[ARC5] Radios in the Movies

[Mike Morrow]

Wayne wrote:

> I saw the 1971 film "Vanishing Point" for the first time last weekend.
> In views of the radio station where Clevon Little was making his
> announcements, what I guess was supposed to be the station engineer's
> control board had a WWII ADF control box.

For a recurring appearance of an ADF control box, just watch any episode of the 1966-68 BATMAN TV series.  Any scene with the Bat Cave's Bat Computer panel will show a BC-434-* control box for the SCR-269-* ADF.
 
> In the original Flight of the Phoenix in the rear of the cockpit there
> was a couple of 274-N transmitters, an ART-13 and a BC-348.

There is what appears to be a Stewart-Warner T-47A/ART-13 and its calibration book, but minus the control settings chart and the MT-284/ART-13 shock mounting base.

The receiver appears to be a BC-348-Q (J or N is possible but less likely).  It has a Canadian modifications record in upper right panel corner.  It also lacks its FT-154-* mounting.

To the left...with an embarrassed look on its face for not knowing why it is there...sits one command transmitter, but it is not SCR-274-N.  It is obviously AN/ARC-5, with the blue instruction plate in the lower left panel corner and the white lower half of the inductor roller position indication.  The transmitter is setting by itself on the shelf, minus any mounting rack, minus any associated receiver.

It looks like the prop department for this 1965 film just got a small load of gear from Fair Radio, without bothering with any accessories.  The movie itself acknowledges this...a sign on the port side of the aircraft warns "BEWARE OF PROPS".

This movie is in the category of reasonably good...better than the radio installation anyway.  Thanks to Jimmy Stewart.

Mike / KK5F