[ARC5] Pre-ARC-5 rigs.

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kenneth G. Gordon" <kgordon2006 at frontier.com>

> OK. So there were two "series" of pre-arc-5 equipments. I mean 
> like the
> BC-230-looking types.
>
> One was, of course, the SCR-182/283, and the other was, I 
> presume, the
> GF.
>
> As I understand it, they LOOK somewhat similar, but the GF was 
> more
> "capable" than the other.

Depends on how one defines "capable," Ken.
After the first couple of production runs in 1932-33,
the missions of the GF/RU and SCR-183/-283 diverged.
The RU was changed to provide the ability to serve
 in a Liaison role.   The GF was redesigned for sturdier
tubes and higher power to better fit its longer-range,
over-water mission.  The SCR-183/-283 fit its intended
mission of short-range Command/training/ferrying
and range flying.  Both gave successful service in approriate
deployment throughout WWII and even after.

> In fact, as I understand it, the GF was used in many smaller 
> Navy aircraft all
> through the war,
Indeed.  GF/RU Command was in most of the Navy aircraft
that fought at Midway (Yes; I have pictures).

>whereas the SCR-183/283 was "dumped" in favor of the
> SCR-274N series quite early on.

Not so.  Somewhere around her I have flight-line service
tags showing SCR-283 items being serviced in 1953.
Many aircraft were so equipped throughout the war.
There were many missions, especially "behind the lines,"
where SCR-183 / -283 fit the requirements.

Like the "VHF replaced the ARC-5s" myth that just-won't-die,
it's nearly always a mistake to assume a single point in time 
when
one servicable radio set was "removed and replaced" with another.
It was a very big war, with a lot of "mix and match" going on all
over the place.   Aircraft in service and doing daily jobs where
SCR-283 fulfilled their mission were not likely to be
pulled off-the-line to have a newer radio installed; those went
to the new-production aircraft.  The older aircraft kept 
their -283
until it failed unrepairable or the aircraft's mission changed.

I have a full post on the development of SCR-183 / -283
from 2011, if anyone is interested.

73 DE Dave AB5S