[ARC5] [Milsurplus] SCR-183 and -283 junction boxes

[Mike Hanz]

On 8/24/2011 12:24 AM, Kludge wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Hanz [mailto:aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org]
>> For the SCR-183 and -283 sets there is quite a bit of latitude.
> The custom box you show is kind of what I had in mind although with slightly
> different proportions.  I'm guessing that doesn't really matter so long as
> it fits.  I hadn't planned on a hinged cover or Dzus fasteners but rather
> one held on by machine screws and attached to the box with a length of
> chain.  Each is fairly easy to come by so that shouldn't be an issue.

Junction boxes were made with sometimes surprising materials and with a 
variety of hardware.  Crawling through the Enola Gay, I've even ran into 
a fair number of *plywood* junction boxes on this newest and most 
complex type of aircraft made in 1945 - I placed a photo of one at the 
bottom of http://aafradio.org/flightdeck/Peripherals-misc.html for those 
interested.  I have no idea what decision process determined that a box 
might be made from plywood versus aluminum...not sure there was a 
standard procedural one.

Using a typical airframe junction box does help in another way - it 
eliminates the need to find a bunch of rare connectors.  The ends of the 
cables can be attached to the side of the box by nipples that, while not 
completely authentic, can be found at just about any large electrical 
supply dealer.  Add some vinyl covered flex conduit painted black with 
vinyl paint from the local auto supply (or stainless braided washing 
machine hose for early USAAC/USAAF radios), and the installation will 
look pretty close from a visual perspective.

73,
Mike