[Milsurplus] Harvey Wells AR-5A Military Aircraft (History/Info)

[C Whitaker]

de WB2CPN                    2004.10.23

My experience with Control Towers and other
air traffic control facilities 1950 - 1966
encountered different methods of recording
voice transmissions.  During 1951 I saw a
few recorders that used a 35 MM plastic endless
tape that used a metal stylus.  Later on the
Dictaphone (tm) was found in many control
towers.  It used a wide plastic band.  Then
Magnacord (tm) introduced a multichannel
recorder to the USAF.  It was standard for
towers and RAPCON's in the late 50's and
early 60's.  The last I saw was the RD-115
and the RD-92, both of which placed lateral
magnetic tracks on 3-inch wide tape.  We
didn't think anything about their future
value to the world.  In fact, there's no
point in retaining a recorded media unless
the play back equipment is also retained.

73  Clete