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Lot 744

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Sextant, WWII model A-10, Fairchild Aviation

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Sextant, WWII Model A-10 Battery powered, Fairchild Aviation. In original World War Two era box with most of the accessories intact.
Provenance: Miki and James J. Mangan III of Fairfield, CT
Size: H. 5.25" x L. 9.25" x W. 8.75"
Weight: 7lbs
Condition: very good in original case

A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects. Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is known as the altitude. Making this measurement is known as sighting the object, shooting the object, or taking a sight. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical or aeronautical chart. A common use of the sextant is to sight the sun at noon to find one's latitude. Since the sextant can be used to measure the angle between any two objects, it can be held horizontally to measure the angle between any two landmarks which will allow for calculation of a position on a chart. A sextant can also be used to measure the Lunar distance between the moon and another celestial object (e.g., star, planet) in order to determine Greenwich time.
The item featured here is a military sextant. As issued during World War two to personnel from the Army Air Force (AAF). Complete with the issue wooden box, which has multiple compartments to house the different components of the apparatus.

very good in original case

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