[ARC5] [Milsurplus] ARC-5 Receiver Question

[match at ece.utah.edu]

On 18 Feb 2010 at 14:39, J. Forster wrote:

> I'm not so sure about your theory. ARC-5 were not really designed for
> local operation, but were designed to operate remotely, hence the control
> boxes and spline cables. Could someone flying the plane even see the sets?
> 
> -John

Good point, and I dunno.

They were operated remotely, as you say, but I THINK they were still visible 
on the rack. (I've never been in a WWII airplane that had them, so I can't 
make that claim with any authority) And, the techs still had to see the panel 
controls to set them up on the ground.

I should think that anything "shiny and reflective" would be a potentially 
dangerous distraction to the crew, even if they're not looking at the radios 
directly.

As well, I can't see Uncle Sam requiring (and paying for) the paint unless 
someone thought it necessary, despite the stories of $500 hammers and 
$300 toilet seats, and pretty isn't neccessary.

On the other hand, maybe the paint/no paint thing is a red herring. If I'm 
competing with 5 or 10 other manufacturers for a wartime contract, leaving 
the units unpainted might be just the edge I need to beat out the other guys, 
because I can deliver 10,000 of them for $10,000 less than anybody else. All 
I have to do is convince the guy who recieves them to accept them without 
paint.

Marvin
KA7TPH