Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. In the USN, infrared signaling was known in visual communications circles as "Nancy Hanks". (Nancy Hanks was the maiden name of President Abraham Lincoln's mother). An infrared viewer was necessary to view infrared transmissions. In the USN, a Nancy viewer scope was also used to check for "light leaks" during periods of darken ship. Very often it picked up the glow of light from a "leaking" scuttle or someone having a smoke on the weather decks. Infrared viewing scopes were quite amazing in that you could even turn them on a dim star on a clear night and see that star quite clearly! In the RCN, these lights were referred to as "Nancy".
The C-3 telescopes were the most produced and widely used infrared telescopes of any nation during WWII. They were manufactured in two versions, the C-3 (battery operated) and the C3-a (115v AC). Slight improvements for the third C-3 contract designated them the Model M1-2558-A. These scopes could detect direct infrared light at distances greater than 10 miles if the atmospheric conditions allowed for it.
For signaling the C-3's were mounted to a 12" searchlight equipped for signaling. A hood (Type H) with an infrared pass filter was attached to the front of the light. The design of the C-3 included a plate on the bottom of the device that slid in and out of a tension bracket that was bolted to a 12" searchlight. It could also be mounted to various other searchlight mounts for telescopes. The viewers were stowed during daylight hours. Making it difficult to find a photograph of a Naval ship with a C-3 viewer.
This example is in wonderful condition though we cannot guarantee that it is functioning. The black crackle paint is retained nicely though there are areas of loss.
A lovely hard to find Infrared light that comes more than ready for further research and display.
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