[ARC5] Radios at Midway

[Mike Morrow]

>Squadron Signal publication on the SBD shows a nice photo of the
>radio and it has RU/GF and LM tucked in forward of the gunner.

I suspect such a photo would not accurately reflect the normal radio
installation on front-line aircraft.  Every photo that I can recall
in my Squadron Signal books for relatively large USN aircraft with a
radio operator (like the SBD) showed a GP as the transmitter, forward
of the radio operator/gunner.  The associated RU was shown, plus usually
a ZB or DU.

The 1943 document at http://aafradio.org/docs/Navy-radio-gear-1943.pdf
shows only the GP in SBDs.  It would be hard to imagine why a GF would
be installed in place of the GP, unless it was some sort of second-line
aircraft when the photo was taken.  This document lists the GF as the
only transmitter on board smaller single-crewman F2A, F3F, F4F, F4U, and
similar aircraft.

Mike / KK5F