[Milsurplus] Top Secret: Before The Proximity Fuse.

[David Stinson]

Most people don't know about the Top Secret,
complex
and sophisticated device developed by the U.S.
Navy 
to set burst altitude for AA fire before the
Proximity Fuse.
One wonders why they spent the money and time when
they
had so amazing a device.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/had3oLacdPH3Azfq2

It was so Secret at the time, it had to be held no

further than two feet from you, lest some Storm
Trooper
jump out from under a bush and snatch it from you.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AdGBRoDZfIamEmgq2

But at last, this wonder of the modern world has
been declassified and can be revealed to us rubes.
Here it is!   

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gh7YJB7FQlsjITjc2
 (German version)

Operation could be intimidating, but an intensive
training course gave confidence.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8SLKIrBujlu7GJh73

1. Hold Super Secret device two feet from your
eye.
2. *Guess* the type of aircraft and altitude.
3.  Adjust the central rotating doo-hicky to
    enclose the aircraft's wings between 
    the two indicator wires.
4. Read the altitude (multipliers on the indicator
    pointers), cross your fingers and FIRE!

I had a manual for this thing but God knows where.
Most surprising: they made at least 82,737 of
them.


73 OM DE Dave AB5S