[ARC5] [Milsurplus] ASV radar for a PBY

Wed Mar 9 19:04:38 EST 2022

Hello Bill and Ray,

Thanks for the reply and the link. I came across that photo mentioning that
this was the transmitting antenna. It looks just like the Rebecca antenna
which I understand was derived  from the British ASV. The trouble is I have
looked at lots of period PBY photos and this antenna cannot be seen above
the cockpit in any of them. 

Ray you mention that ASV was a term used in general for the surface vessel
type of radar. I see that in the "U.S. Radar - Operational Characteristics
of Available Equipment Classified by Tactical Application" that the sets are
all in this ASV group. I was thinking that ASV set referred to for this PBY,
that sank its first U-boat on August 20th, 1942, was the British ASV (MK
II?). I think this is because it was so early in the war that they had
modified this PBY with the British designed, Canadian or Philco built ASV
This has been pretty much confirmed today because we found evidence that
this PBY had a Sturba antenna array above the aft fuselage. Please correct
me if I am wrong but I believe that the British ASV used this array. I do
not think that other US radars used this array.

The airframe also shows the patches on the lower side of the wings where the
YAGI antennas were located. 

The PBY manual does have the ASB installed in later PBY's so it is possible
that this could have been a mod and installed in this particular early PBY
but the YAGI antennas typically used with the ASB do not show up in photos
of the early aircraft of the mid to late 1942 period. So far the remaining
airframe evidence on BuNo 2459 fits the British designed ASV, presumably Mk
II, radar.

Now the search for information on the ASV begins. I would like to find
anything to help identify what components were in the ASV Mk II and possibly
how it was installed so we can try to recreate this in 2459. Would any ASV
components be available? Size of the antennas and configuration would be
helpful to recreate it assuming no components can be located.

The Sturba array is quite impressive. I am not much of a radio guy so I do
not presume to understand how this antenna worked. There seem to be
insulators every 2 feet or so. Multiple vertical leads to the fuselage also
heavily insulated. Way above my pay grade.

Thanks in advance for any help with this worthy project.

Taigh

Taigh Ramey

Vintage Aircraft Inc.

7432 C.E.Dixon Street

Stockton, California 95206

(209) 982-0273

(209) 982-4832 Fax

 <http://www.twinbeech.com/> www.twinbeech.com

KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY!

From: Bill Strangfeld <bstrang at iac.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 8:52 AM
To: taigh at twinbeech.com
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] ASV radar for a PBY

Hi,

You probably know about this Wiki photo of ASV Mk II antennas but in case
you don't:

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ASV_Mk_II_front_transmitter_antenn
a_on_Consolidated_Canso.png#mw-jump-to-license

Good luck with your difficult search. 

I don't have any ASV parts but if you know anyone who needs a transmit
antenna for the Mk IV airborne radar (the one with two V dipoles), there is
one in my garage. Like the center photo below.  I think the Mk IV was called
SCR-540 in the US and was used on P-70s and on PV-1 Hudsons, but that info
is just from the Wiki.

Regards,

Bill

bstrang45 at icloud.com <mailto:bstrang45 at icloud.com> 

From:

<taigh at twinbeech.com <mailto:taigh at twinbeech.com> >
Date: March 8, 2022 at 11:09:28 AM EST
To: <Vintage-Military-RADAR at yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Vintage-Military-RADAR at yahoogroups.com> >
Cc: 'ARC5' <Arc5 at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Arc5 at mailman.qth.net> >,
"'milsurplus at mailman'" <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
<mailto:milsurplus at mailman.qth.net> >
Subject: [Milsurplus] ASV radar for a PBY

Hello,

I am helping the American Heritage Museum with their PBY restoration. This
PBY, Bureau Number 3459, has amazing history from WWII. It was the first PBY
to sink a U-boat on August 20th, 1942 and is also has the highest number of
U-boats sank with 3 to its credit.

The goal is to restore it to the configuration it had on the August 20th
mission. I learned today (from the battle report) that it had ASV radar
installed when it sank that first U-boat. 

I know it is a pipe dream but would anyone know if any ASV radar components
are available? I am also trying to collect any photos showing the ASV
installation in a PBY. Anything might help.

The other area we are trying to learn more about is the antenna
configuration for the ASV. The PBY tech manuals show the ASB in later
Catalinas but nothing so far on the ASV. Would you know of any technical
manuals for the ASV that we could get copies of? Sometimes they show
installations and antenna configurations.

Is there an ASV guru out there that I could talk to?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Taigh

Taigh Ramey

Stockton Field Aviation Museum

7430 C.E.Dixon Street

Stockton, California 95206

(209) 982-0273

(209) 534-4466 mobile

(209) 982-4832 Fax

KEEP 'EM FLYING...FOR HISTORY!

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