Not A Watch, But...........

[XTrooper]

I just ordered one of these cool ACS-1 "B" manual wind MIG-29 cockpit clocks (91mm diameter) and desk stand for it. |>

The clock is 91mm in diameter (approx. 3.5") and besides the 3-day power reserve main clock which has minute, hour, and sweep second hands, it also has an upper subdial independent flight time recorder and a lower subdial independent chronograph with both 60 second and 60 minute hands. B-)

Here's a pic of the clock, one of the same type clock in the cockpit of a MIG-29, and a clock mounted in its black acrylic desk stand.

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/B20_mig_2.JPG
http://ebay.grizzly33bear.com/imgs/military/airclock_mig29-cockpit.jpg
http://i16.ebayimg.com/03/i/01/a1/0f/95_1.JPG

[Docrwm]

Steve, that's really an amazing purchase. Is it mechanical or electrical?

[bestak]

It's a great clock :-!
here is mine

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bestak/MyWtch/sml/sm_mig_P6260100.jpg
:-D

[XTrooper]

Steve, that's really an amazing purchase. Is it mechanical or electrical?

Mechanical manual wind with 3-day power reserve. B-)

[XTrooper]

It's a great clock :-!
here is mine

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bestak/MyWtch/sml/sm_mig_P6260100.jpg
:-D


VERY COOL DISPLAY STAND, BESTAK! Two Thumbs Up! |> |>

[UVox]

congratulation Steve :-!

[XTrooper]

Thanks, Andreas! ;-)

[quoll]

Steve - congratulations, another stunning purchase. You will have to figure out a way to get a fleiger strap on to it! Then we want the wrist shots....

[XTrooper]

I think I'll spend a few weeks at the gym first before I attempt that! :-D :-D :-D

[Xantiagib]

I've seen these in TV documentaries on the Russian Space program in the 60s

[XTrooper]

Xantiagib: A Citroen! I haven't seen that model since I was a boy and that was a long time ago! :-D

[_Tammo_]

For those interested


I took some pictures when I opened the clock to see what was inside:

Back of the case:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Shturmanskie/ACS1/acs1_c.jpg

Note two electrical terminals for the internal heating. A large round “screw” which gives access to the time adjustment regulator inside ( a + and – is on the cover)
And the seal at top which I have broken to get to the screw underneath to open the housing.


Inside of the housing:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Shturmanskie/ACS1/acs1_b.jpg

The heater operates at 27 V DC and is switched on/off by a bi-metallic switch at temperatures below approx. –6 Centigrade.


Housing removed:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Shturmanskie/ACS1/acs1_a.jpg

There are two plates. The bottom plate contains the clock and the top one contains the chronograph. In between you can see two mainsprings in parallel for better isochronism and long running time


Top view

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Shturmanskie/ACS1/acs1_d.jpg

The regulator for time adjustment is bottom left (Accessible via the back of the clock through that big round screw) The mechanism show here is the chronograph.
As you can see mine is made in the 1st quarter of 1982.

Close up of the balance wheel

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Shturmanskie/ACS1/acs1_e.jpg

Surprise ! There is no shock protection. A beautiful gear reduction to the regulator makes very precise adjustments possible. Also the spring stopping the balance wheel for the hack second is shown.


An finally here is some information on how to operate the clock:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indications on Dial

Top inner dial is a 12 hour timer with a white, red and red-white signal indicator at the 6-clock position.
White indicates stop/reset, white-red indicates standby-halted, and red indication means timer running.
The Russian text in the dial says: Flight Time
Lower inner dial is 60 minutes/60 seconds chronograph.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Left Red button

In normal (pushed-in) state you wind the clock wit hit (rotate left)
Pull the Red button and you can adjust the time, by rotating it (like a watch)
Push the Red button once to start the top inner dial timer, indicator goes from white to red. Pushed again indicator goes to red-white. The timer is now halted/standby. Pushed once again will reset the timer and the indicator goes back to white.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Right button (with an arrow on it)

Rotate it to the right to stop the clock ( called hacking) and rotate left again to start the clock.
You can synchronize the clock to the second with an accurate time signal.
Push the button once to start the stopwatch. Push once more to halt the stopwatch. Push once again resets the stopwatch.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

regards,

Tammo

[XTrooper]

Very interesting and helpful, Tammo! Thanks for sharing! |>

[Xantiagib]

Could it be that they liked the look of 'BREMR ПОЛЕТ' on the dial so that is why they changed from 1MWF to 'ПОЛЕТ' (Poljot) ?

[_Tammo_]

Could it be that they liked the look of 'BREMR ПОЛЕТ' on the dial so that is why they changed from 1MWF to 'ПОЛЕТ' (Poljot) ?

I’m not sure, but I don’t think it is the case.

These clocks were made by Molnija. I think it is just a coincidence, because of Flight (Poljot) and the text "Flight Time" on the clock.

The 1st MWF factory was renamed Flight (Poljot) because of the first Space flight of Gagarin and them supplying Gagarin’s watch and other timing equipment in the successful space program.

Regards,

Tammo

[Docrwm]

Tammo, Excellent review and inspection of the inner workings - thanks. Has anyone considered placing it in the little used Review section of the forum?

[XTrooper]

Has anyone considered placing it in the little used Review section of the forum?

I don't know, but it sounds like an excellent suggestion to me! |>

[michele]

Excellent review :-! That's the type of stuff that is missing on the forum.