You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 19 March 2016 - 03:32 PM
I have added the Swift 839 currently on eBay to the registry. LINK to CL/eBay thread listing. For now it's just entered as eBay listing March 2016. Serial number 61418. Ends in 8 days.
.
I believe at least two CN people are bidding on it. If you win, please let me know so I can fill-in the details on the registry. Thanks!
ISS
Posted 19 March 2016 - 05:04 PM
I hope a CNer gets the Swift Model 820 on the Goodwill site. Auction ends on 3/21/2016 at 7:13:00 PM PT.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 19 March 2016 - 05:32 PM
There's been an Aerolite unsold on eBay for quite a while, as well. They just don't get the respect that the Tak-made models do.
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 19 March 2016 - 05:40 PM
There's been an Aerolite unsold on eBay for quite a while, as well. They just don't get the respect that the Tak-made models do.
It looks like a very old Swift. The mount is very similar to early Asahi scopes. Too bad it's pickup only. I used to live near there when I was in grad school.
Cosmos
Posted 20 March 2016 - 02:35 AM
There's been an Aerolite unsold on eBay for quite a while, as well. They just don't get the respect that the Tak-made models do.
Chuck,
I bought the "local pick up only" Aerolite 859 in the box that was on ebay for 2 months. Not the one that is also in the CL classifieds. I'm 3 miles from seller so was able to look at it before buying. There's a bit more to the story about that. It's almost mint. More to come...
Edited by Kasmos, 20 March 2016 - 02:38 AM.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 20 March 2016 - 01:26 PM
I hope a CNer gets the Swift Model 820 on the Goodwill site. Auction ends on 3/21/2016 at 7:13:00 PM PT.
Now, that one is an early model for sure. Somebody in the Ft. Wayne area is going to get an interesting specimen.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 28 March 2016 - 06:36 AM
I have added the Swift 839 currently on eBay to the registry. LINK to CL/eBay thread listing. For now it's just entered as eBay listing March 2016. Serial number 61418. Ends in 8 days.
.
I believe at least two CN people are bidding on it. If you win, please let me know so I can fill-in the details on the registry. Thanks!
I think that may be a record price for an 839, but congrats to whomever won it, if it was someone here. Please let me know so I can fill out the details on the registry, and post pics when you get it. Looked nearly complete, and in fairly good shape!
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 20 April 2016 - 08:30 PM
A few recent additions. Whomever got the 839 on eBay last month hasn't contacted me to be added to the list, so the owner column remains blank for that one.
Also, we've talked about listing the non-Takahashi made Swifts such as the Aerolites made by Carton and the Towa-made versions. They carry no serial number, but we can still register them and keep track by virtue of provenance. If you think tracking them in JW's Japanese export telescope registry is good enough, I'm fine with that as well. And of course we don't need to register them if you prefer. Give me some feedback on that issue.
We could use some more Tecnar Satellite scope entries, I know there must be at least a dozen owned by CN members.
Swift Registry as of April 20, 2016:
Click on the image and a slightly better resolution image will come-up.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 21 April 2016 - 06:00 PM
Two more Tecnars and an 838 added since yesterday.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 23 April 2016 - 01:35 PM
Another 831 has surfaced.
Click on the spreadsheet and a slightly better resolution image will open.
rocketman
Posted 04 May 2016 - 05:47 AM
Good thread Chuck, nice pics folks.
The swift is a dream scope of mine ever since I saw Carols.
Lift Off
Posted 04 May 2016 - 12:14 PM
Hi Chuck,
I own 831 serial number 643169. The mount was made by Charles Frank of Glasgow and it sits on a military surplus tripod. It has a few dents and the baffles needed adjustment but it still looks and works great. I bought it on ebay uk in 2013 and it's now in Wiltshire, England. Incidentally, I noticed in one of Patrick Moore's books (The 21st Century Astronomer) a photograph of his 3" brass refractor and a Swift eyepiece.
best wishes, Guy
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 04 May 2016 - 02:00 PM
May as well post a gratuitous photo or two. Besides, it's nice to have the data and pictures in one place. One of the earliest 831's - 1960 #60131. It has the oddball, two-sided, square focuser label with the infinity sign.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 04 May 2016 - 09:27 PM
Good thread Chuck, nice pics folks.
The swift is a dream scope of mine ever since I saw Carols.
Thanks Andy. I always took the hype with a grain of salt- until I actually looked through a Swift. The difference between the 831 and an 80mm Towa was noticeable. I was sold immediately.
Hi Chuck,
I own 831 serial number 643169. The mount was made by Charles Frank of Glasgow and it sits on a military surplus tripod. It has a few dents and the baffles needed adjustment but it still looks and works great. I bought it on ebay uk in 2013 and it's now in Wiltshire, England. Incidentally, I noticed in one of Patrick Moore's books (The 21st Century Astronomer) a photograph of his 3" brass refractor and a Swift eyepiece.
best wishes, Guy
Thanks Guy, I'll get your Swift added to the registry. Seems Swift had a sizable following in the UK.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 08 May 2016 - 12:05 AM
I've added Guy's 831 to the Registry. Clicking on the image will open a slightly higher resolution version.
Let me know if any changes are needed, thanks.
rocketman
Posted 04 December 2016 - 07:13 AM
This thread slipped into history, lol
Why???
I love seeing everyone's Swift photos, why isn't this in one of the above sticky threads?
ISS
Posted 04 December 2016 - 11:03 AM
So much beautiful innovation in one small scope! Glad I don't have one. I'd get whiplash turning my head every 30 seconds to gawk at it.
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 04 December 2016 - 12:53 PM
Going to be an update soon.
rocketman
Posted 05 December 2016 - 06:25 AM
Bob; I know they're like a art piece of form and function.
Growing up in the 60s and 70s , I used to watch a lot of sci - fi.......and the swifts would have fit right in.
ISS
Posted 05 December 2016 - 08:32 AM
It is definitely my prettiest scope. And the most prized scope in my collection. It has a modest tasteful beauty, like a beautiful piece of Japanese pottery. The color reminds me od Kamakura stoneware. It just has a real Zen!
ISS
Posted 05 December 2016 - 08:33 AM
Going to be an update soon.
I thought you were done Chuck?
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 05 December 2016 - 08:39 AM
Going to be an update soon.
I thought you were done Chuck?
Done with maintaining the list? Absolutely not! I'm privy to an ownership change that will be happening soon, that's all. It's not me getting another one, lol.
Fly Me to the Moon
Posted 05 December 2016 - 08:40 AM
You don't know Swift from Astrola
Posted 05 December 2016 - 08:42 AM
Nice try, but it's one of my Swifts moving-on to a new owner. 
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