A quick question about U-Boat 8 x 60

[Sgt Bilko]

Nice to see some classic British sub binos. I have one with and one without the reticle but haven't seen a Royal Navy version of the UZO.

[behblc]

Sgt. Bilko sir ( insert salute, as per Dobermann ).
I have pondered the same subject , if Bill Reid did not have an example in his B&S book I wonder, did one exist , yet logic would dictate there must have been something of this nature, the USN and Kriegsmarine developed one ......so how could the RN have not had the same need ?

[Mikedenmark]

I have never seen this UK bino before. (or just forgotten about it) But then again, my main source of info is the book by Mr. Reid.
The book refers to the archives of B&S in a way that makes it very likely they are complete. So, info on a sub bino should be there, if at all.

Regarding UK versions of the UDF. They may never have seen the need. It has to do with aircraft speeds, and to a lesser degree, surface vessel speeds. The Royal Navy may have passed the period, where a UDf would have made sense without even stopping to bother.
Going from smaller coastal water sub´s in limited roles, only exposed to Swordfish-like aircrafts, and directly to fully submersed operative modern boats. Boats not expected to be exposed to fast air attacks while aiming surface torpedo launchings.
If that is the case, the UDF would never be needed.

Just an afterthought: What did the german subs use prior to the UDF ? The need to dive with the bino must have had some reason. Like drowned earlier types.
They must have been developed hand in hand with the pressure resistant cannon sights.

I wish I was a millionaire and lived next to a large german archive. Who would need more in life?

[behblc]

Bill R covers B&S submarine glasses on pages 104-105.
Did they develop one , a good question , I would have expected it to have " surfaced" ( sorry) in Bill Reid's book on B&S but no.

In as far as the intervention of aircraft went I think no one was as caught out as the Kriegsmarine yet they had developed the UDF.
(Both parties had neglected the lessons of 1914-18 and science / technology moved so very quickly to render the U Boat / submarine as was in the 1940's totally obselete).

I think an email to HMS Dolphin is required.

Sgt Bilko next time I am in Edinburgh I will have to call, tie you up and rescue some binoculars from you.

[Sgt Bilko]

Regarding UK versions of the UDF. They may never have seen the need.


But, as you said about the blc 8x60 with reticle The vertical line certainly indicates something else than mere observation.


I will have to call, tie you up - best offer I've had all day!

[behblc]

Sgt B. that is as good as it is going to get .

[Mikedenmark]

Been there, two very friendly nice ladies, and a lot of rope.
But just as I thought I was about to have the night of my life, they started to stuff my gold coin collection into a sports bag.
The cleaning lady, who helped me out the next morning, was very understanding.
Lesson learned: No nice ladies and collect something too heavy to remove in a sports bag. (even though the aforementioned ladies had trouble moving the bag)
And well, maybe it wasn´t the smartest move to ask someone, if they wanted to come home and see my gold coin collection.

[Le Breton]

I'm afraid one could write an entire chapter about the development of U-boot surface torpedo firing system binoculars. There were numerous factors influencing their design and development, the several fire control systems they had to serve and the problem of reticle illumination being the most important ones. 7 x 50 H and 8 x 60 H models with illumination ports were amongst the predecessors of the 7 x 50 UDF, but turned out to be unsuited for the purpose. And yes, 8 x 60 Kommandantengläser issued with a vertical reticle line were indeed back ups for the two UDF's each Uboot carried with it - they were torpedo binoculars.

[Sgt Bilko]

Nice one Le Breton! The fact that my reticled one is confirmed as a UDF backup and the clearly defined paint wear (indicative of it being clamped) mean I can relax about not having a UDF 7x50.

For a tightwad like myself, this has taken a load off!