Description
U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-1240-332-35 for XM126 Articulated Telescope and Hanger Assembly, July 1968
Item Overview
This U.S. Army technical manual covers direct support, general support, and depot maintenance for the experimental XM126 Articulated Telescope and its hanger assembly. Issued in July 1968, it documents this specialized fire-control equipment during development of the M60A1E2 tank, which later entered service as the M60A2. This listing is for the technical manual only. It does not include a telescope, hanger assembly, mount, tank, weapon, or other equipment.
Publication Details
The manual was prepared for trained military personnel responsible for inspecting, repairing, aligning, and testing the XM126 telescope and its supporting equipment.
- Manual number: TM 9-1240-332-35
- Publication date: July 1968
- Primary subject: XM126 Articulated Telescope and hanger assembly
- XM126 Articulated Telescope FSN: 1240-924-7670
- Hanger Assembly FSN: 1240-924-7671
- 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
Manual Coverage
This higher-level maintenance publication supported work beyond routine crew and organizational care. Its subject matter covers inspection, troubleshooting, disassembly, cleaning, optical and mechanical repair, reassembly, adjustment, alignment, and final testing. It also addresses the hanger assembly that supported and positioned the telescope within the sight installation.
About the XM126 Articulated Telescope
The XM126 was an experimental gunner’s telescope developed for the M60A1E2 tank program. Its articulated construction allowed the optical sections to move through the required angles while fitting inside the vehicle’s compact turret. The standardized M126 provided 8-power magnification with an 8-degree field of view and used separate reticles for guided missiles and conventional ammunition.
Fire-Control Role
The XM126 was developed to work with the tank’s 152mm gun-launcher and MGM-51 Shillelagh missile-guidance system. The later M126 was the gunner’s primary sight for missile, canister, and coaxial-machine-gun engagements. It also served as a secondary sight for HEAT-MP ammunition. During missile firing, the gunner kept the reticle on the target while the guidance system sent steering corrections to the missile.
Weapon-System History
The M60A1E2 program tested a compact new turret and an advanced gun-and-missile fire-control system during the 1960s. The design later entered service as the M60A2, armed with the M162 152mm gun-launcher. The production fire-control system combined the M126 telescope, M153 telescope mount, M50 gunner’s periscope, AN/VVS-1 laser range finder, M19 ballistic computer, and Shillelagh tracking equipment. The system was advanced for its time but required careful optical alignment and skilled maintenance.
History of Use
The July 1968 date places this manual within the experimental M60A1E2 development period, several years before the M60A2 was first accepted in 1973. The standardized M126 remained part of the gunner’s station when the tank entered Army service. M60A2 tanks served mainly during the 1970s before the model was withdrawn, making this XM126 manual an important record of the system’s early development.
Collector and Research Value
TM 9-1240-332-35 documents the experimental version of the telescope that later became the M126. It is a useful reference for studying the M60A1E2 program, M60A2 tank, Shillelagh missile system, articulated military optics, and Cold War fire-control development. Its coverage of the hanger assembly 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. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This manual is well suited for collections, restoration projects, and exhibits covering experimental Cold War tanks and military fire-control equipment.
- U.S. Army technical-manual collections
- M60A1E2 and M60A2 tank research
- XM126 and M126 telescope restoration
- MGM-51 Shillelagh system exhibits
- Military optics and fire-control research
- Museum and archival collections
Approx length 8", Approx width 10", Approx height .3", Approx weight .5lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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