73 replies to this topic

[starman876]

next I want to mate the Nippon with a classic mount.  What you all think if I put the scope on a Unitron 152 mount.  The Unitron mount does have some brass hardware on it that I can strip the paint off.   

[Terra Nova]

I think it is a most capable mount! It would look great on it as well. Will it fit the cradle? Or will you put it on one of the later ones with the detachable cradle?

[starman876]

I think it is a most capable mount! It would look great on it as well. Will it fit the cradle? Or will you put it on one of the later ones with the detachable cradle?

I would have to get some rings for it.  The Unitron cradles are to small.

[bremms]

I might as well let the cat out of the bag

 

here is a picture of what I am working with

Glad somebody here picked it up. The focuser looked like a Zeiss copy too.

[bremms]

Yes, and that is why I commented on it. Back in the early 80's, at NASA's Ames Research Center.

And yes, I *did* bid on it too.

By the way, I asked you in an earlier thread about how NK objectives compared with Zeiss, still waiting on the answer.

I bid on it as well. I sort of knew it was an NK.

[starman876]

How did you know it was an NK?   WFJ had inside information which I wish he would share more. 

 

I remember having the Zeiss AS100 objective and this 100mm NK objective is better.  The smaller NK objectives are right on par with the Zeiss objectives.

Edited by starman876, 23 March 2016 - 08:09 AM.

[bremms]

I didn't know for certain. A good guess based on what a guy told me years ago about a similar scope. His was NK(Nikon as he called it), I didn't remember exactly what it looked like, but it was similar and sat in his office. It was the only reason I bid. It was worth the maximum bid in that case. Nice that it is in good hands

[catboat]

Not too mention the trashcan objective cover that looked more Japanese than DOD. 

[starman876]

Not too mention the trashcan objective cover that looked more Japanese than DOD. 

I am sure the whole scope was made by Nippon.  Japan was using brass for just about everything they made during that time.   The black paint is a pain to get off.  I doubt if it was just a plain black paint. I am sure it is a special black paint to be non reflective.  It looks like there are two kinds of black paint on the scope.  One I bet was on there when it left Nippon. The second coat is something that NASA applied. 

[Kasmos]

Are you using a paint stripper like Jasco?

I've heard that it will even remove powder coat. On the other hand, I've had trouble removing old factory baked enamel on an old Harley-Davidson fender.

[starman876]

I got it off the dewshield and cover. but it was hard.   I will try the tube with something stronger.   The real task is using the buffer to shine up the brass.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by starman876, 23 March 2016 - 04:00 PM.

[catboat]

Are you using a paint stripper like Jasco?

I've heard that it will even remove powder coat. On the other hand, I've had trouble removing old factory baked enamel on an old Harley-Davidson fender.

 

Be careful with chemical paint strippers on brass.  Some will severely discolor it.  The photo above looks great.

[Terra Nova]

Is the main tube brass as well? That probably accounts for some of the weight!

[starman876]

Everything is brass including the focuser.

[starman876]

With the lid on the dewshield it sort of looks like a cookie jar

[Terra Nova]

what does the whole thing weigh?

[starman876]

it is heavy, but does a great job pf protecting the lens.  There is the lens cell and that goes into a brass cell that attaches to the tube.    These were made to take a lot of abuse.  I am almost wondering if these scopes were flown?

Edited by starman876, 23 March 2016 - 10:13 PM.

[starman876]

http://www.nasa.gov/...e-structure.jpg

 

this sure looks familiar

 

However, further research into this device revealed that the focal length is to short to be the same telescope.  Will have to keep hunting.  I have a friend that works for NASA showing the picture around to see if anyone remembers the telescope.  

Edited by starman876, 25 March 2016 - 02:18 PM.

[Terra Nova]

 seem to have  a very hard time finding much information on what types of telescopes Nippon Kogaku made.  I find one manual for the 6.5 Cm telescope they use to sell.  I cannot find any manuals for the 5CM telescope.

For anything larger then 6.5 CM I cannot find anything at all.  Are the GOTO telescopes from Nippon?  I found some articles that the emperor of Japan had a 4" Nippon but I cannot find anything indicating  if that size was ever made available to the general public.  I do See that Nikon made some 4" refractors.

 

I have been admiring my Goto refractors the past couple of days and reading and researching them again and came across this thread which I had some how missed. Check it out and in particular posts #21 & 22 with regard to the relationship between Zeiss, Nippon Kogaku and Goto Kogaku for the inferences and an anecdotal statement that Nippon Kogaku made the glass.

 

http://www.cloudynig...-mount-and-acc/

 

This old A-mart add also makes a similar claim:

 

http://www.astromart...ified_id=524546

 

Edited by terraclarke, 24 June 2016 - 10:01 AM.

[Geo31]

Don't know how I missed this thread, but this is a really cool scope!

 

Any progress updates Johann?

[starman876]

Don't know how I missed this thread, but this is a really cool scope!

 

Any progress updates Johann?

I need to strip the paint off the OTA and buff the brass.  Just have not had any time.   I think I will try using a power washer on the paint and see if that will remove it easier.   

[starman876]

it is funny. this summer went by so fast.  now fall is about gone and I have not had a chance to do anything else with this scope.  

[starman876]

by the way. I contacted several people at NASA in MD and no one remembers anything about the scope.   I am beginning to think that the NASA near me in MD might have never seen the scope.   Could have been used at another NASA location.  

[starman876]

I wonder if Takahashi made the focuser on this OTA.  They did make parts for telescopes before they started making their own telescopes. 

 

http://www.cloudynig...shi-27-focuser/

 

 

not comparing it to the black Unitron focuser , but to the one in the ad on CN.

Edited by starman876, 15 January 2017 - 10:01 AM.