"SEEHUND DREI" night telescope (Nachtfernrohr)

[Jmack]

this would be another great thing to have in a Mod ...

again this is the result of the interrogation of the U-615 crew

It was stated by several prisoners that a special night telescope (Nachtfernrohr) was carried on the last patrol of U-615. It was said to have been used only by the captain and was in such secrecy that no very accurate description could be obtained. The instrument was brought aboard U-615 under armed guard shortly before she sailed on 12 June 1943. It was contained in a black case which was about 45 cm. long, 20 cm. high, and 10 cm. thick.

The prisoners knew of the instrument as "Seehund Drei". A radio rating described it as a stereotelescope with a strap and handles to enable the user to hold it in position. An electric wire connected the instrument to a power outlet on the bridge. He said that in general appearance, it resembled a field rangefinder.

Another prisoner, a seaman, gave a different description of the device. According to him, it was a single tube about 40 cm. long. On one end was a convex lens and on the other, the eye-piece. A leather handle enabled the operator to hold it in place. The electric wire, rubber insulated and about 1/2 inch in diameter, was said to go through the conning tower hatch to a connection below.

The prisoners had various ideas regarding the purpose of the "Seehund Drei". One said it was for observation of shipping at night. Another stated that it enabled the operator to see through fog. Still another had heard that it was used to spot aircraft at night. One stated that it operated with infra-red rays while another insisted that they were ultraviolet. One prisoner stated that it operated on 5,000 volts. When questioned more closely, he confessed that he wasn't sure whether it was 5,000 volts or 5,000 watts.

A radio petty officer from another U-boat stated that the original "Seehund" gear was a fairly old instrument, used on surface ships for visual signaling at night. He said that it was manufactured at the optical works of Leitz at Wotzlar and Zeiss at Jema. He described it as having a single tube with a pistol handle and trigger for sending. Attached to this was a binocular arrangement for receiving. He stated that an invisible light was employed in the gear. (O.N.I. Note: If this description is correct, it may indicate that "Seehund 3" is a development for another purpose, from an older signaling gear.)

[Hartmann]

Probably was a Infrared visor.


from a web page

http://www.boaterslife.com/261.33.0.htm


Gen 0 devices weren’t really image intensifiers at all. They were more like glorified flashlights. By using infrared light along with optics that made the otherwise invisible light apparent to the viewer, Gen 0 devices really were somewhat covert flashlights. As with normal flashlights, their limitations were range and field of view, along with the fact that the user could be revealed if another party possessed similar optics.


Gen 1 devices refer to the first generation of real image intensifiers developed in the 1960’s. Being made of three image intensifier tubes connected in a series, these units were heavy and bulky. They were called “starlight scopes,” a title that reflects their limited abilities in very low light situations.


Gen 2 devices were the first to use the microchannel plate. This innovation eliminated the need for multiple tubes, reducing size and weight, while improving performance. The Gen 2 technologies rolled out in the 1970s allowed for the development of the first real night vision “goggles” for soldiers and pilots.


Gen 3 devices developed during the 1980s and 1990s introduced advanced gallium arsenide photocathodes and ion-barrier-film on the microchannel plate. The new photocathode technology enabled increased range and sensitivity in very dark conditions.
Improvements to the microchannel plate increased the operational lifespan of the tube from about 2000 hours in Gen 2 devices to about 10000 hours in this newest generation.

Gen 4 devices use gated filmless tube technology. Calling this kind of night vision device “fourth generation” is not universally accepted. Gen 4 NVDs are also sometimes known as Gen 3+, Gen 3 Ultra, or advanced third generation units. These are the most advanced systems available and are primarily intended for military and law enforcement users. There are export restrictions placed on these high performance night vision systems by the US Government, so taking them to your favorite international cruising spot is something of a no-no.

[3Jane]

It may have been an adaptation of the same night sights the Germans were fitting to some of their tanks in 1945. I think it was called the "Vampire". There is a geman half-track in the 'Solido' range, carrying what is normaly stated as an anti-aircraft searchlight, but from pictures I recall, I think it is actualy an I.R searchlight used in conjunction with the thermal imaging sights fitted to the Panther tanks during night attacks.