21.2.15

Fullerscopes 6" F:6 on eBay

A 6" Fullerscopes up for auction on eBay[UK]. The seller's images were of high quality so well worth sharing here.  

This is a shorter focus model than the more usual F:8. It is amusing to think that Fullerscopes classed their F:6 as a rich field telescope. These days an F:6 is considered quite normal.

The clean, but unpainted, MkII mounting is equipped with 6" wormwheels. Their drive worms are fitted on smartly shaped alloy plates to an obviously high standard. Flexible hand drive stalks to both axes are included. Though it does lack a synchronous drive motor to the polar axis. Probably obtainable from Beacon Hill for quite a modest sum if they were told the wormwheel tooth count. 

The drives may even be Beacon Hill's own work. In which case one could even buy one of their reversible motors for the Declination axis and their variable frequency speed control box and paddle. Listed at £170 [GBP] @ 2015 prices. The motors are £40 and £49 respectively for the synchronous RA and the reversible Declination drives. The synchronous drive motor is well worth fitting to allow the observer to relax at the telescope. Without running the risk of losing the object while changing eyepieces or showing a friend the view of the Moon or a planet.


The instrument has some nice original details in the "Export" white GRP tube with tube stiffening end rings and the "slip" ring. The latter allows easy tube rotation without the tube slipping down through the felt-lined tube holding rings. This allows the eyepiece to be brought to a comfortable position regardless of where the telescope is pointed. The substantial tube rings make a complete mockery of many modern examples!

The overall appearance is very tidy indeed. Requiring no obvious restoration to bring it up to date. Many painted components from this era would normally be looking much rougher than the smart alloy castings seen here. 

There is no reason why the instrument couldn't have a synchronous drive motor fitted and be thoroughly enjoyed for another 50 years. It depends on personal taste whether such a "retro" telescope appeals. One certainly gets a very sturdy mounting and very decent optics for the asking price.



An excellent elbow finder and Telrad are useful additions.


The MkII mounting is sitting on an original and sturdy, Fullerscopes wooden tripod base. No problems reaching the eyepiece with this telescope for most users. The legs could even be replaced by longer ones for a taller user. Note the substantial axis locking knobs.


An original Fullerscopes rack & pinion  focuser is fitted. Plus a camera adapter.



Made in England by Broadhurst Clarkson and Fuller this is a traditional Newtonian  f6 Reflector equipped with manual controls in declination and right ascension. The telescope has been well used and is in excellent condition, accessories have been fitted to a professional standard. The high quality optics have yielded detail on the Martian surface as well as other planet and countless deep sky objects, see pictures.

 Glass  fibre tube dimensions  230x920mm 
 1.25” (32mm) rack & pinion focuser 
 50mm aperture Poyser finding scope with diagonal and 
 40mm Kellner eyepiece 
 Telrad Reflex sight 
 Fullerscopes MkII Equatorial Mount 
 6” drive wheels for manual tracking

 Camera adaptor to T mount

Eyepieces:
40mm Kelner (on finder)
18mm Orthoscopic (main tube)


  • Original Fullerscopes catalogue pages for the various 6" models.
    Note how they always used real people [with original bell-bottom trousers] to suggest the true scale of their instruments.

    Click on any image for an enlargement. 
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