TM 9-6650-212-12
LUBRICATION AND PAINTING
Section Ill.
be used in joints and threads in leg, cradle and
3-8. General Lubrication Instructions.
collar assemblies of tripod M15.
a. Usual Conditions. Lubrication of the obser-
b. Reports and Records. Report unsatisfactory
vation telescope should be performed very care-
performance of materiel (para l-2e) or unsatis-
fully; excessive applications of a lubricant may
factory effect of prescribed lubricants and pre-
conceal and render the close fitting parts of the
serving materials.
telescope inoperative, Thorough cleaning of parts,
before the application of any lubricant, is essen-
3-9. Painting.
tial in preventing corrosive action taking place
Organizational maintenance personnel will per-
under grease or oil applications. Normally, air-
form both touchup and complete paint refinishing
craft and instrument grease will be applied to all
on fire-control materiel, when required, Care will
bearing or contact surfaces which move relative
be exercised when repainting fire-control materiel
to one another. The same kind of grease will be
to prevent paint from covering scales, lenses,
applied to all unprotected metal surfaces even
bearing surfaces, telescope seats, etc., in order to
though they are not working surfaces. Aircraft
maintain these and like surfaces in efficient work-
instrument and machine gun lubricating oil is to
ing condition,
Section IV.
PREVENTIVE-MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND SERVICES
inspection to see whether it is in its normal as-
3-10. General.
sembled position.
a. Responsibility and Intervals, The primary
(3) Inspection of a unit to determine if it is
function of preventive maintenance is to prevent
"secure" is usually an external visual examination
breakdowns and therefore, the need for repair.
or an examination by hand or wrench for loose-
Preventive-maintenance services are the responsi-
ness. Such an examination must include lock-
bility of the using organization. Preventive-
washers and locknuts.
maintenance applies generally to before-operation,
during-operation, and after-operation services
(4) By "excessively worn" is meant beyond
performed by the operator, It also applies to
serviceable limits or to a point likely to result in
scheduled services to be performed at designated
failure if the unit is, not replaced before the next
intervals by the organization mechanic when
scheduled inspection.
necessary. Intervals are based on normal opera-
tions. Shorter intervals are necessary for abnor-
3-11. Cleaning.
mal operation or severe conditions. Intervals
a. General Any special cleaning instructions
during inactive periods may be lengthened as
required for specific mechanism or parts are con-
appropriate.
tained in the pertinent section of this manual.
b. Definition of Terms. General inspection of
General cleaning instructions are outlined in b
an item includes inspection of all supporting parts
through g below.
and connections. It is a check to see whether the
b. Metal Parts.
item is in good condition, correctly assembled,
secure, and not excessively worn.
(1) Use dry-cleaning solvent or mineral
spirits paint thinner to clean or wash grease or
(1) The inspection for "good condition" is
oil from all metal parts of the observation tele-
usually an external visual inspection to determine
scopes and tripod.
whether the unit is damaged beyond serviceable
(2) After the parts are cleaned, dry them
limits. The term "good condition" is explained
thoroughly. To prevent rusting, apply a light
further as follows: not bent or twisted, not chafed
grade of aircraft instrument lubricating oil to
or burred, not broken or cracked, not bare or
all exposed unpainted machine-finished surfaces.
frayed, not dented or collapsed, not torn or cut,
and not deteriorated.
c. Rubber Parts. Clean rubber parts with soap
(2) The inspection of a unit to see that it is
and warm water. Apply coating of powdered
"correctly assembled" is ordinarily an external
technical talcum to preserve the rubber.
3-2
