Canadian binoculars The Canadian National Research Council had an Optics Section, and in August 1939 they began planning for war. The U.S. Bureau of Standards provided plans for the glass factories established during WWI; and B & L and A.O. also assisted. In November 1939, approval for plans & funds for a factory were obtained. By January 1940, most of the machinery needed had been purchased. In April 1940, samples of most of the needed optical parts had been made at a temporary plant at the NRC in Ottawa, where workers were being trained. In June, plans for a factory were drawn. On 16 July, 1940, the Canadian government established Research Enterprises Limited, a 'crown company'. In August, it was decided to place the factory in Leaside in Toronto, and $600,000 of machinery was ordered. Construction of the factory was started 16 September 1940, and by 5 June 1941, optical glass was in production. Their first goal was to produce glass and rangefinders of the Barr & Stroud type (and radar equipment). W.E. Phillips, a leading businessman, was the first president, but REL was government owned and supported. George Sweny was the General Manager. Scientists included Dr. L.E. Howlett, head of the NRC Optics Section; and Dr. R.J. Montgomery, formerly in charge of optical glass at B & L. REL was further supported by the U.S. Bureau of Standards and the British Admiralty. REL made 6 x 30 and 7 x 50 binoculars. Some components were subcontracted. They were tested by being sprayed with water; being attached to a cord & dropped; and dropped into a box of sand from 6 feet. REL production through 1945 of 6 x 30 binoculars was almost 50,000 units; 7 x 50 binocular production was about 25,000 units; and there were a half dozen 20 x 72 experimental units produced. Other REL products were predictors, tank periscopes, and sighting telescopes. Optical research at the NRC in Ottawa included improvements to aerial photography lenses. Experiments in night photography were impossible in Britain, and much work was done in Canada. --Peter Abrahams Books that include some information on this topic include: Canadian Binoculars. Canadian Machinery and Manufacturing News, Nov. 1944, pp65-69. Canadian Binoculars. British Admiralty Technical Mission, letter of Sept. 5, 1940. Eggleston, Wilfred. Scientists at War. 1950. --------- There are some odd markings found on REL binoculars, as noted in these emails: C.G.B. 37 MA --- 6X30 ---70094-C (on one side); Graticule 5 Mils Apart --- R.E.L./Canada 1945 (on the other side). The case is also marked with Z.L & T Ltd. 1943 along with the number 2103. The military stock number is F1-001765 with the description of Binocular, M12 (Canadian) 6X30. 7X50 REL, carousel filter assembly on top, marked BOP. ----------- As part of a Canadian Army standardisation programme for all manufacturers and makes/marks of No. 2 binoculars, Beaconing Optical & Precision Materials of Ganby, QC (BOP) was approached to modify three (3) binoculars, Prismatic, No 2 Mk 2, manufactured by Universal Camera (USA). These were serial numbers 11510, 14451 and 12721. The modifiations included work on; Axles, Hinges, Prism mounting plate, and; Fixing (cementing) the Prism. My documents show that the work was done for a cost of $280.00 "however the price for a quantity job will be considerably reduced". This implies that a wide-ranging programme was contemplated. My copy of the original drawing clearly shows the BOP/Canada truncated oval logo. Markings: "C.G.B. 37 MA --- 6X30 ---70094-C on one side and Graticule 5 Mils Apart --- R.E.L./Canada 1945 on the other. The case is also marked with Z.L & T Ltd. 1943 along with the number 2103. The military stock number is F1-001765 with the description of Binocular, Mk2 (Canadian) 6X30." The "CGB37MA" is the Canadian Ordnance Catalog number (pre-NSN)and identifies them as "Binocular, prismatic, C No. 2 Mk. 2C with a Chinese pattern Mil scale*, separate eyepiece, manufactured by Research Enterprises Ltd., The "MA" means that it was issued without a case while a "GA" suffix would indicate issue with a case (this obviously became confusing when cases were added/lost, etc. so the suffix was later omitted.) This pattern of binocular was later modified by changing the graticule to a mil and range scale** and the model was then known as the "Binocular, prismatic, No 2 Cdn Mk 2/5". Obviously 6x30 is the power, 70094C is the serial number, R.E.L. is self-explanatory as is the date of manufacture. The case was manufactured by Zephyr Loom & Textile in 1943 The number refers to the binocular which should be mated to it.) * C Mil identifies the the graticule as consisting of 9 vertical lines measured in mils, no degrees. ** Mil & Range scale graticule has both a scaled horizontal grid and a scaled vertical grid -- Clive Law =================================== From the Elcan web site: ELCAN Optical Technologies (ELCAN) Established in 1952, ...facilities, located in Midland, Ontario and Richardson, Texas, combine to form the largest and most fully integrated optical manufacturing facilities in North America. With over 800 employees operating within 350,000 square feet of space....ELCAN received ISO 9001 registration in June 1994. ... ELCAN Optical technologies is a unit of the Raytheon Commercial Electronics segment of Raytheon Systems Company. 450 Leitz Rd Midland, ON L4R 5B8. Phone: +1 705 528 7177 FAX: +1 705 526 5831 Email: sales@elcan.com Web: http://www.elcan.com ...the design and manufacture of complex, precision opto-mechanical and electro-optical systems and subsystems for the projection display, medical, industrial, automotive, defense, and entertainment markets. Midland, Ontario ....over 600 employees operating within a 235,000 square foot modern facility..... developing systems to function in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared......ELCAN family of Optical Sights, high precision cinematographic lenses, state-of-the-art projection systems light engines and lenses, and thermal vision systems. Product Categories: Finished Optics, Filters & Coatings, Optical Fabrication; Electronic Imaging Components, Equipment, Systems; High Speed Imaging and Sensing; Optoelectronic Devices and Technologies; Cameras, Camera Systems ======== History of Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd. Started in 1952 as a branch factory of the reconstructing E. Leitz of Germany, this operation was both an attempt to better serve accounts in North and South America and also to establish a business base outside of war-torn Europe. The facility was established in Midland, Ontario and set up by Gunther Leitz of the founding Leitz family. However, one of the other original employees who emigrated from Germany turned out to be a brilliant lens designer, and Walther Mandler quickly put Leitz Canada on the map with a series of outstanding lens designs. In the 1960s and 1970s, they made brief forays into government contracting under the name Elcan, but when Mandler retired, all lens manufacturing was shifted back to Germany. In 1990, the plant was sold to Hughes Aircraft Company and continues to operate under the Hughes umbrella. Elcan binoculars were made in both military and commercial configurations, but in numbers totaling only a few thousand units. --Deutsche Optik web site ========= ELCAN binoculars Mr. Klaus Kubetz was recently the Sr. Assembly Manager for the ELCAN plant in Midland, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Kubetz started his career at the age of 14, as a precision mechanical apprentice with E. Leitz in Wetzlar in 1956. He finished his apprenticeship in 1959 and went on to work with various Leitz camera projects in Wetzlar until 1963. At that time he was asked to move to the ELCAN (Ernst Leitz Canada) plant in Canada to lend his expertise to advanced opto-mechanical production. During the 1970's he served as a the supervisor for various military projects, which included the ELCAN 7X50 binocular. Mr. Kubetz is currently the Senior Assembly Manager in charge of the ELCAN plant in Midland, Ontario, Canada. He manages 150 different optical products (60% military, 40% civilian) in all of ELCAN's 7 main assembly areas. The contract for the ELCAN 7X50 Canadian Interservice Military binocular was awarded to ELCAN in 1974. Production of the binocular lasted about 2.5 to 3 years. During this time period approximately 7,500 of the black- bodied military version were produced, along with approximately 400 of the gray-bodied civilian version. The civilian version was largely a failure due to a poor job of the Leitz marketing department in Canada, as well as in the U.S. The binocular cost the Canadian government about $450 (Canadian) in 1974 and the commercial version could be purchased by ELCAN employees for about the same amount. Large quantities of spare optical parts, optical servicing tools/equipment, and technical manuals were sold to the Canadian Armed Forces for future maintenance and repair of the binoculars. The Canadian Army currently maintains "optical repair depots" where the binoculars are still serviced and maintained along with other more modern ELCAN optics. The ELCAN still serves as the main "workhorse" binocular for the Canadian armed forces. ELCAN considered and built several other binocular prototypes other than just the 7X50 version. The U.S. Navy requested a 10X50 prototype binocular based on the same body as the 7X50. About 10 prototypes of this binocular were built for the U.S. Navy, but no contract was awarded. An 8X50 prototype was also produced largely to appeal to the commercial marketplace. About 10 of these prototypes were produced. The failure of the 7X50 binocular in commercial guise ended any hope for expanded production of an 8X50 model. Production of military binoculars at the ELCAN factory continues even today. ELCAN is building the binoculars for the U.S. Army's ITAS (Improved Tactical Weapons System) integrated optical system. Specifications and description of this device are still classified. From: "Steve Harris" home page: http://www.europa.com/~telscope/binotele.htm