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Mystery Mark 8 USN gunsights

Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:38 pm

Good day all,

I've been collecting gunsights for quite a few years and had to come to the conclusion that detailed info on gunsights (especially US and GB) is even more difficult to find than the gunsights.

Here are 2 examples of gunsights for which i have absolutely no info as to type of aircraft fitted or even if WWII or later dated.

First one is a Mark 8 Mod. 1 sighting head mounted on a standard Mark 8 Mod. 6 sight. As you can see, contrary to the classic Mk. 8 Mod. 8 gunsight mounted in most WWII Navy and USAAF fighters, this one has an adjustable sighting glass.

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Second one is also based on a Mark 8 Mod. 6 sight but with no markings on the sighting head. I've been told this may be a Mark 10 Mod. 0 gunsight but without any further details. To make it even more puzzling, i also have a sighting head identical to the one mounted on the second sight and this one is marked Mark 7 Mod. 0.

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The Mark 7 sighting head :

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Can anyone help ?

Also, if anyone want photos of any sight i have, i would gladly share them.

Have a nice day,

Laurent
(Belgium)

Re: Mystery Mark 8 USN gunsights

Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:52 pm

Laurent,
The Mk 7, Mod. 0 sight head was used in the P2V Neptune. Maybe someone can post a page from the Neptune manual?
Nick

Re: Mystery Mark 8 USN gunsights

Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:37 pm

Thanks Nick,

I'll research that one. Only manual i found about the Neptune spoke about Mark 18 gyro gunsights for both front and rear turrets. But there must have been quite a few versions of the Neptune, so ...

Anybody else ?

Regards,

Laurent

Re: Mystery Mark 8 USN gunsights

Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:33 pm

Laurent,
This sight was used by pilot, and I believe it was only installed above the left seat.
Nick
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