[ARC5] USAF usage of the A.R.C. R-22 BCB receiver

Sat Mar 9 19:03:59 EST 2024

The AIM-4 Falcon was, I believe the first operational A-A missile, and not particularly effective, I can recall MT ANG F-106s be ing uploaded with AIR-2 (MB-1) Genies up until they retired the 106s in 1986.  I think the Falcons 

Were retired earlier, I assume they were replaced with some other conventional high yield AAM, maybe the Sparrow?  (I think the Genies were retired with the F-106).  My lovely wife Sharon was lucky enough to get a ride in a Montana F-106B back in 1985.  She was the first female boom operator in the USAF and went on to logging over 11,000 hours in the KC-135. She has refueled just about every USAF aircraft that was air re-fuel able, except for the F-35, as she finally had to retire!

Scott 

From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net <arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Doran Platt
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2024 16:08
To: ARC-5 List <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ARC5] USAF usage of the A.R.C. R-22 BCB receiver

The F-106A and B carried two AIM-4E and two AIM-4F Missiles. One pair IR homing and one pair Radar homing. If also uploaded, a nuclear AIR-2A was an area weapon used for formations of targets.  The TSD, tactical situation display, sat between your legs fwd of the rams horn stick. Loaded with updated 35mm filmstrip and input from SAGE ground stations it would provide a moving map, target orientation, and course info for the desired attack format, offset or direct course. In the early 60's, project Red Glow added an IR tracker that was integrated into the radar display. Its that little bump just ahead of the canopy. Birds were either on 5 min or 15 min alert status. 

Jeep K3HVG. 

On 03/09/2024 5:24 PM EST scottjohnson1 at cox.net <mailto:scottjohnson1 at cox.net>  wrote: 

The F-86L was by 1959 primarily an ADC asset mostly operated by northern tier ANG units.  It was designed for quick intercept of the Big Bear and was ultimately replaced by the near ideal interceptor, the F-106.  The F-86L operated under the SAGE network, and had to get in pretty close to use its tray of FFARs to knock down a bomber.  The F-106 could simply “flock shoot” with is Genie nuclear tipped, unguided missile.  I would question whether the F-106 would survive such an attack.  Unfortunately, the friend I hoped to talk to about the R-22 passed about six months ago, so I’m no smarter than before.

Scott W7SVJ

From:  <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net> arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net < <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net> arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Doran Platt
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2024 13:40
To: ARC-5 List < <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net> arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ARC5] USAF usage of the A.R.C. R-22 BCB receiver

Given that the '86L was a CONUS interceptor in the 50's, and that they, I believe, has no HF capability.. could they have been used to receive Conelrad or other GCI type transmissions?  Coming from an ADC background, in the early 50's, SAGE was primitive. In the late 50's into the 60's and later, with  integrated TSD, etc., true ground-directed target engagement was possible.  That said, our U-6A (nee L-20) Beaver had a Type 12 setup with both the LF and BCB receivers and the loop. Of course the coffee-grinder VHF VOR/LOC/Comms, too. 

Jeep K3HVG

On 03/09/2024 1:19 PM EST Jack Antonio <scr287 at att.net <mailto:scr287 at att.net> > wrote:

First, when I say A.R.C. I am referring to the Aircraft Radio

Corporation, *not* the JAN AN/ARC designations.

There was some discussion about 4 years ago, of this receiver, and

why the USAF wanted to purchase them. And I've seen no answer to

the question, just some speculation. Until now.

The R-22 was a late 50s Type 12 receiver that specifically covered

the AM broadcast band from 530 to 1600 kHz. It used an A.R.C. C-57

control head.

Over on the Army-Radios list, a gentleman from Europe asked about

this receiver, and posted some scans from the Pilots Manual for

the F-86L Sabre. And the R-22 was a part of the avionics for this

aircraft. Yes, no mistake.

The pilots manual states that the receiver is not for navigation, but

is used to monitor the AM broadcast band.

The F-86L was the F-86D Sabre Dog, with upgrades to work with the

SAGE system.

So why would an F-86L interceptor pilot need to monitor the AM broadcast

band? Is there any documentation out there that explains this?

Jack Antonio

WA7DIA

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