"TABBY" night vision

[Mike Kelly]

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

[Bruce MacMillan]

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.

[Mike Cecil]

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

[Hanno Spoelstra]

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

[wendel daniel]

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