[ARC5] Command Set Navigators

[Mike Morrow]

I wrote:

>Now all I need is the MC-415 BCB control box dial. 

Dave wrote:

>I have seen exactly one of these 274N BCB dials,
>and I gave that to a good friend some years ago for his set.
>IMHO, such an installation could not have been
>common because, if it were, these BCB dials would
>be at least as common as the other SCR-274N dials.

It would be interesting to know just how much use was made of the ZB/YG type of homing system by the USAAF.  I also think that it wasn't very common, and that it was likely to have seen use only in the Pacific Theater where vast amounts of water separate the few similar looking islands, only one of which has the airfield that the pilot is seeking.  The short-lived "star" JAN nomenclatures that were used (*R-1/ARR-1, *AT-5/ARR-1, etc.) indicated that the equipment was intended for use among the allied nations (or "United Nations" as it was then sometimes expressed).  For some reason, I tend to associate that with a potential for use in the European Theater.

Regardless of how rarely used, it seems that the USAAF acquired a tremendous quantity of these AN/ARR-1 sets.  Most of the R-1/ARR-1 units and all of the AT-5/ARR-1 antennas that I've ever seem have Signal Corps order numbers.  It also appears that a large number of the BCB BC-946-B sets were made, all with FT-310-A power adapter.  The sole reason for the existence of the late-arriving BC-946-B was to serve with the R-1/ARR-1.

I acquired my BC-946-B NIB, and I know of another fellow who acquired his in the same condition.  They both came with the FT-310-A, and manual.  It would seem logical for the MC-415 dial to be included in the same package, but apparently it was not.  It is interesting to receive report of the existence of at least two of these dials.  Now I know that it is not mythological!

Having the Signal Corps marked AN/ARR-1 components along with my three-receiver, two-transmitter SCR-274-N adds an interesting aspect to the whole collection.

Mike / KK5F