Charles Frank 8.5" Newt on Interesting Original Mount

[SnakeyJ]

No connection to the seller, but this looks really interesting, with a very heavy and unusual looking EQ mount.    I would guess it's early 70's, but would love to know some info on this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184162508130

 

Sadly I don't have the time or space for another project, but hope this finds a good home.

[John]

Oh boy, does that bring back memories !

My school had one of those in a dome which we used when I joined the after school astronomy club. It seemed a giant of a scope when I was 12 years old

That was 1972 so your dating would be about right Jake

The mounting used was really massive - Sir Patrick Moore used one on his 5 inch Cooke refractor:

 

[SnakeyJ]

Just now, John said:

Oh boy, does that bring back memories !

My school had one of those in a dome which we used when I joined the after school astronomy club. It seemed a giant of a scope when I was 12 years old

That was 1972 so your dating would be about right Jake

 

It does smack of quality, the mirror looks to be 2.5" thick!     I've never seen a mount quite like that, but I do like the double D lines..... slightly reminiscent of the robot in 'Forbidden Planet'

[SnakeyJ]

6 minutes ago, John said:

The mounting used was really massive - Sir Patrick Moore used one on his 5 inch Cooke refractor:

 

Now that is a thing of beauty and very good provenance.

[Oldfort]

Sadly I got rid of my Charles Frank catalogue when I downsized to an apartment.  I do have the Charles Frank Ultra Wide angle eyepiece, on an RAS thread, but i don't know its specifications.

[mikeDnight]

4 hours ago, John said:

Oh boy, does that bring back memories !

My school had one of those in a dome which we used when I joined the after school astronomy club. It seemed a giant of a scope when I was 12 years old

That was 1972 so your dating would be about right Jake

The mounting used was really massive - Sir Patrick Moore used one on his 5 inch Cooke refractor:

 

When I was a teenager I spent an unhealthy amount of time lusting at photographs of the 5" Cooke triplet. Then in 2007 I finally got my hands on it, although it was looking worse for wear. Not long afterwards, I believe it was someone at BC&F who renovated it and brought it back to its original glory. It still stops me in my tracks each time I see photo's of it. 

I'd certainly give that 8"Newtonian on the Frank mount a comfortable home if the price was right, but bidding is too much trouble.

[Alien 13]

I remember it well, If you want to see a mint condition one have a peak at the Avengers episode featuring Emma Peel related to Venus...

Alan

[Captain Scarlet]

47 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

I'd certainly give that 8"Newtonian on the Frank mount a comfortable home if the price was right, but bidding is too much trouble.

Bidding on that auction site need not be stressful at all. You simply and coldly decide well before the auction ends the maximum you’d be prepared to pay, and submit that whole amount, regardless of what level it’s got to, with around 5-10 seconds to go. You either win it or you don’t: it’s simply a test of people’s maximum levels, and the beauty is if you do win, you only pay the next-best person’s amount plus a bit. No self-respecting ebayer ever actually “bids”.

cheers (go for it  )Magnus

[paulastro]

Here's the catalogue entry for it.  The catalogue is from 1971.

 

 

[SnakeyJ]

6 minutes ago, paulastro said:

Here's the catalogue entry for it.  The catalogue is from 1971.

HI Paul,  Many thanks for finding and posting this - wonderful to see the original specification and pricing.     Over £ 4,000 pounds in today's money...

[paulastro]

For those who don't know, 1 1/2 cwts id 168 pounds!

[paulastro]

Many thanks for the price comparison Jakey.  I had my first job back in 1971, and earned £32 per month.   £285 was an absolute fortune for me back then - as it was for many aspiring astronomers.