#165) Librascope Balance Computer on ebay for $875.00

A rare Librascope Model LC-1 Balance Computer has just been listed on ebay for $875.00! A detailed writeup of this seller's same Balance Computer was first posted July 31, 2013 on Blog Post #86: Click Here

to read. Note, the seller's contact information is at the bottom of the post.

A copy of the current description on ebay follows:

"1943 Librascope Balance Computer for the Glenn L. Martin PBM-3C Mariner Series Flying Boat. Model LC-1, S/N 662. Missing the original wooden fabric covered case, but otherwise complete and functional. Extremely rare mechanical computer. Very few were manufactured and fewer yet survive today.

Just one of a complete collection of Load Adjusters I am selling for the Martin PBM and P5M series seaplanes from 1937 to 1967."

You may view the complete ebay posting at "Click Here". Bids close next Monday, February 23rd.

#89) Locating Replacement Parts For Old Librascope Products

Occasionally, Librascope Memories receives requests from both Libravet and non-Libravet readers for assistance in locating parts they need for old Librascope products. Some past examples include requests for locating L107MA disk memory castings required for replicating the "Mr. Fusion" mounted on the rear of the DeLorean Time Machine in the movie "Back to the Future" (see Blog Posts #2, 12, and 14). Other examples are various parts needed for WWII vintage Librascope Balance Computers and MK 7 Barrage Computers. A few of these requests have also been posted on this Blog.

Needless to say, old Librascope product parts are very hard to locate, and we can't always help you find them on a timely basis. So, here are some suggestions for where you might find the part(s) you need:

1) Museums that specialize in military, computer, and aerospace equipment. Frequently, they will have equipment or parts in the back room that they are no longer interested in displaying and would consider selling them, or donating them to a worthy cause.

2) e-Bay. Simply search on e-Bay for "Librascope". You might also consider posting your requirement there as a potential buyer.

3) War Surplus Stores (See Blog Post #64 for a local example).

4) Craig's List

5) Apex Electronics in Sun Valley, CA
http://www.apexelectronic.com/contact
When Librascope was still in business, the Company would often sell its surplus parts to Apex.

If all else fails, please contact me and we'll try and help you. Of course we would appreciate hearing about any successes you've had too. Either send me an e-mail (see above), or leave a Comment on this Post.

Finally, we suggest that you subscribe to this Blog (see instructions above), so that you can be kept up to date on any related matters.

Thanks,
Carl

#86) Martin PBM-3C "LC-1 Balance Computor" (circa 1943)

Bruce Barth, an accomplished naval aviation historian and researcher, has a Librascope LC-1 Balance Computor (sic) manufactured for the Martin PBM-3C seaplanes used during W.W. II. Bruce's website is at vpmma.org.

Bruce acquired his LC-1 (s/n 662) about 25 years ago at an antique and collectibles show in San Francisco. The unit is in good physical condition and still works; however, it is lacking its original hinged case.

Bruce is wanting to display his Balance Computor in a museum setting, so he is very interested in acquiring a hinged case in almost any condition. He believes the case is the same size as those used on LC-1's designed for other aircraft types such as the PV-1 and PBY. The outside dimensions of his unit are 17.75" x 10" x 2".

You may contact Bruce at:  bbarth2boi@gmail.com and 1-512-288-9824.

#64) Oxman's Surplus, Inc. - 51 years in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Did you know there is still an old time war surplus store/museum operating for profit in Southern California? It's run by its 96 year old founder and his family. Earlier this year, Libravet Stan Bucklien sent me a copy of an LA Times article describing the place, which was then celebrating its 50th anniversary. Click here to read the very interesting story (less photos) that Stan found.

According to the newspaper article, one of the items in the museum's collection is a Librascope B-17 Balance Computer from WWII. If you'd like to visit, Oxman's is located at:

14128 E. Rosecrans Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
1-562-921-1106
1-888-569-6257
Hours, etc. are posted on Oxman's website at - click here.

#33) Price for Librascope Balance Computer Reduced 70%!

Librascope Balance Computer in a Display Case (Typical)

Blog #20, on April 2nd, described a Librascope Balance Computer in a display case that was for sale on Craig's List for $10,000. That price has recently been reduced 70% to $3,000, and re-listed.

The current listing may be found at:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/clt/2438444208.html

#20) $10,000 for a Librascope Balance Computer in a Display Case?

An original Librascope Balance Computer, mounted in an attractive display case suitable for mounting on a wall, has been posted on Craig's List for $10,000 or best offer. You may see the posting at:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/clt/2292457359.html
 
The current owner recently acquired the unit from a friend who bought it at an auction about ten years ago.

More than one of these display units were built by Librascope. One is displayed at each of the Libravet Reunions, and another is said to be on display in Washington DC. Also, Libravets may remember there was one on display in the main lobby of Building 8. Others are unaccounted for.

#11) W.W.II Librascope Balance Computer sold for $312.00 on e-Bay!

Bidding has ended on this item. Bidding increased by almost $200 in the closing seconds!

Item number: 260690001921

Please wait Image not available	WWII “Librascope Balance Computor for Boeing B-17”
	Item condition:	Used
	Ended:	Nov 15, 201014:09:14 PST
	Winning bid:	US $312.00 [ 24 bids ]
	Shipping:	Varies based on location and shipping method
	Seller:	Member id mackie-paper ( Feedback Score Of 3001)
		See full description Seller's other items

#10) W.W.II "Librascope Balance Computer for Boeing B-17" on e-Bay - HURRY if you are interested.

This unusual piece of equipment was donated to the Oregon Air & Space Museum, and has been deemed surplus and thus is being offered for sale. The current bid is only $10.49, but bids close this Monday (November 15, 2010) at 14:09:14 PST. The owner's description, from the e-Bay web-site, follows:

Mounted in a simulated black leather covered case, the device measures 16” x 11” x 3”.  Manufactured by “Librascope Incorporated, Burbank, California, U.S.A. (Does Lockheed come to mind?... for it was one of the companies Boeing authorized to build B-17s.)... and bears patent number 2179822.  It is completely mechanical (no electricity required), the “balancing” exercises being applied by turning the dials.  These in turn move systems of interconnected lever-arms and cables, ultimately arriving at two principal measurements... (1) “Total Weight” in pounds, and (2) “Center of Gravity Position” as a percent of Mean Wing Chord.  There are dials to insert such info as gallons of oil, fuel in gallons, bombs in pounds, etc.  Other dials can be turned to record the weights of personnel, gear, equipment, etc.... in the nose, control area (cockpit & adj. area), entrance, rear gunner area and tail section.  Finally there are large screws at the LL and LR corners... these being for “weight adjustment” and “balance adjustment.  I have tilted the “computor” (sic) panel forward so I could view the works, and they all seem to be fully inter-connected and in working order.  Testing the dials, each causes one of the two main indicators to swing... seemingly effortlessly... that in itself, if you saw the works hidden behind the panel, is amazing.  On top of that, this is the first either I or the curator of the museum have ever run into!

More details are available at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-Librascope-Balance-Computor-Boeing-B-17-/260690001921

Please post a comment here if you win!