[ARC5] Radio Equipment installed in Grumman F6F-3 at NMNA

[J. Forster]

Fascinating. Many thanks.

I'd love pics of the hydraulics for the ASB-5 antennas and the mounts for
the ASB-5 indicators.

There is a YouTube video that shows them but I'd no idea their actuation
was hydraulic. I thought it was cables.

BTW, Will Donzelli had (and maybe still has) almost complete NIB ASB-5s.
He did not have the receivers last time I checked.

Also, the later versions of the Power Control Panel had a blanking plate
over the meter hole.

Could you also take a look and see what type cable was used for the
roughly RG-8 size RF connections?

Best,

-John

===================


> Group,
>
> The F6F-3 (an early model, quite rare: most common is F6F-5), the SBD-3
> also in our shop, and the SBD-5 completed last November were all recovered
> from Lake Michigan.  This F6F-3 made a hard landing, hit the barrier, and
> ended up hanging over the side by its tailhook.  After the pilot was
> rescued, the aircraft was cut loose to drop into the lake.  I think it was
> down about 200 feet or so.  When we received it, the engine's  magnesium
> gear case was corroded away so it fell off the engine as we moved it into
> position for pressure washing.  After removal of the engine and mount, we
> stood it on a firewall support platform which has casters for moving the
> now vertical airframe around the shop.  This is the position for cleaning
> and removal of components using portable work platforms.  When necessary
> we can position the airframe in its normal position by rotating it
> parallel to the ground.  At this time the engine cowling is nearly
> complete, an engine replacement found, the fin has
>   been recreated (it was missing), and half of the stabilizer rebuilt.
> The cockpit instrument panels and most easily accessed items have been
> removed.  The damaged folding outer wing panels are at a specialized
> fabricator being rebuilt.
>
> In regard to the ASB installations on the two SBD-5 aircraft:  both had
> the underwing 5-element YAGI antennas in place on both outer wing panels.
> The hydraulic levers for rotating the antennas in azimuth were still in
> the rear cockpit and the coax cables from the baggage compartment (where
> the ASB equipment mounts were located) through each wing to the antennas
> were present.  This hydraulic system was a "trapped" system not unlike a
> brake system so the gunner /radar operator could manually aim the antennas
> at a target.  I was disappointed that none of our SBD-5's had any ASB
> units except for one that did have the Power Control Box.  This was about
> 6 by 8 inches in size with a panel meter in the upper center along with
> switches, indicating lamps, and fuses mounted below.  We restored this
> unit cosmetically including creating a meter face, touching up the paint,
> and cleaning it inside.  Despite being in deep water for 60 years it was
> in remarkable condition.
>
> I think that about covers the questions so far.
> John W4THQ
>
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