[ARC5] Was NASM B-26

[Robert Eleazer]

In the B-26B Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions (revised 30 April 1945 edition) the SCR-274-N is called "the pilot's radio" and for the Liaison set, the radio operator is advised to "Read the manual for the equipment."  Of the SCR-522 there is no mention, which is rather curious.

I believe I have mentioned here before an interesting finding relative to operations in Burma.  Support of the Chindits and Merrill's Marauders in Burma was heavily dependant on both supply by airdrop and direct close air support.  The RAF had gone over to the SCR-522 in the theater and could not talk to the ground forces in the combat area - so they did not rely on forward air controllers, instead briefing their pilots what targets to hit.  The P-51A's that the USAAF Air Commandos were equipped with came with SCR-274-N, could talk to the ground forces, and used the then-radical approach of actually asking the ground troops what they needed to have bombed and strafed.  This approach later was adopted in Europe, using SCR-522's on jeeps and employing fighter pilots to do the talking.  

I wonder if these differing approaches were based mainly on a lack of a suitable backpack VHF radio and how much was an Air Force fear that the ground troops would misuse airpower if allowed to direct it specifically.

Wayne     

I think I have mentioned