[ARC5] [Milsurplus] RU/RAT/RAV/RAX vs. GO, 1939 and Later

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Morrow
>> Assuming the GO-4, -5 & -6 plus the RAT(-1) & RAV were considered
complete
>> systems, this would cover the latter case.
> I don't think the RAT/RAT-1 can be considered a "complete" system.

Mike, Mike, Mike, what am I ever gonna do with you?  :-)

Let me quote from my message: "This will be way simplistic so don't shoot me
if I gloss over details and stuff.  It's a quick scene-setting sketch not an
in depth review and, worse, the history part is from memory and we all know
what shape my mind's in.  :-D"

It's pretty well assumed that the RAT and RAT-1 weren't stand alone systems.
The implication was the GO-4, -5 and -6 with the *RU plus the RAT(-1)* or
with the RAV as being complete liaison systems.  

> It could be postulated that some RAT/RAT-1 sets may have been used
stand-alone,
> but AFAIK there's never been a reason discovered why that would have
happened.

That's kind of why I left it at speculation rather than anything more
concrete.  :-)

> It is hard to imagine a role for a stand-alone RAT/RAT-1
> if a stand-alone CG-46117 were available (unless the RAT's 12-vdc supply
made a
> difference).

Ah, you hit an interesting word, "if."  First off, I won't argue the point
that the RAX was a far better liaison receiver.  It was, hands down.
However, we went into the war with a fair number of 12v aircraft and it
wasn't until 1942 that they started being produced with 24v systems.  By
that time, the RAX was in full production and, not counting the SCR-274-N
and ARA/ATA, no additional 24v ARC equipment (RAT-1, RAV) was needed.  It's
interesting to note that the contracts for the RAT-1, RAV and RAX all
predate that so plans were probably already afoot to move in that direction.


However, as I recall, British aircraft were 12v through the war and the RAT
would work nicely with them.  Just sayin', y'know?  :-)

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
Share and Enjoy!
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!