[Milsurplus] ARC-5 production data

[Mike Morrow]

John wrote:

>I'm thinking of trying to duplicate a system from the ARC-5
>manual (initially a Command system, perhaps growing into a
>Liaison system if a really nice ART-13A turns up)

I found that it was reasonably easy to acquire a NOS three-receiver, two-transmitter SCR-274-N set in aluminum finish.  I was not interested in racks for greater numbers of receivers and transmitters since I think there is little evidence that there was any significant use in the USAAF of installations of greater complexity.  I also acquired the remaining two transmitters in addition to those in the rack, since transmitters not in the rack were often stowed in the aircraft.  Also, I believe that the BC-946 BCB receiver was a rearly used item.  Definitely, the SCR-274-N is easiest to complete in every detail.  All I lack is the FT-225-A shock mount for the modulator.

I swore I'd never try to make an AN/ARC-5 collection, due to the large and bewildering array of related components and configurations.  But finally I couldn't resist putting together a three-receiver, two-transmitter AN/ARC-5 installation as shown in figure 10 of NAVAER 08-5Q-95.   In contrast to the SCR-274-N set in which all the components are similar, this consists of three entirely different receiver designs (R-4A/ARR-2 VHF homing, R-26/ARC-5 fixed tuned HF comms, R-28/ARC-5 VHF comms) and two entirely different transmitter designs (T-20/ARC-5 HF comms, T-23/ARC-5 VHF comms).  In this one set, one has all major non-prototype receiver and transmitter designs.  I also have the R-23, 25, and 27 and the T-18, 19, 21, 22 units as plug-ins for this.  Some ARC-5 stuff is very hard to get.  I'm still looking for the special 12 and 18-pin ARC-5 connectors, a decent MT-65 (using a FT-220 as fill-in) and most of the shock mounts.

To build some of the liason configurations shown in the ARC-5 manuals, you'll really need to come up with some rare stuff like the J-17A/ARC-5 junction box.

BTW, I've found no references documenting the the US Navy (and hence, the ARC-5) ever used the T-47A/ART-13.  The A and B models of the ART-13 were part of the USAAF's AN/ARC-8.  USN installations should use the non-A or B models of the ART-13, or an ATC.  The main differences between the T-47 and the T-47A is the A model having a top-lid control power interlock switch, a better vernier scale on the MO dial A that allowed more precise frequency setting, and a USAAF-style nomenclature tag rather than the rounded USN-type tag.

I decided to create a post-war ART-13 and ARR-15 set, but good luck on finding the ARR-15 rack and control box if you go this route.  Until the ARR-15 came out, the USN never had a receiver that matched the capability of the ART-13, yet even the ARR-15 lacks coverage of the frequencies that the O-16/ART-13 LF oscillator could provide.

73,
Mike / KK5F