Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-330-35 for XM50 Tank Periscope, December 1969
Item Overview
This original U.S. Army technical manual covers direct support, general support, and depot maintenance for the experimental XM50 Tank Periscope, FSN 1240-950-2805. Issued in December 1969, it also covers the periscope’s wiper, data-linkage, protective, and washer-system equipment. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a periscope, tank, weapon, wiper, linkage, guard, shield, washer system, or other equipment.
Publication Details
The XM50 manual was prepared for trained military personnel responsible for inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, adjusting, and testing advanced tank fire-control equipment.
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-330-35
- Publication date: December 1969
- Primary subject: XM50 Tank Periscope
- Federal Stock Number: 1240-950-2805
- Manual level: Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance
- Issuing authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Country of origin: United States
- Equipment status: Experimental or pre-standardized
- Item included: Technical manual only
Associated Equipment Covered
The manual covers the XM50 as a complete sight installation rather than an optical unit alone. Its associated equipment helped keep the viewing surface clean, transmit sighting data, and protect exposed parts of the system.
- XM50 Tank Periscope: FSN 1240-950-2805
- Wiper assembly: FSN 1240-950-7205
- Linkage data assembly: FSN 1220-950-2515
- Guard and shield assembly: FSN 1240-950-9917
- Additional coverage: Components of the washer pump and reservoir
Manual Coverage
This higher-level maintenance publication supported work beyond routine crew and organizational care. Its subject matter covers the inspection, troubleshooting, disassembly, cleaning, repair, reassembly, adjustment, and testing of the XM50 and its related equipment. The manual is valuable for understanding how the optical, mechanical, and electrical parts worked together as a serviceable tank sighting system.
About the XM50 Tank Periscope
The XM50 was an experimental gunner’s periscope developed during the creation of a new fire-control system for the M60A2 tank. It provided unity-power viewing, an eight-power daylight sight, and a ten-power passive low-light sight. A projected reticle could be positioned in elevation and deflection to match correction data supplied by the fire-control computer. The later standardized version was designated the M50 Tank Periscope.
M60A2 Weapon-System History
The M60A2 was developed during the 1960s as an advanced member of the M60 tank family. Its turret carried the M162 152mm gun-launcher, which could fire conventional ammunition and MGM-51 Shillelagh guided missiles. The sighting system brought together the XM50 or later M50 periscope, an M126 telescope, a laser range finder, and electronic fire-control equipment. This technology was advanced for its time but was also more complex to operate and maintain than the equipment used on earlier M60 tanks.
History of Use
The December 1969 date places this manual during the XM50’s development and testing period, before the M60A2 entered regular Army service in the early 1970s. In service, the standardized M50 gave the gunner day and passive low-light viewing while working with the tank’s range-finding and fire-control equipment. The wiper and washer components helped keep the exposed optical window clear of water and dirt, while the guard and shield protected parts of the installation. M60A2 tanks served mainly during the 1970s before the type was withdrawn, making this manual an important record of an unusual Cold War weapons program.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1240-330-35 documents the XM stage of equipment that later became the M50 Tank Periscope. It is a useful reference for studying the M60A2, Shillelagh missile system, tank optics, fire-control computers, and Army maintenance practices. Its coverage of the complete sight installation also makes it valuable for museum research and restoration work.
Condition
This vintage military technical manual may show cover wear, edge wear, folds, yellowing, stains, writing, stamps, punched holes, loose pages, or other signs of age and storage. Printing details and condition may vary between available copies.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited for collections, research projects, and exhibits covering Cold War tanks and military optical equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M60A2 tank research and displays
- XM50 and M50 periscope restoration
- Shillelagh weapon-system exhibits
- Military optics and fire-control research
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 11", Approx height 1", Approx weight 2lbs.
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