WW2 US Military Navigation - Bendix Sextant - AN-5851-1 in Bakelite Case

Description: WW2 US Military Navigation - Bendix Sextant - AN-5851-1 in Bakelite Case This vintage Bendix Aviation sextant, model AN-5851-1, is an essential piece of history for any maritime collector or enthusiast. Made of durable metal, it was used by the US military during World War II for navigation purposes. The sextant comes in its original Bakelite case, adding to its authenticity and charm.This piece is not only a functional navigational tool but a symbol of the bravery and ingenuity of those who served in the war. The sextant's intricate design and attention to detail showcase the quality of craftsmanship of the time period. Whether you're a collector or simply interested in history, this Bendix Aviation sextant is a must-have for any collection. These were used by B-17 navigators who put them up in the navigation dome on the top of the fuselage of the aircraft. From this instrument they did celestial navigation to pinpoint directions to the target and back to base. Is such useful today? Absolutely so! One case I read about was a British expedition to the Arabian Empty Quarter some time in the 1990's. They use electronic GPS units... Well they did not hold up in the extreme heat of the day and frigid nights and they had no directions out of the endless dunes. They would have been desert mummies had not a caravan of Tuaregs who could navigate by the sun and stars not found them. Saved and willing to go back, they then learned how to use this type of sextant, and carried several of these just in case their electronic GPS failed again. The learning curve to use these takes some time but it doing so is worth it. I have used it to locate stars, and also measure the height of mountains. And it can be very useful in observing the sun during solar eclipses as it has a very wide field of view. I plan to take another one for the next total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024 to observe the corona and prominences. Now for those that do not know, this sextant is radioactive. And it was necessary to illuminate the bubble at times when the batteries in the battery holder which is part of this sextant in the Bakelite case, along with the hanger for the navigation observation dome. This is one of the best, cleanest, complete original Bakelite boxed Bendix AN-5851 one can have for their WW2 collection.

Price: 199.95 USD

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

End Time: 2024-02-12T02:06:11.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD