Fw: Re: Fw: Re: [Milsurplus] Re: RS-6 Radio use

[windy10605 at juno.com]

I sent a scanned copy of the pertinent pages to Breck since he asked for
them and we'll see what he says. I'm on a phone line so it takes a while,
maybe he can post it. 

Since I mentioned they could be put in flight suit pockets, let me
clarify ....I don't believe this radio was ever meant as one you BAIL
with. Especially, since one of the items of a RS-6 set is "Generator,
GN-68, complete w/crank, legs and connecting cord". The point Todd brings
up about a bailout sled or whatever means to retieve the items is a good
one. Whatever was used for the other survival gear..... separate chute ?
The Survival Kit Utilization  list has 4 parts A-1, E-1, D-1-2, and RS-6.
The 47s and 52s mentioned earlier carried several of the A-1 kits and one
RS-6 kit according to this manual. They also carried life rafts. Looking
at the list of items ....signaling, clothing, direction finding, etc
....the item which surprises me a little is the firearm ..."Rifle,
survival. M-4, .22 Hornet.....1 each" and 100-150 rounds. 

I think the RS-6 is broken down into 4 units, plus generator if you have
no AC, for carrying convenience, easier hiding,  and multipurpose
applications around the world. Yes, interconnectivity could have been
made simpler. 

I don't think you wanted a "spot" switch on clandestine/survival gear
because you were issued a crystal to use for Tx which "home" was well
aware of. I would think you would want "Home" to transmit on a
predetermined separate frequency to reduce the likelyhood of DFing your 
signal. From the RS-6 manual insert ...."Crystal (in the event of war
crystal will be changed per SAC directive)". The RS-6 kit contents, last
item says, "Shock Absorbing Material" ....I bet.

73 Kees K5BCQ 
 
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Todd, KA1KAQ" <ka1kaq at gmail.com>
To: "windy10605 at juno.com" <windy10605 at juno.com>
Cc: milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:35:09 -0500
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: [Milsurplus] Re: RS-6 Radio use
Message-ID: <9ccb8c510501250835be256d1 at mail.gmail.com>
References: <20050125.081857.13418.97376 at webmail12.nyc.untd.com>

On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:18:06 GMT, windy10605 at juno.com
<windy10605 at juno.com> wrote:
> 
> I'm not resistant to that idea at all, and it's probably true, but the
subject Manual 64-1 from Headquarters Eighth Air Force is "proof" to me
that they were used in, or intended for use in, those SAC planes.

Kees - 

My understanding is that there was some type of a 'bail out sled'
carried in the belly of the B-47 where this outfit was located. As
others have said, if you eject with anything particularly heavy
attached, the 'chute deployment will likely be the event that causes
you to part company with said item. This was clearly demonstrated on
D-Day when the airborne troops used the leg bags. A lot of firsthand
accounts of lost bags due to opening shock.

I wonder if there was some type of survival pod for the B-52 or other
aircraft with equipment like this enclosed? It would seem to make
sense, at least until you bailed out at night, in a storm, and tried
to locate it. Perhaps the idea and planning worked much better on
paper and in manuals than in practice, which could account for crew
members having no recollection of the RS-6?

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ