[Milsurplus] USN: ARB receiver used with GP-7 transmitter?

[Mike Morrow]

Jack wrote:

>One example, concerning the SCR-269 and its dual controls.
>Mostly I see pictures showing the installation of the dual
>controls at the navigators and pilots position. But one account
>I read of a newbie 8th AF navigator,  related how the radio operator
>took the bearings on the beacons. So how widespread was this? Did
>units decide for themselves how and what equipment was to be installed?


I think that this was normal in the smaller two engine USAAF bombers .  I
have a B-26 flight manual that shows the second BC-434 ADF control box and
the large I-82 bearing indicator mounted at the radio operator's position.
That is official documentation which fully agrees with your report.  (Did
the 8th AAF fly any two-engine bombers?)  I don't have any info on the
similar-sized B-25 but I wouldn't be surprised to see the same arrangement.
I've not seen anything to show this arrangment was ever used on the B-17
and -24 aircraft.

I suppose it had more to do with space availablity than crew personal
preference.

>So, I don't think a GP/ARB setup would be inappropriate at all. I have an
>almost complete ARB set(anyone have the "Pull for Control" linkage?) and
>would like to find a mating transmitter for it, and would certainly
consider
>a GP as a likely candidate.


The problem with the GP is providing the 800 Hz AC power that it uses.
.It's a lot nicer to have everything running off of 28 vdc.  But I agree
that an ARB would seem to be a much better receiver for a GP-7 transmitter
than the RU.  I wonder how many new GP installations were being made by the
time the ARB showed up.

How about an ATC or ART-13 with your ARB?  It's much easier to find all the
needed components.  As Dave mentions, the ARC-5 manual AN 16-30ARC5-2 has
system diagrams for using the ARB with the ART-13.  You'd want an original
ATC or T-47/ART-13 (not a USAAF "A" version) for the USN installation.  Of
course, if you wire it up "officially" you'd have to come up with rarities
like the J-17A/ARC-5 junction box.

The USN never did have a receiver that matched the capability of the ART-13
until the ARR-15 came along post war.  I wonder if there was ever a USN
1940-era design proposal for a receiver (pre-ARR-15) that matched the
frequency range and remote control features of the ART-13 that was being
developed at that time.  After all, the ATA had the ARA, and the ATB was
supposed to go with the ARB.  What receiver was going to match the ATC?  I
doubt that anyone had anything in mind in 1940 that looked like the ARR-15.

The best airborne HF set of the war, IMO, was the USAAF's AN/ARC-8 which
matched the best transmitter (the USAAF's slightly improved ART-13A) with
the best receiver (BC-348) fielded by anyboby anywhere (as long as remote
receiver control wasn't needed).

73,
Mike / KK5F