When I was doing some searching for info on the T-3 question posted yesterday, I came across info on the T12. This was a "recon" instrument, very unusual in that you look down into it from the top, to be used with stadia.
Never heard of this unit before, would love to have one. Has anyone ever seen one. Apparently not a lot of them were made, something like 1000. Must be some sitting around somewhere.
John,
The US Forestry service had a few of these- one of which made it into my collection of instruments- others which have shown up on Ebay occasionally over the past decade or so, at a rate of about 1 every 2 years or so... They also are fairly rare, Jürg has informed me that just over 1000 T-12's were manufactured from 1946-19... but I've seen more Wild T-4's in person and on Ebay than T-12's, so they are even more rare than the T-4... They found use in extremely rugged terrain where carrying a full-size theodolite would be unwieldy. Sort of a semi-modern equivalent of the "Light-weight Mountain Transit" of the late 1800's.
I'll search for a picture showing their size scaled to other theodolites, but they are a very small and compact instrument- about the size of a 12oz can of soda/pop/coke...
The T-12 used it's own tripod, which was the Wild IXa or IXb (a vs b indicates whether the legs were fixed (a) or expandable (b)- pictured below is the IXb tripod in an Ebay auction-it's only the 2nd Wild IX (a or b) tripod I've ever seen.
Wild T-0 auction with IXa tripod for T-12
I have had one but gave it to the museum a while back. It's a cute little thing and you could carry it around in your pants pocket. They come up every once in a while and generally sell for $1000-1500.
I guess I am naive, I thought no one would want one and it would be cheaper than that.
I noticed there is an ARK2 on ebay for 350GBP ($580). I paid WAY more than that for mine, but it was and still is functioning. Wouldn't mind having it as a spare, but with shipping, etc not sure I need it that bad.
When I bought mine (late 90's), the shipping from Amsterdam was about the same as a RT air ticket at the time, so I went over there to pick it up. But that is a whole other story.....
What's an ARK2
That's a new one on me.
As listed in the Ebay auction, the ARK2 (and possibly the GAK1/ GAK2) also needed the following for operation:
WILD GKK3 Converter
WILD GKB2 Battery
WILD GKL3 Battery Charger
And, a better image of the GAK1, from the MAPTACK photo-album on Picasa, is below.
If you've not seen it, I highly recommend persuing his collection of imagery for various Wild/Leica/Kern and other instruments, at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/MapTack
What's an ARK2
The ARK2 is a militarized / ruggedized north-seeking gyroscopic unit, meant to facilitate hasty-setups of artillery emplacements and establish a north-bearing line for field artillery to orient their howitzers. (or guided missile units, the Pershing missile used a gryo unit as well)
The Ebay auction John's discussing is at the following link- it's only listing the gyro unit, not the associated accessories- I think it needed a control box as well in addition to the battery/ power supply.
I did a quick review of the various north-seeking gyroscopic units in use with the US military a couple of years ago, here's the link to that thread from 2011:
[msg=112970]US Military North-seeking gyroscopic Systems[/msg]
The civilian versions of the ARK2 were known/ sold as the GAK- presumably slightly less-ruggedized, perhaps different construction... not sure. An excellent overview of the Wild GAK1 from 1977, (which may have been also published in the California Surveying Magazine) is at:
Intro to the GAK1 gyro unit 1977
What's an ARK2
Thanks Nathan for educating me. Knew what it was - just not what it was called.
There's also a Kern unit on eBay at the moment that looks fairly complete:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191044115779?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
What's an ARK2
Dave: here are some pics of my ARK2. I have used it underground a few times, both in the US and in South America.
Through the scope...
What's an ARK2
Yes, I remember you brought that to Corbin. Thanks for the pics to remind me.
Anyone remember a Kern unit coupled w/ a gyroscope? Used one in Climax mine in Colorado in '74 & '75.
Look at my second post above with a link to one on eBay now.
Here's a couple of pictures of the Wild T-12 next to a regular (but old!) 12 ounce can of a once-favorite beverage.... it's a little taller than the 12oz can, but would probably be just about right for a 16oz can
The Kern unit (that Dave mentioned and linked to on Ebay) was known as the Lear-Siegler AG-8 North Seeking Gyroscope. It used a Kern DKM1 micrometer theodolite on a modified base, mounted on top of the gyroscope with a control box, battery/power supply case, cabling, and even a wind-shield to semi-protect it from wind conditions. It was quite compact- but results in the field were less than successful, the primary comment being "not rugged enough" for field conditions.
The replacement to the AG-8 was the Wild/ Leica north-seeking azimuth - a similar gyroscopic system using a bigger and more ruggedized gyroscope with a modified T-16 on top.
What's an ARK2
John, thanks for the pictures- those are great- first really good pictures that I've ever seen of the ARK2 system.
This German company still manufactures north seeking gyros. Appears Leica is the instrument of choice to combine with it. Think these setups are $100,000 or more.
Sokkia Topcon or Topcon Sokkia also offers one or more models, maybe about $50,000.
Like Leica/Wild, Sokkia/Sokkisha formerly mounted the gyro on an optical theodolite usually a TM20C or TM6.
bonjour
je suis tombé par hasard sur le forum en cherchant des infos dur le Wild T12,
je possède un T12 que je désire vendre au prix de 1500 €uros hors frais de transport
Si vous êtes intéressé ou un autre collectionneur je suis a votre disposions
Cordialement
Marc
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good morning
I stumbled on the forums seeking hard information on Wild T12,
I have a T12 I want to sale price of 1500 € excluding transport costs
If you are interested or another collector I am at your disposions
Best Regards
Marc
bonjour
J'ai trouvé votre forum en cherchant des l'informations sur le théodolite WILD T12
je ai actuellement un T12 a vendre, le prix de vente est de 1500 € hors frais de transport
Si vous êtes intéressé ou un autre collectionneur, je suis à votre disposition pour tout envoi de photos ou autres infos
Cordialement
Marc
bonjour
J'ai trouvé votre forum en cherchant des l'informations sur le théodolite WILD T12
je ai actuellement un T12 a vendre, le prix de vente est de 1500 € hors frais de transport
Si vous êtes intéressé ou un autre collectionneur, je suis à votre disposition pour tout envoi de photos ou autres infos
Cordialement
Marc