[ARC5] RME As Aircraft Radio (?!?)

[Mike Hanz]

Agree it seems highly unlikely for this particular receiver, and 
certainly not in a fighter.  On the other hand, 1942 was a period of a 
certain amount of desperation for U.S. surveillance activities.  Despite 
excellent receivers like the BC-348, RAX-1, etc., a bit of substitution 
took place in that year for general coverage requirements until military 
versions became more commonplace.  A good example is the Hallicrafters 
SX-28 and S-27 receivers that were used in the countermeasures program.  
The clue for aircraft mounting would be the presence of two #8 holes at 
the bottom left and bottom right of the front panel, where the retaining 
hook for a modified ARINC 404 (ATR) shock mount would be attached to the 
stock receiver for retention by thumbscrew nuts on the shock mount.  I 
don't see any of these holes on the receiver or preselector, though, and 
of course the speaker would be inaudible in any WWII combat aircraft 
that I'm aware of.  There is a good example of the SX-28 and S-27 in an 
aircraft at http://aafradio.org/flightdeck/early.htm

73,
Mike

On 11/15/2012 12:54 PM, Todd, KA1KAQ wrote:
> On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 11:49 AM, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> One would suspect that the claim made in the auction item description that
>> it is a
>> "Shortwave radio, amplifier and speaker from 1936 removed from a US
>> fighter in 1942"
>> is a bit doubtful.
> A BIT?? This receiver is a home/amateur receiver from the mid 30s, in no
> way compatible or even desirable for aircraft use. The DB-20 is required
> for acceptable reception above 18-20mc.
>
> Could've possibly been used as a ground station receiver, but it would've
> been in one of those 'this or nothing' situations. These things were
> rapidly outpaced by the Super Pro, HRO, etc. well prior to the war.
>
> Definitely a funny read. Looks like it's been buggered up with an
> additional switch as well as some well-intentioned polishing of the painted
> brass dials that were never meant to be shiny beyond the raised numerals.
> Appears to have been oversprayed or wiped with a new coat of black paint,
> too.