[ARC5] Command sets corrosion of aluminum

[gordon white]

    The Navy subjected its Command Sets to all sorts of tests including 
salt spray (since they were going to be used in a marine environment) 
and that was at least part of the reason for the black wrinkle paint. 
The Army gear I have that was produced before 1942 was also black 
wrinkle, but apparently when Western Electric took over most of the Army 
Air Corps production they began cutting corners where they could. 
Painting apparently slowed production, so was eliminated, thus the bare 
aluminum. I have no idea whether the bare aluminum was tested for 
corrosion, or had different specs from that to be painted. I suppose the 
Army figured the life expectancy of an SCR-274N set in a B-17 was likely 
to be too short to worry much about corrosion.


     The alloy has a marked effect on the susceptibility to corrosion.  
Which reminds me of the situation Grumman got into at the end of WW II. 
Having literally tons of surplus aluminum sheet on hand, they 
brainstormed ideas for civilian uses their plant on Long Island could be 
put to. A bright employee suggested making canoes of aluminum, which 
they did. As we all realize, aluminum canoes are still popular. (Except  
for the Old Towne Canoe Co. that I suppose still makes canoes of 
traditional material)

     But when Grumman made canoes of the aluminum alloy used in 
aircraft, they soon corroded into junk. They continued to make canoes, 
but of a different alloy.

- Gordon White