[ARC5] GF-11

[David Stinson]

I don't have my notes or books with me right now, 
but will do my best from memory until I can get to them. 
This will lack some early details- especially dates- for now:
In 1931, Aircraft Radio Corporation was tasked to develop 
a dedicated military application of their successful "Model D"
system, including a transmitter.  The receiver became the 
Navy's set "RU."  If the receiver's companion transmitter 
was included, the Navy designated the set "GF."  
These were built in testing and typing quantities in 1932,
after which the Navy redesignated them seperately
as GF (transmitter) and RU (receiver) and the combined
set produced as GF-1/RU-(3?).  This early set had much
lower power output that the later ones.  A.R.C. provided
the same set to the Army Air Corps, which designated it
SCR-AA-183.  The next generation GF and SCR-183
repaired a design flaw in the transmitter coil set along with
other issues.  Somewhere around GF-3 or GF-5,
the Navy had A.R.C. completely overhaul the transmitter
design, resulting in greater power out and easier maintenance.
The Army, without the budget for "fiddling around" the pols-
with their dreams of old battleship sea actions- had given
to the Navy, stuck with the GF-2 improvements and
continued buying the SCR-183 / -283 design right 
into the first year of WWII.

Both of these set saw long and distinguished service 
before and right through WWII in many applications, 
including in combat.  
I have photographs of a Marine Corps fighter from 
Midway with three "kill marks" which is equipped 
with GF/RU.  General Doolittle's "Raid on Tokyo"
B-25 bombers were outfitted with SCR-283.
A wreck of a "Flying Tigers" P-40 has been 
recovered and is currently in Thiland.  I have emails to
the museum that owns the wreck, requesting they confirm 
that this aircraft was equipped with SCR-183.

Production of full sets of GF/RU adn SCR-183 ended 
by the first year of the war.  It was supplanted by 
production of our favorites, commonly (and incorrectly) 
known as "ARC-5."
It's a real shame that the collection community 
never gave GF/RU and SCR-183 serious attention.  
They were great advancements in radio for aircraft. 
One could make a case that GF/RU and SCR-183
contributed longer honorable service 
than either ATA/ARA or SCR-274N.  
Not counting the "range receiver" left-overs, 
AN/ARC-5 might have seen as long service, 
but it would be close.

A hook-up diagram for GF-11 is at:
http://home.netcom.com/~arc5/gfru/GF-11.jpg

Manuals are available from Robert, WA5CAB,
and several other reputable dealers.

Hope this helps.

73 Dave AB5S