Information wanted

[gordonbaldry]

Hello every one iam after some help can any body shed any light on a telescope that i have recently bought all i know from the previous owner is that it was made around 1960 its a 9 inch reflector made by a C FRANK and that is about all i know any info would be grate here is a picture of it any help would be great !

(click to enlarge)

[John]

I used to use one of those at my school astronomy club around 1971 . Charles Frank were a respected Glasgow based manufacturer of optical equipment.

The chap who has set up this web site:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tomboles/tomboles.html

used to work for the company. He might be able to help with specific questions.

John

[Naz]

Looks like a real scope to me, a work of art with name on the legs. The mount looks strong and really should be stable. unfortunately, don't think you can upgrade it to a go-to

What size is the focus tube, hopefully 1.25 inch and not the .965" that was common for scopes of that era. If not maybe you could upgrade that, maybe even to 2" should think the mirror is parabolic, so modern ep's should give you some superb views.

That is a real collectors piece of kit. I think that Charles Frank was based at Halesworth, hopefully they are still there, they no do astro gear, but a call or trip could give you more information.

Look forward to your reports and first light.

Naz

[barkis]

Border Astronomical Society had access to exactly that same model years ago. It belonged to Trinity School where the Society's observatory stands. If everything is original, then you do have a very fine instrument indeed. I bought my first Mirror grinding kit from Charles Frank's shop in Ingrams Street in Glasgow about 35 years ago.

Ron.