The Heliograph MkV is a fascinating piece of historical surveying and communications equipment. It was primarily used for visual signaling by reflecting sunlight with a mirror to send coded messages over long distances. This method was primarily useful in remote areas where other forms of communication were not available. The MkV model, specifically, was widely used by the British Army and other military forces from around 1906 until the mid 1960s. It remained in use with the Australian Army Survey Corps until the mid 1980s. The device typically included a 5 - inch mirror and was often mounted on a tripod for stability. Initially the instrument was used to communicate between survey stations using Morse code to coordinate their activities. Later when better forms of communication were available they were used for precise angle alignment where the sunlight reflection from the mirror was targeted between the survey stations to give very accurate results. The MkV was relatively light weight and portable, making it ideal for use in the field. It could be setup and adjusted quickly. The heliograph had an adjustable mirror that could be tilted to reflect sunlight towards a distant receiver. Surveyors could align the mirror using a sighting device. Whilst it was primarily used by the Military it was also used in civil surveying particularly in the remote areas of Australia. This instrument was used as a training aid to help teach surveyors at the Royal Australian Survey Corps School of Military Survey. Catalog item No 2009 is a tripod that was used to mount the Heliograph whilst being used for surveying.A Heliograph containing two mirrors with brass surrounds mounted on a wooden board as a Training Aid. Item has additional parts attached to the base board."Heliograph Mk V Training Aid"royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr

Tripods similar to this were used in both WW1 and WW2. Note: Item 6482 is a Heliograph that was mounted onto a tripod such as this when it was used for surveying.Tripod with wooden legs painted in jungle green. The legs are attached to the apex with tarnished brass fittings, each secured with brass screws. Metal reinforcing plates protect the pointed end of each leg. A brass plate sits at the apex with a threaded rod positioned to allow the attachment of a heliograph or signal light. A khaki webbing shoulder strap for carrying the item is secured to one of the legs. At the bottom end of the strap is a webbing loop used to secure the tripod legs when closed. Stamped on one wooden leg: '15629' Stamped on the top plate: 'D(upwards arrow)D, 0 with an upwards arrow through it, 3(upwards arrow)0' Stamped on one brass leg fitting: 'STAND LAMP OR HELIO A MKlll'military equipment - army, heliograph, signals

Signalling Heliograph in leather case.ww1, army, heliograph, signalling

A spare parts kit for a signalling Heliograph, the kit is incomplete. This kit is in a circular, metal carrying case and contains a spare 5 inch mirror and six brown paper discs. The case has a knurled rim and a small metal loop for carrying or attaching to equipment. The case has paper label with the inscription "HELIOGRAPHS 5-in MARK V (AUST.)" and a list of the contents. The other side of the case has the "D^D" symbol. The rear side of the mirror is marked with the 'D^D' symbol and the manufacturers name. "Manufactured by SOUNDCRAFT PTY LTD Sydney"ww1, army, mirror, heliograph, spare kit, signalling, spare parts

Emergency signaling mirror - Ground to Air .1) Bright polished steel. Cross hairs engraved on reflective surface. Rear face has instructions for use, yellow sticker with black print. .2) Sight. Long piece with viewing hole at end, painted white. .3) White cotton container with tie straps..1) On rear yellow sticker / black print: "Instructions for use of Heliograph Mirror & illustration" .2) Site stamped one side: "27H / 2107" .3) Faded stencil on flap: "Heliograph" heliograph, mirror, ground to air

http://www.prc68.com/I/MkVHeliograph.shtml Brass heliograph.Helios. MkV . No:3075. 1914. Made by Siemens Brothers.

Distress signalling device from the SS Time. 5. Mirrors: Better known as a Heliograph, a mirror might be used while onboard and mostly on a survival craft to reflect the sunshine towards the entity that one needs to attract the attention of. These mirrors not only reflect the light to pinpoint the location of the emergency but are also non-corrosive at the same time. This helps to prolong their usage for a longer period of time.Robertson sun-flash distress signal device with original cardboard boxInstructions on back of mirror and on cardboard boxheliograph, distress signalling, ss time

Brass, metal and wood tripod for use with a heliograph complete with canvas and leather carrying handleStand. Lamp for helio a mark III. Number 3710 PMG Vic 1941

A mirror assembly complete with holder and swivel for the 5" MK.V signalling heliograph used by British and Commonwealth Defence Forces.

Items relate to Clifford Alfred Cairncross, joined the RAAF on 4.6.1942 No 56931 age 28 years. At discharge on 16.4.1946 he held the rank of LAC in No 40 Operational Base unit..1) Map of ocean curents & surface winds west pacific area - on silk fabric (Nov - Apr). .2) Heliograph mirror & foresight, glass & metal with printed instructions on mirror back. .3) Cotton pouch to hold heliograph. .4) 1 Pair black leather large pilot's gloves .5) 1 Pair brown leather pilot's gloves .6) Aircraft recognition US Navy book .7) Brown leather document pouchdocuments - maps, costume accessories, glove accessories, communications - signals, containers, books - reference

11835 - Heliograph mirror with plastic sight. 11835. A - Small saw blade wrapped in black tape. 11835.B - One safetly pin wrapped in greaseproof paper. (all found in flying vest 11386 pockets)survival equipment

E. R. Watts and Son, makers of theodolites and other surveying instruments, of 123 Camberwell Road, London. The company was established in 1856 by Edwin Watts at twenty-three he had saved £100 from his earnings to start the business with his staff consisting of one boy and later Alexander Clarkson as an apprentice with the workshop a small room over a Bemondsey stable. Watts' first order was from Negretti and Zambra for a mining dial Alexander Clarkson In the early days the firm worked mainly on marine compasses. Edwin Watts would go down to the Docks to adjust the compasses once they had been installed on the ships. In May 1873 the business moved to larger premises a house with a garden. The workshop was also the home of Mr and Mrs Watts and their five sons and three daughters. By now there were fifteen to twenty men employed by the firm. The company were commissioned to supply the Theodolites and Levels for the construction to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. Towards the end of the century, the firm began to make heliographs continuing to produce them for the government until just before the Second World War when by agreement assigned their manufacture to another firm. 1904 The first dividing engine was completed by George William Watts. It was so remarkable an instrument at the time and for years afterwards, In 1907 Arthur Ames went to Canada and started an organisation in Winnipeg in 1909 this became a separate company called E. R. Watts and Son Ltd. of Ottawa. This firm developed considerably and was eventually with the co-operation of three other instrument companies (Cambridge Instrument Co, Ross, and Negretti and Zambra), were reconstituted as ”Instruments Ltd” of Ottawa and Toronto. During the next ten years, the firm expanded greatly to include glass grinding, leather work, dividing and engraving, testing, adjusting and packing. This expansion was continued during the First World War when workshops were completed and the machinery installed and running within eleven weeks from the start of construction. During the war, a Sergeant Coles, among the rats, lice and mud of the trenches, fitted various bits of scrap into his cocoa tin and made the first Flash Spotter for plotting the positions of enemy guns. Coles was rushed home to the firm's factory where he and George William Watts designed a spotter not made out of a cocoa tin and as a result, the Watts Vertical Force Variometer was developed during WWI. Other Watts instruments made in the First World War included the Light Mountain Theodolites which were taken on Mt Everest expeditions. In 1919 ER Watts and Sons was incorporated as a limited company and in 1939 G. A. Whipple joined the Board of Directors. Shortly afterwards, Frank Charles Watts died having been Chairman of the firm for over 37 years and seen it through the First World War with all its expansions and difficulties. He was succeeded by his brother George William Watts with the vacant post of Managing Director being filled by G. A. Whipple. During the Second World War, the company expanded further and the number of employees rose to well over 1,300. In 1946 Watts acquired 78% of Adam Hilger and the microscope maker James Swift and Son Who were Manufacturers of Theodolites, Levels, Alidades, Meteorological Instruments, Variometers, and many other types of scientific instruments Then in 1948 the company amalgamated with Adam Hilger as Hilger and Watts which was then incorporated as a public company.Naval Rangefinder with a vertical wooden handle, and an arrangement of optical lenses. Three reversible brass inserts calibrated on both sides in yards, correspond to various base heights, (20 and 25 feet, 30 and 35 feet and 40 and 50 feet). They are fitted along the axis of the instrument. When the scale for the appropriate base height is selected and inserted, the carriage can be slid for coincidence and the distance read at the index mark on the sliding carriage.inscribed "Rangefinder Cotton Type Mk II" Calibrated scale up to 5000 yds (50 ft), 5000 yds (35 ft), 4000 yds (25 ft) made by E. R. Watts & Son.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rangefinder, cotton type, e r watts & sons, naval range finder, marine equipment