[ARC5] Interesting Dynamotor

[Mike Morrow]

Dave wrote:

> Ebay item 251114287982.
>
> Note the U.S. Army Order Number, Contract Number,
> "ZBX" marking, and DY-2/ARR-2 designation.

   http://www.ebay.com/itm/251114287982

This item seems to tell a story.  The early DY-2/ARR-2
(rather than the common DY-2A/ARR-2) is seldom encountered,
plus the 1943 order number seems an early example of the
JAN nomenclature system.

The Western Electric make and the ZBX stamp would associate
nicely with WECO's innovative R-4/ARR-2.

And finally, it suggests that the USAAF was evaluating
not only the ZB-* (AN/ARR-1), but also the AN/ARR-2.  I
suspect that such use was envisioned for the Pacific, but
the auction item is in the UK.  It is well documented that
on B-29s the USAAF used the AN/ARR-1 feeding into the
AN/ARN-7 ADF.  It's less clear that the USAAF ever used the
AN/ARR-1 with the BC-946-B BCB receiver that was designated
for it.  It would be interesting to know if the AN/ARR-2 was
used by the USAAF in any regular service aircraft.  I've
never seen any mention of it.

Interesting indeed what a seemingly common item like a 
command set dynamotor's markings can suggest.

Mike / KK5F