VINTAGE 1960s era  US MILITARY  THEODOLITE SURVEYING EQUIPMENT with gyroscope

Description

VINTAGE 1960s era US MILITARY THEODOLITE SURVEYING EQUIPMENT with gyroscope.
It inclides a military version of a
Wild Heerbugg T2
(model T2-56-C-MIL) combined with an "Azimuth-Gyro, Artillery Model C2B ABLE". The abbreviation ABLE stands for Autonetics Base Line Equipment, but in general the combination was either referred to as "ABLE Orienter"
1
or "Gyro-Azimuth Surveying Instrument"
2
.
According to the U.S. army field manual FM 6-2 the "
... artillery gyro azimuth surveying instrument (
fig. 136
) (azimuth gyro) is a portable gyrocompass used to determine a true direction. With this instrument, a direction can be determined under conditions of poor visibility without lengthy computations and with an accuracy that is comparable to that of astronomic observations. Direction is determined by observing the effect of the rotation of the earth on the gyroscope and applying appropriate corrections to the instrument. This instrument is for use in latitudes between 60° north and 60° south of the equator.
"
The instrument was "
...authorized for field artillery howitzer, gun, and missile battalions; for the survey element in the headquarters battery of division artillery; and for the batteries of the target acquisition battalion.
"
3
Originally the set would comprise of a Sensing Element (the gyro), a 0.002-mil T2 (the Wild T2 theodolite) and a
Control Indicator
, which was "
...an electronic package which provides power to the gyro rotor, the heating elements, and the signals for measuring the amount and direction of the gyro misalinement [sic]. The control indicator panel [...] provides the controls and indicators necessary for the operation and the directional alinement
[sic]
of the instrument.
3
The Control indicator (electronics package is not included. The storage container has surface rust, but the theodolite and gyro appear to be on good shape, but I have no way of testing the gyro. Condition is "Used". Sold and Shipped to lower 48 US states only. Bidders must have ebay address registered in US