordon
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lorena, Texas, USA
Posts: 619
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Shot attached has the inverse of your flag Bruce. Maybe daytime and nighttime versions?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg SignalTraining.jpg (34.3 KB, 4 views)
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David Gordon - MVPA # 15292
'41 Willys MB British Airborne Jeep
'42 Excelsior Welbike Mark I
'42 BSA M20 Motorcycle
'43 BSA Folding Military Bicycle
'43 BSA M20 Motorcycle
'44 Orme-Evans Airborne Trailer No. 1 Mk. II
'44 Airborne 100-Gallon Water Bowser Trailer
'44 Ford T-16 Universal Carrier
'44 Jowett Cars 4.2-Inch Towed Mortar
'44 Daimler Scout Car Mark II
'45 Studebaker M29C Weasel
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  #11  
Old 21-07-15, 15:44
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Tim Bell Tim Bell is offline
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Location: Tamar Valley, Cornwall
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Quote:
Originally Posted by universalgrl View Post
snip...

Supposedly there was a trench variant of the telescope tripod but have never seen an example. Most spotters would have laid the telescope on the edge of the trench. My tripod will be restored to the correct height to match the other one


universalgrl
I have a telescope tripod with much longer legs - I assume this is the variant you refer to. I have always assumed that all tripods were originally with the longer legs and then some cut down at a later date.

I can dig the tripod out sometime and take pics if this is any use?

Cheers

Tim
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