JAPANESE NAVY IJN NAVAL AIRPLANE TYPE 2 VECTOR COMPASS BOMBSIGHT 1932 PRE-WWII For Sale


JAPANESE NAVY IJN NAVAL AIRPLANE TYPE 2 VECTOR COMPASS BOMBSIGHT 1932 PRE-WWII
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JAPANESE NAVY IJN NAVAL AIRPLANE TYPE 2 VECTOR COMPASS BOMBSIGHT 1932 PRE-WWII:
$14999.00

IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY TYPE 2 KAI-3 BOMBSIGHT(PLEASE SEE ALL PHOTOS BELOW THE DESCRIPTION)This may be the only existing example of the Imperial Japanese Naval Type 2, Kai-3 Course Setting Vector Bombsight to have survived. This museum quality piece is a part of Japanese Military Naval Aviation History. This is far more rare than most Norden, or other Japanese or British Bombsights.An accurate translation of the tag on the wood case reads:Type 2 Kai-3 Bombsight of the Compass Version (Kai means \"Improved\")Manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Mfg Co. Ltd.Product No. 13631Manufactued in November 1932
The Serial Number on the case matches the numbers on the Bombsight and paperwork.
This Bombsight is so rare that there is very little information about it. A generous expert in Japan gave me what info he could about it. The Type 2 Kai-3 Bombsight, based on the WWI British MKI & II design, only had arelativelyshort service life. They were introduced into service in 1927, at a time that the Japanese Navy was still using bi-planes and float planes, and used until about 1935, when the Type 92 was introduced as the Japanese Navy was quickly modernizing towardsWWII. The Bomb sight would be mounted on the outside of the aircraft, where the pilot would lean out and look down on the target using the compass and instruments to guide bombs to their target. The planes would have to fly level, slow and low in order to maximize the accuracy.
What makes the Bombsight so rare is that few were made, it was designed during an early period of IJN aviation, and none survived after the war. You\'ll most likely never have an opportunity to buy a Type 2 Kai-3 again. This is the kind of militaria you canliterallyonly read about in books.
As you can see in the photos, the wood case is in fine condition, and has the original manufacture tags and manufacture number, with only the leather handle missing. Inside the case is the complete Bombsight kit, with magnetic rods. The Bombsight itself is in incredible condition, and operates as if it was just manufactured. The only condition issue is the glass over the compass, which is cracked. Since the compass still operates properly, I was advised by the Smithsonian to keep the glass as is, in order to maintain the originality.
The Bombsight is approximately 21.5\" x 9\" x 7\"(54.6 cm x 23 cm x 17.8 cm)and the case is 23\" x 11\" x 8\"(58.4 cm x 28 cm x 20.3 cm)
I will include a full translation of the paperwork found on the case.
There are no comparables for this Bombsight, so I will consider any reasonable offer.
Free shipping within the continental US. Please email if you are in HI or AK and international buyers for shipping cost.



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