[Milsurplus] Peeling paint - arresting the developement?

[Mike Hanz]

Unserviceable but Repairable wrote:

>Say you've got that RAT sn 5 that DStinson'd kill for.  The one
>with provenance it was given by ARC's cfo to Admiral Thunderputz
>as an "aid to contract evaluation."
>

This reminds me that it's about time for another data call for any 
existing RATs and RAT-1s out there.  SN 5 must have changed hands from 
the list below.

>But I digress.  Now say the identifying ink-stamps on the rear black 
>crackle are in grave danger since they've lifted from the chassis but 
>still cling to surrounding paint.
>

We've been using a product down at the new NASM museum for preservation 
like that - a clear, matte, surface fixative called Acryloid 
(www.conservationresources.com).  For a set in that condition, you need 
to put it on with an air brush set for as low a pressure as possible, 
though.  If you get to the museum sometime, you will note that the 
entire P-38J under the Enola Gay wing is preserved in its very rough 
condition using it.  There is no intent to ever restore it to like new 
condition - just preserve the original battered look.

>And, if lost, would reduce same to a groveling 20-27mcs ARA.
>

???    I assume this to be Cosmoline humor, since AFAIK the 20-27 only 
appeared as a RAT and RAV...  :-D

73,
Mike

Exisiting RAT and RAT-1 receivers

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Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (still pending data query):

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. ?, original control box serial no. ?

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. ?, original control box serial no. ?

Owner #1

RAT-1 13.5-20 receiver, serial number 14, non-original control box.

Owner #2

RAT 13.5-20 serial number 43 with original 14 volt dynamotor,
non-original control box

RAT-1 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 44, original control box serial no.
44 (This should theoretically be SN 87, given the peculiar 2n-1 and 2n
nomenclature counting scheme ARC used for these local control boxes.
That is to say that both SN 1 receivers would have SN 1 and 2 control
boxes, etc.)

RAT-1 20-27 receiver, serial no. 44, non-original control box

Owner #3

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 3, non-original control box

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. 5, non-original control box

RAT-1 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. ?, original control box serial
no. ?  (Pending recovery from storage)

RAT-1 20-27 receiver, serial no. ?, non-original control box (Pending
recovery from storage)

Owner #4

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 15, original control box serial no. 50

Owner #5

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. 23, original control box

Owner #6

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 41, original control box serial no. 31,
non-original dyno

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. 33, original control box serial no. 37,
non-original dyno

Rack and shock mount for above two receivers, serial number 41

Owner #7

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 13, original control box serial no. ?

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. 29, original control box serial no. ?

Owner #8

RAT 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. 28, original control box serial no. 55,
original dyno

RAT 20-27 receiver, serial no. 28, original control box serial no. 56,
original dyno

Rack and shock mount for above two receivers, serial number 28

(This is the only set I know of which has the serial numbers all matching.)

RAT-1 13.5-20 receiver, serial no. ?, original control box serial no. ?
(pending retrieval from storage)

Also, I found local control box serial number 5 referenced in an e-mail
sent to me.

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