[ARC5] FW: C-47 radio "Island in the Sky"

[Mike Morrow]

Steve wrote:

> ...Here is another flying example, the Navy R4D
> "Ready 4 Duty" of the Dallas/ Fort Worth CAF wing.
> Collins ART-13, BC 348, Marker beacon and frequency meter
> over to the right...
> http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc292/ke5o/IMG_2423.jpg

Sorry, but it provokes some questions from me.

Normally, the marker beacon receiver would be located low in
the aircraft near where the MB antenna lead came through the
aircraft belly.  Putting it in the radio operator position
would needlessly clutter that position with an equipment with
no controls needing operator adjustment anytime.

I have never seen those orange BC-765 IFF manual destruct
push buttons located anywhere but in the pilots' cockpit.  It
is inconceivable they would be located where they are shown,
as if they were controls needing frequent attention, in the
position as shown, blocking the instructions printed on the
side.

The T-17-* microphone displayed at a liaison set operating
position gives one pause as well.

Is this aircraft one that was originally an R4D?  Aircraft
built as R4Ds had a very distinctive almost mid-1930s style of
cockpit very different from that used by the USAAF.  I believe
that an AN/ARC-8 would only be found in a USN aircraft that had
been originally a USAAF C-47.

Mike / KK5F