NavList:

Noel Wilson wrote:  Perhaps everyone is waiting until the last minute but - there is an MA-1 pendulous sextant on eBay (US) now. Three days to go, starting at $185 + $16, and no bids so far. Described as in excellent working condition. Some on this site have described this as the ultimate aircraft sextant.

Would I be correct in thinking the MA-1 is the periscopic model with a ‘haircut’.  If so, be aware that it won’t be light.  The periscopic model is about 7lb.  Knock off 2lb for the periscope and azimuth ring illumination, and it’s going to weigh at least 5lb.  Also, the hand strap, which presumably screws into the blind tapped holes on the LHS, doesn’t appear in the photo.  It might be still in the box.  You’ll need 28V to see the pendulous reference (Did they ever do a 3V version for the European market as they did with the periscopic version?).  I’m presuming it’s the rarity value which leads to the high price.  I bought a 3V periscopic Bundeswehr model from Poland recently for half that price http://www.tdm-electronics.com/en/ .  On a personal note, it's the mountings that are hardest to find.  Could I fit a hand-strap to the holes on the LHS of my 3V periscopic version, and after suitable muscle building exercises in the gym, use it as a ‘hand-held’? The modified '3V torch' to hold the batteries fits nicely into my pocket.  DaveP