NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Line of position computer
From: Dave Walden
Date: 2008 Aug 17, 17:45 -0700
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From: Dave Walden
Date: 2008 Aug 17, 17:45 -0700
Anyone familiar with the Fairchild-Maxson, Line of Postition Computer? Is it all mechanical?
US Navy BuAero MKI Type 193 Line Of Position mechanical computer in the original case with supplemental date control group. It was designed by Fairchild-Maxson and manufactured by Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation, New York, NY. The serial number is 123. Matching numbers are on the face plate. This is the data plate located on the side of the device. It comes in a very robust wooden fitted and padded case. The stencil on the top of the
case indicates it is a RESTRICTED device, as does the face plate of the computer. This classification was routine declassified several years after the end of the war.
Controls include DATE SET (QUARTER and YEAR). Year shown is 1941. ALTITUDE, DECLINATION, LONGITUDE, LATITUDE, GREENWICH CIVIL TIME, and RIGHT ASCENTION and SUN STAR are set on wheels. The SOLAR DECLINATION and LINE OF POSITION are indicated on two three needle dials. When the pointers are aligned, the LOP is indicated.
It measures 11-1/2 wide by 6-1/2 high by 8-1/2 inches deep. It weighs almost 20 pounds out of the case. In the case, it is about 30 pounds. The case measures 8 inches high, 16 inches wide and 10 inches deep. It has a captive canvas carrying strap.
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Navigation List archive: www.fer3.com/arc
To post, email NavList@fer3.com
To , email NavList-@fer3.com
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