Rangefinder Collection

Use of the Naval Rangefinder for Merchant Navy Navigation, 1
Illustration showing how a Naval Barrster or rangefinder could be used for Merchant Navigation. In this instance the officer of the merchant ship is finding his distance from the lighthouse in order

Target Practice - Range Finding Device, 1913. Creator: Unknown
Target Practice - Range Finding Device, 1913

Target Practice - Range Finder at Work, 1913. Creator: Unknown
Target Practice - Range Finder at Work, 1913

Two members of the Nationalist army using a rangefinder periscope to observe Republican troop movements; Spanish Civil War. Date: 1936

Militiamen seen here being given training in the use of an artillery rangefinder at a unknown location in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Circa September 1939

Sea Vixen at Yeovilton
de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ481 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton. XJ481 was used for various electro-optical equipment trials but is seen fitted with a Ferranti LRMTS

On Board The Ark - on watch... c1940, (1942). Creator: Unknown
On Board The Ark - on watch in one of the Arks anti-aircraft direction and range-finders, c1940, (1942). A British Royal Navy aircraft carrier of the Second World War

In An Anti-Aircraft Gun-Pit, 17 October 1941, (1945). Creator: Unknown
In An Anti-Aircraft Gun-Pit, 17 October 1941, (1945). British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits London anti-aircraft batteries jointly manned by men and women during World War Two

Eyes of the Army, 1941. Artist: Cecil Beaton
Eyes of the Army, 1941. A soldier keeps the enemy in his sights. From Air of Glory, by Cecil Beaton. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1941]

Gunlayer, 1937. Artist: WA & AC Churchman
Gunlayer, 1937. Churchmans Cigarette Series, The Navy At Work

Rangetaker, 1937. Artist: WA & AC Churchman
Rangetaker, 1937. Churchmans Cigarette Series, The Navy At Work

Rangetaker: Using The Range-Finder, 1937. Artist: WA & AC Churchman
Rangetaker: Using The Range-Finder, 1937. Churchmans Cigarette Series, The Navy At Work

irman uses a range finder to determine the distance to an unexploded ordnance
Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, September 15, 2004 - Airman uses a range finder to determine the distance to an unexploded ordnance during the wings operational readiness exercise

A U. S. Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller uses a laser rangefinder
January 24, 2010 - A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller uses a laser rangefinder to survey a drop zone outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during Operation Unified Response

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The rangefinder, a remarkable instrument used in various fields, has played a crucial role throughout history. From aiding navigation in the Merchant Navy to observing troop movements during the Spanish Civil War, its versatility and precision have proven invaluable. In 1936, amidst the turmoil of war, two members of the Nationalist army utilized a rangefinder periscope to meticulously monitor Republican troop movements. This innovative device allowed them to gather vital intelligence from a safe distance, giving their side a strategic advantage. Fast forward to Yeovilton in an undisclosed year; we witness the majestic Sea Vixen aircraft proudly displaying its capabilities. Equipped with advanced technology including a rangefinder, this magnificent machine exemplifies how far we have come in terms of aerial warfare. Stepping aboard The Ark circa 1940 brings us back to World War II when sailors diligently stood watch using rangefinders as their eyes on the horizon. These brave individuals relied on this instrument's accuracy and range estimation abilities to detect potential threats lurking at sea. Meanwhile, deep within an anti-aircraft gun-pit on that fateful day in October 1941 (and again in 1945), anonymous heroes operated their weapons with utmost precision thanks to trusty rangefinders by their side. With these devices guiding their aim and calculating distances accurately, they defended against enemy attacks with unwavering determination. The artistic world also recognized the significance of this tool. Cecil Beaton's masterpiece "Eyes of the Army" captured soldiers utilizing rangefinders during wartime operations in 1941. This poignant artwork immortalizes not only their dedication but also highlights how integral these instruments were for military success. Moving away from battlefields and into civilian life, artists WA & AC Churchman depicted gunlayers and rangetakers expertly employing rangefinders for training purposes or actual combat scenarios during peacetime years like 1937. Their illustrations showcase both skill and the importance of continuous practice in mastering this essential equipment.