[ARC5] Re: 1940 Aircraft Radio Prices

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Morrow" <kk5f at earthlink.net>
Subject: [Milsurplus] Re: [ARC5] 1940 Aircraft Radio Prices


> BTW, I have a manual for this contract of the SCR-274-N, 
> and it's interesting to compare to later revisions.  
> There were yet no BC-696-A (3 to 4 mc transmitter...

As an "aside" for the serious collectors out there (like me :)-
The BC-696 didn't come along until after the 1470-NY-41,
1509-NY-41, 6375-NY-41 and 293-PHILA-42 orders.
A.R.C. never made one, 
so you won't find a 1470-NY-41 BC-696.
A first-run BC-696 will be W.E., black painted with a small
nomenclature plate affixed to the top cover (no order number)
with Phillips sheet metal screws, like those you see on the
sides of later units.  You will also note mounting holes
for the earlier, bigger plates.  I'll send a photo to 
anyone interested.

I wish there were some way I could visit the archives;
I'd delight in digging-out the reason for little details 
like this.  Until that day, I can only speculate.
My money says some brass hat in the Army in 1940 decided
"we don't need to talk to those stupid civilians on 3105 KC.
We'll just talk to Army Airways and save money." 
With Washington (and London, for that matter)
full of "Navy-lovers" (pols are always looking to fight the last war),
the Army was used to cutting corners to save a nickle.
I'd guess that later, they decided maybe being able to use 
civilian facilities for the suddenly-larger Air Corps 
might be a good idea, and ordered the BC-696.
73 Dave S.