NavList:

First off I am retired Air Force, spent my entire career in Aircrew Life Support. I have always been a military history nut, I have uniforms, hats, aircrew and ground crew helmets, flight equipment, military surplus weapons. Plus the various military mementos GI's tend to collect, IE shell casings, leaflets, unit coins, artwork etc.

With the introduction out of the way....

I have a Bausch & Lomb A-8A sextant that I have had for many years. Like many examples in the wild, there are parts in the box that as missing, IE the screw driver, adjusting wrench, and the ever elusive spare bubble chamber assembly. I would like to make the display as complete as I can. I have discovered looking on the internet that while Fairchild sextants can be found here and there, the B&L is turing out to be as elusive as the Unicorn.

I know by looking at pictures online that B&L made many different sextants, they all have some similarities and differences. So how different is the bubble chamber assembly between the different B&L sextants? I have found mention to the following B&L sextants models AN 5854-1, the following 4 are listed in my copy of AN 05-35-7 Operation, Service and Overhaul Instructions for Aircraft Sextants A-6, A-6A, A-8, A-8A, and I found mention of an Improved Type D (Can't find any information on this one).

What does the Screw Driver PN 27728-34 look like? What does the Adustment Wrench PN 24361-120 look like?

If I could find a basket case (I just can't bring myself to cannibalize one that is restorable) B&L sextant with a compatable bubble chamber I would cannibalize it for parts!

One more question and I'll close for now, does anyone here do bubble chamber overhauls? I looked at the instructions on how to do it, it's a little too delicate an operation for this caveman, LOL!

I would be very grateful for any leads or help in this endeavor.

Mike
TSgt, USAF Retired
Jan 86 - Sept 08
Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
(122X0, 1T1X1, 1P0X1)
NRA Life Member