No 32 Mk 2/1 Vickers #347

No 32 Mk 2/1 Vickers No 347

This is the Queen of my collection. Mk 2 build quaility with easy to zero turrets.

Refubished by PL through Fultons

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I have a feeling it might be "Unicam Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd." rather than Vickers.

But I could be wrong.

Anyone seen that exact knurling on a Mk3 scope drum? I haven't.

UIC, according to the archivist at York City Library was the gathering together of the many little independent out source/sub contracting companies that used to out-work for the large Vickers Instruments and CTS in York. They would do a lot of the basic work for these larger companies, set the things up so to speak, get paid and then move on to other work/things so that it didn't upset the real, shop floor production line with yet another department.

I have several drawings of parts that have been annoted with the United Instruments/Vickers drawing office stamp. Maybe further investigation is necessary

Just thinking out aloud......... If it was United Instruments Camberley - as in UIC, then it would be KLW for Kodak Ltd Welwyn or THL for Taylor Hobson Leeds .......no? I thought that the idea of these marks was to HIDE the location of the factory!

I have seen that knurling pattern many times. I think that knurling was one of those things that was left to the sub contractors who were 'free to utilise the best use of their existing machinery' as the wording went. Incidentally, it is little known but there is a difference between a Mk2/1 drum assembly and a Mk3 drum assembly

DPL., Anything to do with the countersinks for the 8 BA screws on the index plates????

ATB

Among other things that I wasn't going to mention.......... That part was to do with the exact and expensive geometry of the lead screw centres.

Hi Peter
Does that mean you can't simply upgrade a Mk2 scope with a Mk3 drum?

PS Watch this space on the Spitfires - JCB are helping to unearth them. I was trying to get some money out of the PR department to hire a JCB Midi Digger for the La Boisselle Project in France but all their money is going to supply the 360 tracked diggers for Burma!

Nigel

I wait witn absolutelty baited breath Nigel. My wager is still stands. I think that JCB would have been better advised to Listen to Aircraft Engineer JM about the effects of corrosion and invest theit time and energy in the Boiselle proiject!!!!!!!!!

Re the UIC Mk2/1 telescopes........... I'll keep it under my hat but to make up a UIC 'replica' and fool the knowing isn't going to be that simple.............