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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
 Posted - 19/11/2023 : 22:21:09
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I know that some of us have Russian MiG aircraft clocks on our dashboards which certainly look the part as well as being very handy on timed navigation rallies. And in looking for something in the splendid online Motor Sport archive I came upon this 1931 advertisement for the Smith's version. It’s more or less identical to the Russian one except for the use of Roman numerals and a 8 day movement rather than a 3 day one but my goodness, look at the price!
At £12 12s 0d that was about four weeks' wages, equivalent to about £2,500 today! I’d say they didn’t sell too many and that’s the only advertisement I saw for it throughout the post-vintage Triple-M period.
Simon J
J3437 |
Edited by - Simon Johnston on 19/11/2023 22:21:32 |
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John Brinkmann
USA
153 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2023 : 16:32:05
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Barry Walker provided a boost guage that he said was surplus, and it looks as much.
A little research proved it to be from an early Spitfire. So it stays.
John. |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2023 : 17:01:50
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The Russian version of the clock is apparently good for Mach 2, 100,000 ft, and 6g- so just about adequate for a J2 
Simon J
J3437 |
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Tore
Sweden
5 Posts |
Posted - 23/01/2024 : 01:02:17
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I was lucky to find this genuine Smith Cronograph Clock some years ago. The Jaeger LeCoultre movement gives the SWISS MADE on the dial. A small issue with these Chronograph's is that you need to make a small adjustment of the hole in the dashboard for this clock if your car has a standard 3" clock fitted. The two adjustment knobs need some extra space behind the front.
Tore
J2609
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 23/01/2024 : 06:40:20
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Koen,
Thanks for this. Interesting that the advertisement emphasises that the “the movement is the finest 8-day Smith jewelled lever type available”. Do you know when your clock dates from? It’s odd that the hand in secondary dial at the bottom goes anti-clockwise.
Simon J
J3437 |
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coracle
United Kingdom
1935 Posts |
Posted - 23/01/2024 : 09:11:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Simon Johnston
The Russian version of the clock is apparently good for Mach 2, 100,000 ft, and 6g- so just about adequate for a J2
Simon J
J3437
It's still wise to fit one of these to be sure you don't "over do it."
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Tore
Sweden
5 Posts |
Posted - 24/01/2024 : 23:54:37
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I think that this Jaeger LeCoultre movement was first presented in 1928 but I'm not sure if my memory is correct regarding that information. Maybe someone also knows if the Smith version with this movement was available before 1931? I'm rather sure that my Smith Chronograph clock is from the early 30s. In the later 30s most aviation clocks had fronts with four holes for screws that should hold the clock to the instrument panel. I think that this first version with the simpler round rim looks more correct when used in cars. The Russian copy is lucky enough based on the first version. Regarding the price in 1931. If you wanted the illumines hands the price raised to £14.
Tore
J2609 |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 25/01/2024 : 07:21:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Tore
I think that this first version with the simpler round rim looks more correct when used in cars. The Russian copy is lucky enough based on the first version.
Yes, Tore, the Russian version looks the part. I hadn’t realised the design was in fact age-appropriate for a J2 until I found the advertisement in Motor Sport
Simon J
J3437 |
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MarkH
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 18:39:41
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This, a 1940 S. Smith & Sons, Mark II 8 day clock, dated 1940, with Jaeger LeCoultre movement.As fitted (so I understand) to Spitfires,Hurricanes and Lancasters. I’m convinced that’s why my J2 sounds a bit throatier!
MSH
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Edited by - mgmog on 27/01/2024 21:17:57 |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 20:09:45
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The Russian version of the 1930s Smith's clock is still in use in the MiG29 and SU 27 fighters as far as I can determine. When I bought mine in Warsaw in the mid 1990s, it was brand new and still in its factory packaging.
Simon J
J3437 |
Edited by - Simon Johnston on 27/01/2024 20:10:53 |
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MarkH
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 20:37:59
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It’s interesting that they are not remotely alike?
MSH |
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MarkH
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 21:14:02
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PS: I do think I prefer the Spitire cockpit (with Smiths 8 Day clock) to the Russian Mig.
MSH |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 22:01:16
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The fact that a clock, the design of which dates back ninety years or more, is still used in modern Russian jet fighters reminds me of the old story that NASA spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in the zero gravity of space - the Russians used pencils!
Simon J
J3437 |
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MarkH
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 22:27:31
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But pencils didn’t get them to the moon first…
MSH |
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MarkH
United Kingdom
149 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 22:36:05
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I will correct myself: the Russians landed the unmanned Luna 2 on the moon’s surface before the USA. Perhaps the pen(cil) is not mightier than the sword?
MSH |
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Simon Johnston
United Kingdom
6115 Posts |
Posted - 27/01/2024 : 22:36:17
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But they did orbit the earth first …
Simon J
J3437 |
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