I also have a CMI-26003A key. CMI is the code for Moulded Insulator Co. Bought it many years ago at a flea market. We also found one, same mfg, and an A model in the conning tower of the USS Ling, but it wasn’t hooked up to anything. I imagine those keys were nade by a bunch of manufacturers, including Bunnel, whose code was CJB. The key in the radio room of the sub was one with MG start and stop buttons for the TBL transmitter there, looked like a J-3X derivative. Non flameproof.
73, Howie WB2AWQ.
The navy flameproof in use here is markedCMI-26003A
This *may* be the key I have had since novice times - 1958.
Roy MorganK1LKY Western Mass
On Jun 10, 2023, at 2:24 PM, MARK DORNEY via ARC5 <[email protected]> wrote:
<image1.jpeg>
Three of my CW keys. Bottom two - USN “Flameproof” and USAAF “Flamproof”. Top is WW2 Luftwaffe “Flamproof.
Mark D.WW2RDO______________________________________________________________
“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “. - Thomas Jefferson
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On Jun 10, 2023, at 2:03 PM, MARK DORNEY <[email protected]> wrote:
Are you talking about the USAAF “fireproof” keys? I have one of each. The USAAF version is dated 1917.
Mark D.WW2RDO
“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “. - Thomas Jefferson
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 10, 2023, at 1:44 PM, Mike Morrow <[email protected]> wrote:
The ME was a 1927 receiver-transmitter built by Westinghouse operating 3 to 4 MHz A1. It pre-dates the 1931 Navy Type Number system, which assigns Class 43 to receiver-transmitters. The earliest Navy Type number CAY-43000 was assigned to the MF-2, 08/19/32.
I can find no information in SHIPS 242 about ME-1. As expected, there was no navy type number assigned to ME or ME-1.
I doubt that there was a key with type number assigned to the ME...too early for type numbers. I doubt that the Bendix MT-11B type of key existed in 1927.
From the NAVSHIPS 900,109 Navy Type Number book of September 1945, the followong 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______________________________________________________________
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