· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article    Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Forum Archives · Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Classic Telescopes Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) fredbas member Reged: 09/04/08 Posts: 13 1952 Cave mount       #3136360 - 05/30/09 07:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   According to Richard Norton's Aug 1994 article in SKY and TELESCOPE the early Cave Astrola's used mounts mfg. by Telescopics of Los Angeles. Most early Cave's mounts look similar to my 1952, were all of these by Telescopics? Post Extras:       trainsktg Post Laureate Reged: 08/23/05 Posts: 4586 Loc: Pacific Northwest Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: fredbas]       #3136500 - 05/30/09 09:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hmmm. I don't know, but I expect Lew might know if he sees this post. Keith -------------------- He was a good little monkey and always very curious. Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: trainsktg]       #3136631 - 05/30/09 10:45 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The earliest Cave mounts were nothing more than pipe mounts. My Sky & Telescopes start with the Nov 1955 issue, and the Astrolas being advertised in that month and year were hybrids: Telescopics equatorial heads - just as O. Richard Norton described - and pipe legs. By the December 1955 issue of S&T, Cave was using modern-style cast legs, but the ones with round hole cutouts to save weight. They look a lot like Treckerscope legs to me. By the way, I just read last nite on AM forums that O. Richard Norton passed away very recently. I first met him around 1960 or 1961 at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. He worked for Cave Optical while in high school in the 1950s and had several funny and/or interesting anecdotes about his days working for Tom Cave. I think he mentioned a few in his 1994 article. Fred, would love to see a picture of your 1952 Cave scope. -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Edited by Lew Chilton (05/30/09 10:54 PM) Post Extras:       clintwhitman Caveman Reged: 01/01/07 Posts: 2427 Loc: ValVerde CA(SoEasyaCavemanCanD... Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: fredbas]       #3137135 - 05/31/09 08:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow i never heard that one? Telescopcave?? -------------------- Clint&Debbie Whitman (aveman 1960s 6"F15 Jaegers-Unipons by John Pons on a Byers 812, 1947 4" F15 TINSLEY, 1965 10" F8 CAVE, 1950 5CM & 6.5CM Nippon Kogakus (the twins), 1960s UNITRONS a 152 restored a 160 numbered green lens original mint a 114 original 50s mint, 1950s UNITRON M100 100mm F15 OTA, WO 80mm Florite, ASTROPHYSICS 155 EDFS on LOSMANDY G11, a bunch of Tascos,Sears Mayflowers The list goes on Add infinitum. Post Extras:       fredbas member Reged: 09/04/08 Posts: 13 Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3137745 - 05/31/09 02:27 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My mount has 3 cast aluminum legs with triangular cross braces-these index into the aluminum "pipe" post with nice brass thumb-screws. Drive is AC and works nicely with an inverter. I am a rookie on this web-site--how do I post pictures on the 1952 Cave Astrola? Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: clintwhitman]       #3137883 - 05/31/09 04:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Fred e-mailed me privately with pictures of the Boise, Idaho Astronomical Society's 1952 Cave Astrola. If he gives me permission, I will post them here with my own inimitable comments. -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3137983 - 05/31/09 04:57 PM Attachment (18 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Fred just emailed me with permission to post his pix. So here's the first of the series, the Boise, Idaho Astronomical Society's (BAS) 8-inch Cave Astrola that was previously owned by Burt Sproul, an early member of Tom Cave's astronomy club, the Excelsior Telescope Club. Burt was probably the original owner. -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3137989 - 05/31/09 04:59 PM Attachment (14 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's a close-up of the clock drive without its cover. -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3137991 - 05/31/09 05:00 PM Attachment (17 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And here's one of the Astrola mount... NOTE: The mirror may be from 1952 but the mount is not - looking at old Sky & Tel ads, Cave began advertising his telescopes with the web-leg design in July 1956. So the mount is probably from around mid-1956 or later. Anyone care to comment? (My wife and I are going out to brunch , so I'll post the rest of Fred's pix after we return.) Edited by Lew Chilton (05/31/09 05:08 PM) Post Extras:       CHASLX200 Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/29/07 Posts: 1808 Loc: Tampa area Florida Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138019 - 05/31/09 05:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've seen old ads of the speckled Cave mounts. Chas Post Extras:       L. Regira sage Reged: 07/10/05 Posts: 228 Loc: Theriot, LA 29' 25"N; 90.46W Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: CHASLX200]       #3138143 - 05/31/09 06:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The speckled mount is definitely a 1950's thing. -------------------- CaveAstrola 12.5"F5(1979)Refigured by Swayze(2002) Criterion RV-6 Dynascope(1975) (down for repairs thanks to Hurricane Gustav) Denk Big Easy(7/20/07)Siebert OCA,and Mag Wheel Sears #6332 Classic Teal blue 60mm F 11.7 8x12 Roll-Off Roof Observatory Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: L. Regira]       #3138618 - 05/31/09 09:57 PM Attachment (17 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here are some more of Fred's pictures of the "1952" Cave Astrola... -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138620 - 05/31/09 09:58 PM Attachment (16 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And another... -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138622 - 05/31/09 10:01 PM Attachment (13 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's the focuser and finder rings... -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138625 - 05/31/09 10:02 PM Attachment (13 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The mirror cell from the back...be patient, we're getting to the good stuff! -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138630 - 05/31/09 10:04 PM Attachment (15 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is the inscription on the back of the mirror. Notice the fancy "Cave Optical Co." inscription. This is the work of Tom Cave, Sr. (the elder Cave). -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       Lew Chilton Pooh-Bah Reged: 10/20/05 Posts: 1021 Loc: SoCal Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3138632 - 05/31/09 10:06 PM Attachment (14 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And here is the owner's name inscribed on back of mirror. -------------------- I don't get no respect, but my scopes do! ---------------------------------------------- 1961 Swift 60mm model 839 (2); 2003 TV-102/GM-8; 1959 8" f/6 Treckerscope; 1959 8" f/7.4 Murray Scope; 1959 Fecker Celestar-4; 1978 4" Edmund Astroscan; c. 1986 4-inch Celestron-Vixen SP-C102; c. 1950 20X60 Saturn spotting scope; 1963 7X50 Nippon Kogaku binoculars; Unitron #114 alt-az mount (Swifty-tron) Post Extras:       fredbas member Reged: 09/04/08 Posts: 13 Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: Lew Chilton]       #3139518 - 06/01/09 11:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Lew, Thank you for posting the pix. Are there any Cave Co. production records? It would be interesting to know how a 1952 dated mirror is mounted in a mid-1952 Astrola. Both the optical tube and mount pier have the same brass "Astrola" nameplate. No serial numbers can be found on the primary mirror or any other part. Post Extras:       fredbas member Reged: 09/04/08 Posts: 13 Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: fredbas]       #3139524 - 06/01/09 11:16 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   re last post, I meant to say mid-nineteen-fifties mount not mid-1952. Post Extras:       L. Regira sage Reged: 07/10/05 Posts: 228 Loc: Theriot, LA 29' 25"N; 90.46W Re: 1952 Cave mount [Re: fredbas]       #3139624 - 06/01/09 12:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Reading the inscription on the back it seems that the mirror was refigured. Perhaps Mr. Sproul originally did it himself and later sent it in to Cave Optical to make it better and he also updated his prexisting mount with a Cave supplied one. Lawrence -------------------- CaveAstrola 12.5"F5(1979)Refigured by Swayze(2002) Criterion RV-6 Dynascope(1975) (down for repairs thanks to Hurricane Gustav) Denk Big Easy(7/20/07)Siebert OCA,and Mag Wheel Sears #6332 Classic Teal blue 60mm F 11.7 8x12 Roll-Off Roof Observatory Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 4 registered and 6 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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