"TABBY" night vision
 

A early British designed night vision system called "TABBY" was trialed in a Australian CCKW and a CMP sigs Van. Tabby cats have excellent night vision but I wonder if this idea was just too far ahead of it's time.

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear....aspx?B=649327

I see it's referred to as a "0" generation night vision device. Apparently used by commandos and other sneaky groups. Reported to be used on d-day. This early generation needed an IR illuminator which is no problem for a vehicle. Submarines used an IR beacon so commandos could locate them on return trip.
There have been a few for sale on the web but as the HV battery was sealed inside all remain dead.

Other Aust Trials
 

Also trialled in Australia on Grant and Matilda tanks, and on the Sten SMG Mk3.

Not tropic proofed and not adopted for service. The partial remains of a Tabby system existed in a private military museum on the Gold Coast many years ago, but they had no clue as to what it was (and were not interested).

When I first had that file cleared for public access in the late 1980s, it was just listed in the paper file listing as 'Tabby', and I thought I was getting a report on the Japanese copy of the C-47 aircraft code named 'Tabby'. Pleasantly surprised when the file arrived in the reading room!

Mike

Tabby
 

Wheels & Tracks Issue 53 includes an article "Tabby Night-Driving Equipment". If needed I can get the details.

Here's a hint CMPs had mounting points for Tabby equipment?
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...bby#post204907

Hello
link containing some very interesting documents
I am still looking for any documents on the K version
many thanks to you