Patrick Moore's 15" reflector

Patrick's 15" reflector is undergoing a bit of a restoration courtesy
of some local Selsey astronomers (it's obviously in the water!). As
well as an impressive optical heritage, the scope is a fascinating
piece of engineering.

Some background information on current activities can be seen he

http://www.markparrish.fast24.co.uk/index.html

--
Pete Lawrence
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk

Pete Lawrence wrote:
Patrick's 15" reflector is undergoing a bit of a restoration courtesy
of some local Selsey astronomers (it's obviously in the water!). As
well as an impressive optical heritage, the scope is a fascinating
piece of engineering.

Some background information on current activities can be seen he

http://www.markparrish.fast24.co.uk/index.html


I have to say, that's one of the finest "cobbled together" pieces of
engineering I've ever seen. How on Earth does the Mirror cell work. The
collimation adjustments (I assume that's what they are?) look like
they're steam powered!
Did Fullerscopes also build bridges?

Tim

Steady Tim

The mounting is of the flywheel-and-two-rollers design also used on the
18" at Charterhouse.

The rear of the cell looks like it's covered in counterweights.
Presumably the fork was too short for the tube length?

I'd rather have PM's Cooke refractor.

Chris.B

On 18 Feb 2005 01:17:06 -0800, wrote:

Steady Tim

The mounting is of the flywheel-and-two-rollers design also used on the
18" at Charterhouse.

The rear of the cell looks like it's covered in counterweights.
Presumably the fork was too short for the tube length?

I'd rather have PM's Cooke refractor.

Yes that's a beauty. I have had some amazing views of Jupiter through
the Cooke.

--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Global Projects - http://www.globalobservers.net

wrote:

Steady Tim

The mounting is of the flywheel-and-two-rollers design also used on the
18" at Charterhouse.

The rear of the cell looks like it's covered in counterweights.
Presumably the fork was too short for the tube length?

I think the disks on the back of the cell are part of the casting. The
weights are all bolted onto the sides of the rear cell assembly.

I am curious about the main drive - the fork arrangement looks similar
to an 18" I know . Any foundry makers marks on the castings or gears?

Does anyone know if Fullerscopes ever made open frame reflectors this size?

Regards,
Martin Brown

On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 09:37:14 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote:

wrote:

Steady Tim

The mounting is of the flywheel-and-two-rollers design also used on the
18" at Charterhouse.

The rear of the cell looks like it's covered in counterweights.
Presumably the fork was too short for the tube length?

I think the disks on the back of the cell are part of the casting. The
weights are all bolted onto the sides of the rear cell assembly.

I am curious about the main drive - the fork arrangement looks similar
to an 18" I know . Any foundry makers marks on the castings or gears?

Does anyone know if Fullerscopes ever made open frame reflectors this size?

A few more photos here.

http://www.digitalsky.org.uk/temp/15...reflector.html

I'll have a look for foundary marks next time I'm in the dome.


--
Pete
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
Global Projects - http://www.globalobservers.net

wrote:
Steady Tim

I wasn't taking the mick. It's just I'm easily excited by overly
engineered machinery. Particularly "delicate" scientific instruments!

Tim

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 23:56:10 GMT, Tim Hicks
wrote:

Pete Lawrence wrote:
Patrick's 15" reflector is undergoing a bit of a restoration courtesy
of some local Selsey astronomers (it's obviously in the water!). As
well as an impressive optical heritage, the scope is a fascinating
piece of engineering.

I used to view thro this scope at Stoneleigh Surrey courtesy of owner
Phil Ringsdore eg BPM [before Patrick Moore]!

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 16:31:11 GMT, (Maurice Gavin)
wrote:


I used to view thro this scope at Stoneleigh Surrey courtesy of owner
Phil Ringsdore eg BPM [before Patrick Moore]!

So, how was it?

Dan C

On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 10:07:25 GMT, (Dan Chaffee)
wrote:

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 16:31:11 GMT, (Maurice Gavin)
wrote:

I used to view thro this scope at Stoneleigh Surrey courtesy of owner
Phil Ringsdore eg BPM [before Patrick Moore]!

So, how was it? Dan C

Pretty good if I recall from 30yrs backg.

I'm amused at the amusement of contributors on this posting regarding
the 'engineering' of this telescope. Just for the record that's how
scopes were in post WWII UK eg homebuilt including the mirror set [by
Peter Sartori if I recall] - this was pre blue/orange tubes off the
shelf !

Today's amateur is completely spoilt for choice but when contemplating
a homebuilt observatory a DIY shed on a few bricks comes to mindg.
Why?