Oddball No32 you may not have encountered before......

[Roger Payne]

........because I certainly hadn't. I'd heard that they were approved; that's accepted fact, but of any small quantity that may have been produced on an experimental or trials basis, there is no known trace. This all goes back about 25 years. At the time, I had a spare No32 Mk1 tube, & spoke with Peter to see how I should go about 'making' my own example. I had no idea of markings (ok, I know ideas have changed somewhat in the interim, but this was for myself), so Peter made enquiries of a sadly now deceased old Enfield engineer who had kept some old archived notes of his time in service. Luckily he had the information that I needed to incorporate the correct markings on the scope tube to indicate its change of designation.

The idea then got forgotten about........for years & years. A few months ago, to my surprise, I stumbled on the scope tube in a drawer. Again, I put it to one side, but this time only for a matter of weeks. As I've just eluded to above, views on what is acceptable or desirable to do with conversions, copies, tribute items, call them what you will, seems to have changed over the years. However, what was done was done, so I decided to complete it. I owe a big thank you to Peter for putting himself out to find out more about markings & such like, as well as tips on assembly. Anyway, after several months of off & on work, much cussing & frustration, here it is;

The No32 Mk1/1 OS 1399 GA.

In simple terms it's the equivalent conversion to the Mk2/1, but executed on the Mk1 scope, hence Mk1/1. They were approved to be converted from existing Mk1 stocks, but unlike the 2/1 were never proceeded with. I don't know why, perhaps because of the inconsistent anti-backlash facility, or the fact that the ocular lenses are still mounted directly into the tube & not into the protective confines of the lens cell.......who knows?

Unless somebody else has made one, or there is an original stashed away somewhere unbeknown to us, that is the only one extant, & that made up after the event. The uncharitable might call it a fake......!


Addendum - Sorry about the truly appalling background newspaper content. I never noticed at the time!!

[Brian B]

Nicely done Roger!!

[Peter Laidler]

One thing you didn't mention from the IFCI report is the fact that it '......must contain a desiccation facility in a non obstructive position .....' Blah blah in the usual official way, that it must not interfere with the operation of the telescope during operational field work. To be honest, a reasonable try but the internals and leaky Mk1 ocular lenses, it were still optically just a Mk1, converted to Mk2/1 standard. And with plenty of Mk3's coming on stream by '44 it was a forlorn hope. Just my opinion.

The sad part is that my friend Dr NT who supplied the old 1/1 tele docs when the old ROF Woolwich closed down has just passed away

The many Mk2's and 2/1's we had in the Far East were dessicated but the screw was on the underside of the turret, protected by the cradle. To be honest, the Mk1/1 idea looks like a better bet to me.

You must have had that scope or the tube for MANY years as I got the paperwork/design drawings in the 90's as I recall

[Roger Payne]

Thanks Peter. Yes, I agree - in spite of the conversion you still have the original separate lenses mounted directly into the tube, & maybe only one or even no anti-backlash springs. Thanks for clarifying re the dessication screw. The Mk1/1 may not have won any cigars, but I'm glad I have an example at last, even if just as a curiosity!