[ARC5] WWII Aircraft Antenna AN-104-series

[Taigh Ramey]

When I first got started with the Flying Heritage Collection this kind of
detail was not given any thought. I was excited that I was able to have the
resources and backing of Paul Allen to establish standards of restorations
that had never before been achieved. My goal was simple; document and
restore to the same standards used at the factory. The proof was in the
research which was the real fun part. Spending a week at a time at National
Archives researching the material required for each restoration was
exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. By the end of the week my eyes
would not focus on anything further than arms length and my pea sized brain
actually ached...but what fun!

Sadly the management at that time took advantage of Mr. Allen's money and
went wild on spending. This soured Mr. Allen and made him question the
validity of the whole project. They have been through many new managers
since and the future of the Flying Heritage Collection does not look good as
far as the authenticity is concerned. Last I heard all of my research
material was lost or was never put to its intended use. Thankfully a few
restorations have been completed to the high standards originally
established. I don't think that the rest will see that level of quality
unless the new management appreciates the groundwork that has already been
established. It doesn't take much more in dollars or resources to make a
truly authentic restoration once you have the research material in place. It
still takes the same amount of effort to restore an aircraft the difference
comes into play when you use the correct paints, plating, materials and
processes. These differences can be seen in the photos on the web page. Even
the cloth covered wire was braided to match the pattern on the wire found in
the P-47D 40 from the factory. 

To me the details are what make all the difference. When you look at the
finished product and your eye is not drawn to something that is out of place
it is like you are truly looking into the past. That also gets me all giddy.


Like Mike Hanz putting the tubes into a jammer for the Enola Gay that have
the correct dates stamped on them appropriate to the manufacture of the
radio. He also found the correct disc type of recorded that was used to
record the interphone conversations on the August 6th mission to Hiroshima.
If the original recording shows up he will have a disc cut to reproduce that
recording and it will be put back in the Enola Gay. I love this kind of
detail even though very few people will ever know about or appreciate it.

Enough rambling...

Taigh
 
Taigh Ramey
Proprietor, Vintage Aircraft
7432 C.E.Dixon Street
Stockton, California 95206
(209) 982-0273
(209) 982-4832 Fax
www.twinbeech.com
KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY!
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Todd, KA1KAQ [mailto:ka1kaq at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 7:34 AM
To: Taigh Ramey
Subject: Re: [ARC5] WWII Aircraft Antenna AN-104-series

On 1/3/07, Taigh Ramey <taigh at twinbeech.com> wrote:
> Great thread on the AN-104! It is the little things that get me all
> giddy...I think I need to see a doctor...
>
> I posted a few shots on a web page showing the AN-104 installation in a
> P-47D, P-51D and a Beech 3NM. I hope this helps to answer some of your
> questions about the mounting. I have also seen a block type of mount used
> with stiffeners added to the structure. I will try and find a shot of that
> as well.
>
> The metal of the AN-104 was mounted above the skin as you suggested and I
> have seen special molded rubber seals around it to keep the water out. I
> have also seen a Permatex type of sealant used.
>
> Try this:  http://www.twinbeech.com/radio.htm

Nice shots as always, Taigh. It's so refreshing to see such a nice
restoration, and to also see that they included the original radio
gear and system in their work. There is certainly hope for the future!

Nice shots of the Howard, too! I have to confess, I was drooling at
the picture of the radio gear and thinking 'those look like ARA/ATA
tags' before reading the text. The fact that it's a 'found in barn'
story makes it that much more enjoyable.

Thanks for sharing -

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ