NavList:

Alan wrote
"Despite these disadvantages, Admiral
Richard Byrd used a tubular spirit-Ievel artificial horizon mounted on a
conventional sextant to establish his position in his flight over the North
Pole in 1926. Brandis & Sons of Brooklyn produced a few of these
instruments, but they were never widely successful."

Those interested can see some details at http://sextantbook.com/2009/08/ and http://sextantbook.com/2009/05/ . It is thought that Byrd very likely did not reach the Pole and admitted as much to Isaiah Bowman in 1930. If he used "his" sextant (it was patented by Luis de Florez), it would be no great surprise, as it had only one fore and aft level vial and nothing to indicate tilt.

Bill Morris
Pukenui
New Zealand

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