Yes, flameproof in fuel vapor situations.  But also good for avoiding some of the 'potential' bites on cathode keyed older rigs!

On Sun, Jun 11, 2023 at 8:08 AM Michael Hanz <[email protected]> wrote:

Once more with the picture...

On 6/11/2023 8:07 AM, Michael Hanz wrote:

Along with KK5F's excellent coverage of this key, perhaps a photo of an original Bendix MT-11B might be useful.  Sure looks like the 26003 family.

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

-- 
Michael Hanz - KC4TOS

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