Bendix was into the radio scene as soon as aircraft became more than a curiosity. The early aircraft apparently reeked of gasoline fumes on a *good* day, and an open telegraph key that could potentially initiate a spark upon key make or release wasn't a good idea. Even later, a bullet or shell through a wing could provide a dousing or at least gasoline vapor throughout the cockpit. The term 'flameproof' seems a bit odd, except in the context of not lighting a flame in a fuel rich environment. This in aircraft that had cigarette ashtrays in every plane... 😁
- Mike KC4TOS
On 6/10/2023 1:43 PM, Mike Morrow wrote:
From the NAVSHIPS 900,109 Navy Type Number book of September 1945, the following information is provided on the four nt-26003* keys:
CN-26003 GM CN-G-115
KEY-TELEGRAPH
FLAME-PROOF
INSULATED FRAME.
05/03/33
-26003A GO RE 26F 111
HAND TELEGRAPH KEY: (NAF #37153)
FLAME PROOF,
INSULATED FRAME.
KNOB OF LAMINATED MATERIAL SPEC. 17-P-5 TYPE-PBM.
10/11/33
CME-26003B VA-1 GRE 26J 1154A
KEY, TELEGRAPH
FLAME-PROOF
(SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPONENTS)
01/06/38
CME-26003C VA-2 & VB-1 GRE 26J 1156A
KEY, TELEGRAPH
FLAME-PROOF
SAME AS -26003B EXCEPT FOR LARGER TERMINAL TUBE FOR ARMORED CABLE
10/04/39
Note that nt-26003 is associated with transmitter GM, and that nt-26003A is associated with transmitter GO.
nt-26003B is associated with visual signaling equipment VA-1, and that nt-26003C is associated with visual signaling equipment VA-2 and VB-1.
This key is my favorite military key. I have owned five that were pulled from USN patrol aircraft being scrapped that had AN/ARC-25 (AN/ART-13 with AN/ARR-15A), AN/ARC-38, AN/ARC-38A, or AN/ARC-94 HF radio sets installed. ALL.were nt-26003A keys. At least one had the two-minute key-down caution.
Mike / KK5F