| Accession Number | REL41075 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Optical equipment |
| Physical description | Glass, Paint, Steel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | Unknown |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Periscope from Japanese Kairyu Midget Submarine
Description
Body of a periscope, with no handles or eyepiece, from a Japanese Kairyu Midget Submarine. There is a 52mm aperture near the base adjacent to which is stamped '106' and '77'. The base contains a threaded removable insert that is stamped 'F106' and contains a crystaline substance. The shaft reduces in diameter approximately 495mm from the top where there is a larger viewing aperture measuring 122mm by 70mm. The glass in the aperture is broken. There are remnants of yellow-green paint on this upper section.
History / Summary
The Kairyu was a type of Japanese midget submarine which saw limited production in 1945. These submarines were developed to counter the anticipated Allied invasion of Japan. This is not from one of the Type A midget submarines that were used earlier in the war during the Imperial Japanese Navy attack on Sydney Harbour on 31 May/1 June 1942.