Type 1 Mk 1 projector  Gunsight (pg1 Gun No 57)

Here we have a Type MK I projector gunsight, dated 1944. with a MK III rocket firing sight head.

 I have yet to discover the difference between a reflector and a projector other than the latter was made later in the War. I think there is no difference and for some reason they gave the sight a different name.

 If you were to remove the rocket firing sight head any standard square or oval top head would fit.

These sights are actually rarer than the MK II reflectors most likely because they were made in lower numbers.

 The sight head operates as a standard day fighter sight and also to fire rockets, most commonly fitted to the Hawker Typhoon but also used by Beaufighters and Mosquitoes who both had rocket firing capabilities for ground attack. Even the mighty Tiger tank could not survive a strike from a 60Lb rocket.

This sight is in superb condition the reticule is a clean and crisp Day fighter orange. Its complete with its bulb holder. Its totally original and the best example of this sight I have seen. It does have a tiny chip in the glass which is also original.

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Above left and below the Awesome Hawker Typhoon with its compliment of 60Lb rockets. Far right this is the view from this gusight aimed at a Wartime picture taken from a Typhoons camera gun as it unleashes its 60Lb rockets which you can see in the image.

Ref No: 8B/2518

Ref No: 8B/2519

Ser No: 14212/44

Dated 1944

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Sorry now sold and out of stock more wanted please contact me

Spitfire Gun Camera Counter Type 45 (pg1 Gun Nos 56)

This is a Gun camera counter, it controlled the exposure of the Gun camera and recorded how much footage had been used so the ground crew could change out the camera film. These were fitted in fighters only and in the Spitfire to the LHS of the cockpit. This one is complete and in good original condition.

Type 45

14A/1435

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Seen in situ above in a Spitfire cockpit

Ships free worldwide

A/M 8B/2361

Dated 1941

Above you can see the MKII sight fitted to a MK V Spitfire , note this MK V is still using the early style round Temp gauges.

Mk II Reflector Day fighter Gunsight (pg1 Gun Nos 55)

Here we have a 100% original Day Fighter MK II reflector Gunsight . This Gunsight was the mainstay of Fighter command fitted to all single seat fighters most notably in the Spitfire and Hurricane until the introduction of the Ace maker Gyro Gunsight . Although the Ace Maker Gyro sight was introduced in 1943 some Pilots preferred the original sight as they were skilled at deflection shooting . Britains top scoring fighter ace of the War Johnny Johnson had the MK II Giro in his famous MK IX Spitfire EN 398 replaced with the MK II sight shortly after it arrived from the factory. EN 398 went on the destroy 18 enemy aircraft.

This particular example is totally original and complete having its original glass and bulb holder, the glass has a few nibbles on the edges but is generally in good shape for an original. The reticule is perfect with a clean crisp image as can be seen below. I like to have a bit of fun with the pictures of the  sighting ring and the one below is a shot taken from a war time Spitfires gun camera using this actual sight. Its targeting a FW 190 which itself is attacking a Lancaster and the 190 has taken hits.

As you can see from the pictures the sight is in good condition with no corrosion on the data plate . It is dated 1941 so quite an early example, the MK V Spitfire entered service in 1941 and although there is no guarantee, statistically it was most likely fitted to a MK V Spitfire being the most numerous front line fighter then in service.

In 1941 Fighter Command began a campaign to gain air superiority over Northern France. A War of attrition was started with fighter incursions into France to draw up the Luftwaffe and keep as many aircraft tied up and away from Russia as possible.

The date and condition of this sight means it certainly saw considerable action throughout the war.

Shown above the MK V Spitfire of the famous fighter Ace Bob Stanford Tuck. Like many skilled Pilots who came through the Battle of Britain Tuck was shot down in 1942 while taking part in a hazardous Rhubarb mission in France. Taking the fight to the enemy caused high casualties among Britains fighter Pilots. In the end Tuck was shot down by an anti aircraft gun not another aircraft but not before destroying one gun and its crew. One of His 20mm cannon shells spit the barrel like a flower having scored a direct hit. This  incident saved Him from being lynched by the angry crew of the other Gun who had just seen their comrades decimated.

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Sorry sold more always wanted please contact me

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Giro MK 10 Gunsight (pg1 Gun Nos 54)

Here we have a Mk.10 Giro Gunsight in Near Excellent Condition in its Original Box

It is a Radar Ranged Sight and was Used in the Hawker Hunter Jet

Unfortunately the glass is broken however there is an undamaged spare included in the box

This Carries the Reference Number 8B/5014

Overseas buyers please contact me for a shipping cost.

303753

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You see it below to the right of the cockpit.  Air Ministry marked.

10Q/1475

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(No 49 pg1 Gun)

 This one is just the shell but has its original lens.

 8B/2507

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£299

 This one is just the shell but gives you a unique opportunity to purchase he rarest of aviation collectables.

 The tube at the bottom is plastic and not original it has been added for effect. The top lens holder is 100% original and in good condition.

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£299

CONTROL BOX FOR SENSITIVITY AND RANGE FOR "Z" IFF TRANSMITTER FITTED TO REAR OF LANCASTER AIRCRAFT.

THIS CONTROLLED THE HIGH VOLTAGE Z TUBE FITTED (listed above)

 IN LATE 1944 FN120 AND FN82 GUN TURRETS. THE "Z" TUBE WOULD DETECT THE TWO INFRA-RED PROJECTOR LIGHTS FITTED TO BOMB-AIMERS BLISTER OF LANCASTER BOMBERS.

WHEN DETECTED THIS WOULD LOCK THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THE TURRET, PREVENTING FIRING INTO FRIENDLY BOMBERS.

MARKED WITH MILITARY BROAD ARROW. THIS WAS REMOVED FROM AN FN82 REAR GUN TURRET OF LANCASTER RT 686.

GOOD CONDITION. MEASURES 5" X 3.5" X 2.5"

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Gun Sighting Telescope (No 44 pg1 Gun)

B25 Gunsight (No 42 pg1 Gun)

Here we have a Type N-6A Gunsight as used in the B25 Bomber

Early N-6s were fitted with a 29.7 mil ring reticule later replaced by a more standard 70 mil ring reticule.

N-6 was also field modified to be used as a fixed gunsight on B-25 in the PTO. One of the most famous being “PAPPY’S FOLLY”, the very own B-25 of Col. Paul “Pappy” Gunn

£85

Here we have a ORD Mk.74 Elbow Telescope Binocular. This was used by the United States Navy.

 It has four different lens filters with 20x25 magnification. The optics are a bit cloudy.

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MK II D Series 3

Ref no 8B/2669

24 Volts

No 16135/42R

5C/1318

£1995

Ace Maker MK II D Gyro Gunsight (No 40 pg1 Gun)

This a classic MK IID Gyro Gunsight nicknamed the Ace Maker. On the previous reflector sights it was important you could deflection shoot; basically be able work out how far in front of a moving target you had to aim for the bullets to arrive on target.

 Most of the successful fighter pilots had this skill. Many coming from a background where, prior to joining the RAF, they had done alot of shooting at moving targets like Pheasant and Grouse therefore they understood the principle and had experience.

The Gyro Gunsight changed all this as it worked out the deflection for the pilot using a gyro so basically all the pilot had to do was aim directly at the target and fire.

 Being an Ace in WWII meant you had shot down five aircraft or more and this peace of ingenious technology rapidly increased the number of Aces.

Of course technology could never replace a person who had exceptional skill, and Britains top ace of the War had his Gyro removed and replaced with a standard reflector sight when his new aircraft arrived from the factory.

This sight is in great original condition, complete, and dated 1942.  

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  Seen above centre in situ in s Spitfire

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£3500

Ferranti MK I Gyro Gunsight (No 38 pg1 Gun)

Revi C/12D Gunsight Base plate and Mount (No 37 pg1 Gun)

This is a top quality reproduction base plate and mount for the Revi gunsight. It is entirely made of metal exactly to scale following the original drawings.

Originals of these are practically non existent.

Two sets available

£295 each for the plate and mount

Despite appearances this is in fact a reproduction of the REVI C/12D . Please enlarge the pictures to see just how good this is, ideal for a cockpit or display originals currently change hands at over £5000.

Shown below the BF 109 E seen in situ below right in the cockpit of the BF 109E

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This reproduction of the Revi C12 D is made as per the original  many parts are metal .The chin pad is made of genuine leather sewn like original.

The 12D was for fighter use and used in the following aircraft types. He100D.  Bf109D/E/F.  Bf109G-6/G-8. Bf109G-10. Fw190A-2.  A-8 Bf110 D. Hs129 C

English Electric Lightening Gunsight (No 35 pg1 Gun)

We do not usually list Jet parts on this website unless they served in WWII but the lightening does have an affinity with the Spitfire in the fact it was really the last pure interceptor fighter produced in Great Britain. Designed for exactly the same purpose as the Spitfire with short range it was designed to climb and intercept as fast as possible incoming bombers . The major difference being these bombers would have been loaded with nuclear bombs.

The English Electric Lightning was developed from the prototype P1 (WG760) which first flew on 4th August 1954. Following progression through P1A and P1B, the Lightning was born and this magnificent flying machine entered service with No 74 Squadron at RAF Coltishall in June 1960. It was the RAF’s first truly supersonic fighter.
The aircraft’s design was as a supersonic fighter requiring an ample surplus of power for acceleration and manoeuvre at altitude and hence the need for two engines. A unique feature was the staggered configuration of these engines, one above the other with the upper engine to the rear giving a frontal area only 50% greater than that for a single power-plant. The Lightning was a ‘pilot’s aeroplane’. It was delightful to handle, being extremely responsive through the entire range of 130 knots to Mach 2 plus.
This gunsight is in good condition and complete dated 1958.

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Mk II Giro Gunsight Sun Shield (No 34 pg1 Gun)

These are very hard to find parts original sun shield for the MK II Giro Gunsight, probably also used in later versions.

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It was produced in single, twin, triple, and quadruple versions, The original single Mark 4 mount began to replace the .50/cal. Browning Machine Gun with deliveries to the fleet beginning in mid-1941. These guns were also fitted to armed merchantmen sailing back and forth across the treacherous Atlantic ocean as a protection against submarines.

The original 20-mm gun mounts were equipped with open-ring sights for aiming. Through a set of handlebars and shoulder rests the operators’ body movements controlled the pointing and training of the guns. The operators had to lead the target in both traverse and elevation. Usually, every fifth round in the ammunition belt was a tracer that assisted the operators in spotting their fire.

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Shown under the image from a day Fighter sight for comparison to the night Fighter image shown above.

MK II N Night Fighter Reflector Gunsight (No 31 pg1 Gun)

Dated 1943 MK II N 8B/2361

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This is a classic MK II reflector Gunsight designed for use in night fighters.

 The night fighter sight is designated as a MK II N the N standing for Night.

 It differs from the daytime sight in that it just has a single circle with a dot in the middle as apposed the orange image with the horizontal lines of the day sight .

 The picture of the image looks out of focus and blurry in the photo but is crisp and clear to the eye.

This sight is in completely original except for the glass .

 It unfortunately does not have a box or a bulb holder and was illuminated for the pictures using a light box we have to taking pictures.

The mainstay of RAF Night Fighters by 1943 was the Beaufighter and the Mosquito because they could both carry the bulky airborne radar used to track enemy aircraft and were both fast and very heavily armed.

 Both used this sight so being dated 1943 it was most certainly used by one of these aircraft.

By 1943 German bombing had become sporadic at best and so the Mosquito in particular was used offensively against German night fighters.

Shown above a Mosquito night fighter note the radar antenna on the nose.

 £895

B 25 Static Gunsight (No 30 pg 1 Gun)

This is an original World War Two North American B-25C Mitchel Medium Bomber Upper turret backup metal gunsight..

The sight is designed to be used if the electric sight fails. It is 4 1/2x 2 x 2 inches. This manual post and small ring sight could have be used on several aircraft as a small sight.

The B-25 was used by the AAF to bring the war to Japan with the famous Dolittle raid of Tokyo lead by Col. Dolittle in early 1942. The B-25 is a twin engine bomber a crew of 5 or 6. Probably used in other USAF bombers with the same turrets.

43A 8083    43A 8084    43A 8085    43A 8090    43A 8092

£55

T1 bomb sight and Z-transmitter Equipment show in the centre of the image.

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MK III A Reflector Gunsight Dated 1941 (No 28 pg1 Gun)

Here is a MK III A Gunsight in good original condition, comes complete with its two pin plug. , we have a plug and socket available for this sight in the electrical connectors page.

The Mk III series proved to be one of the most successful reflector sights ever produced.

Nearly every type of turret in RAF Bomber Command used it, and it was adopted by the US Navy as the Mark IX .

 As well as turret use, it was fitted to free-mounted Vickers K guns being smaller than the Mk II and also used as a fixed sight on many multi-engine aircraft including some Mks of the Mosquito.

Seen in situ below as a fixed gunsight in a Mosquito Fighter

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1940 MK III A Reflector Turret Gun sight Turret  A (No 27 pg1 Gun)

 These sights were used exclusively in the Turrets of Bomber aircraft and remained standard equipment for most of the war until the Gyro ace makers started in appear.

 MK III A Reflector Turret Gun sight Turret  B (No 26 pg1 Gun)

MK III A Reflector Turret Gun sight Turret (No 25 pg1 Gun)

 These sights were used exclusively in the Turrets of Bomber aircraft and remained standard equipment for most of the war until the Gyro ace makers started in appear.

Turret Reflector Gunsight Top (No 24 pg1 Gun)

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Type R Gyro Gunsight Range Control (No 23 pg1 Gun)

This Gyro Gunsight control adjusts the range on the Gyro gunsights. Although it is lacking some paint, it still still rotates smoothly.

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Here we have Gyro Gunsight range control for the MkII  Ace maker. This is fitted in the cockpits of Spitfire's and other aircraft fitted with the ace maker giro gunsight. The range control is wired to the gunsight range control. It was attached by a cable to a twist grip I believe was mounted on the throttle grip to allow the pilot to adjusts the range of the gunsight without removing his had from the throttle.

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 7A/1661

Messrs Ross Ltd produced four type 'A' sights, to be given comparative tests with reflector sights in a Gloster Gladiator. The type 'B' was produced for use in turrets, but the small 20 mm (0.78 in) eyepiece proved a drawback, and it was soon replaced by the Mk II reflector sight. All work on prismatic sights was finally abandoned in 1940.

A G1 sight mounted on a Bristol B.1 turret. The gunner placed his chin on the pad to steady his aim.

Camera Gun Harmonizer (No 20 pg 1 Gun)

Good condition camera gun harmonizer a  beautiful optical Instrument in stainless steel. Used by armourers to harmonise the guns with the gun cameras. This was slotted into the camera through a panel on the wing.

 Shown above a Hurricane having its guns harmonized to converge on a single point this varied from between 200 yards to 400 yards depending on the Pilots preference. Once this was achieved the camera gun would then be adjusted to focus on this point using this gadget.

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We have 2 Available

£75

Gyro Gun Sight Recorder 2 (No 19 pg1 Gun)

A very rare item sits on top of the Ace Maker Giro Gun MK II sight and records strikes from the Guns, complete in its original box in good condition.

14A/4008  

14A/3629

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Ace Maker Giro Gunsight Recorder (No 18 pg 1 Gun)

Here we have a 24V version giro gunsight recorder MK II.

This fits to the top of the hood on the Bomber variant of the MK II Ace Maker giro gunsight.

The film loads into this cartridge and it records the pictures from the gun camera.

Air Ministry marked

Ref: 14A/3629

MK III Gyro Gunsight Recorder Magazine Gunsight (No 17 pg 1 Gun)

A/M 14A/4197

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 £25

RAF Mustang Optical Gunsight S-8 (No 16 pg 1 Gun)

This is a gunsight as used in the P51 Mustang it differs from the British MK II in that the sighting image is projected onto the windscreen as apposed to integral glass of the British gunsights. It was manufactured by Star Machine Inc of New York City, however the ID plate has an Air ministry Crown and therefore I believe this was fitted to a P51 Mustang operating with the RAF. It is a little known fact that the P51 was originally built for the RAF and once the Alison Engine was replaced by the Merlin it became a front line long range fighter capable of escorting Bombers deep into Germany. This gunsight is complete and in good original condition.

Shown Below the Razor back P51 Mustang in RAF colours.

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 £495

RAF Mustang Gun sight A (No 15 pg 1 Gun)

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Village Inn. Mk11 Giro Gunsight with Cathode Ray tube Attached mounted in a Lancaster Rear Turret

Also included in the sale is this mint condition AGLT control box, this is unused and comes in its original packaging. It Carries the Refrence Number 10LB/6163

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This is the starter switch gear for the ARI 5559 and the ARI 5560 which is part of the AGLT Mark I system

This is the gunners test Box for the Village Inn. Nicely marked with the air ministry crown. Reference 5B/3331

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Its the radar connector which plugged into the radar dish at the rear of the turret.

Throughout Bomber Command, all aircraft had been fitted with "Z" equipment which would transmit the infra-red 'friendly' signal to any 'Village Inn' Lancasters they might come across.

Listed under is Z equipment designed to prevent friendly fire from Village Inn.

We believe this to be the only and most comprehensive collection of the Village Inn AGLT system surviving world wide. None of the major museums throughout the world including Duxford IWM have these parts in their collections.

An extremely rare Village Inn  collection including a rare cathode ray tube ,control unit, starter switch and other parts shown/ Mounted in the rear turret next to the Mk 11 Giro Gunsight see under. Only a very limited number (less than 100) were ever fitted. 

AGLT stands for Airborne Gun laying in turrets

Village Inn was the codename for the British Airborne Gun in Turrets (AGLT) radar-aimed gun turret fitted to some Lancaster bombers in 1944

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£275

American Lockheed Gunsight (No 11 pg 1 Gun)

Here we have a lockhead gunsight.

The bracket swivels to allow the gunsight to be raised and lowered into position.

It is a secondary gunsight used in lockhead planes in case the electrical gunsight fails.

Spitfire Ace maker Gyro Gunsight MK II Mounting Bracket (No 10 pg 1 Gun)

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Here are the internals from a Sperry K3 gunsight used in the Mid upper turret of the B12 Flying fortress.

 It is in good condition and might be useful for anyone carrying out a restoration or as a great display piece.

The gunner inputs range information by estimating the size of the plane and adjusting its image in the attached optical sight so that the image fits within the reticules.

The gunner then tracks the target with the optical sight by moving the K-3 (mounted on a movable head) keeping the plane image centred in the reticules.

The sight movements cause the computing unit, which, based on the range information and built-in ballistics data, to calculates the deflection, or lead, for aiming the guns and moves the turret accordingly.

£299

Type E Gunsight Control Panel (No 8 pg 1 Gun)

Here we have a Gunsight Control Panel Type E. This is used with the Mk.2 Gyro Gunsight.

Air Ministry marked.

There is a socket for the sighting head and power supply

5CZ/2486

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Bofors L1A1C Sight (No 6 pg 1 Gun)

A very rare gunsight made for use on a Bofors antiaircraft gun. The gun crews had several methods to sight the weapon on a target. Each gun platoon (four guns) had an M5 Director, connected by cables to the guns and all fed by a common generator. In this configuration, the platoon could engage a single target simultaneously. However, in combat the crews preferred to use the Bofors speed-ring sights. The crew of each weapon had an azimuth and elevation tracker seated in bucket seats on each side of the weapon. The elevation tracker had a foot pedal to fire the gun when the sight picture was right. Each 40mm round had a tracer element to aid in correcting the lead when the first rounds missed. Later in the war, the M-5 Director was replaced by the M-7 Computing Sight ("Weissight"), an "on-carriage" aiming device mounted on the gun with tracking telescopes for the azimuth and elevation trackers. The M7 Computing Sight eliminated the need for a separate director section, its director, generator, cables, and centralized control.

See this link

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Three available

This one has a slightly different fitting at the bottom of the sight.

This is an original sight ring for a Bofors antiaircraft gun.

 The ring  is 9 1/2" in diameter.

The Bofors anti aircraft gun was adopted by the British Army in 1937 as its standard light AA weapon in a single-barrelled, air-cooled version. It was a great success and demand exceeded production until 1943.

The quality of the gun was such that the Royal Navy also started fitting it to ships in 1941, before adopting a purpose-designed twin-barrelled water-cooled version, first used in late 1942

This is an original sight ring for a Bofors antiaircraft gun.

 The ring  is 9 1/2" in diameter.

The Bofors anti aircraft gun was adopted by the British Army in 1937 as its standard light AA weapon in a single-barrelled, air-cooled version. It was a great success and demand exceeded production until 1943.

The quality of the gun was such that the Royal Navy also started fitting it to ships in 1941, before adopting a purpose-designed twin-barrelled water-cooled version, first used in late 1942

This is very nice original control box for the MKII Gyro Gunsights displayed on these pages.

Used by both the bomber and Fighter type sights.

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£175