Bubble sextant case
Item
Title
Bubble sextant case
Description
AIR MINISTRY MK. IX AIRCRAFT BUBBLE SEXTANT CASE (BUBBLE SEXTANT NOT PRESENT). The aluminum case, all of whose seams are rivetted, stands 8 7/8" tall, is 7" wide, and has a base depth of 6 3/4" with its cover closed. Its top is 3 1/4" deep with its cover closed, angling outward until it matches the base depth 3 1/2" above it. Rectangular alloy "rings" are rivetted to either side, through which are sewn either end of a 1" x 17 1/2" brown leather carrying handle. Rivetted to the reverse are, to either edge of its base, two aluminum extensions with stud holes to them and, to the center of its top, an identical extension oriented upward. These were no doubt meant to mate with wall mountings. Rivetted to its top are aluminum flanges which mate with the two brass friction clips rivetted to the upper edge of the cover. The lower edge of the cover is hinged, allowing it to open outward. Fed into a rivetted aluminum window to the cover is a celluloid card with, Ref. No. 6B/151 BUBBLE SEXTANT MK. IX, S. S. & S. Ltd., SERIAL NO. 6603/40 INDEX CORR No., printed to it. The leather carrying strap has a mottled appearance, but is still very supple and complete. The exterior of the case is moderately surface scratched, but otherwise intact. The interior is padded along its base, both sides, and the inside of the cover. Two sections of padding are to extensions along the rear interior wall, to one side of which are clips for a vertical component. Fed into similar clips to the other side are two blackened wooden tubes, each 1 1/4" in diameter and 3 7/8" tall. *SEE NOTES
Identifier
985.034.001b
Format
Provenance
Interest in aeronavigational instruments arose with the demonstration of the military potential of aviation during World War I, and built slowly in the 1920s. The introduction of commercial transoceanic flights in the mid-1930s, together with growing international unrest, led to increased attention to this technology. The military services purchased large numbers of these instruments in the early years of World War II, and again during the Cold War, as did commercial airlines in the post war period.
Abstract
Fair
Date Created
1940