AN/ARC-21 - AN/ARC-65 (was: Re: [Milsurplus] ARR-41 Info)

[Mike Morrow]

Mac wrote:

>If I remember correctly, the AN/ARC-21 was the basis and
>may have actually been converted to the AN/ARC-65 which
>we had in the B-52Fs I flew in.

That's true.  The manual for the AN/ARC-65 contains a section describing the conversion of the RT-128A/ARC-21 to the RT-400/ARC-65, done in order to get the new USB set into service as soon as possible.  Evidently, that's where most AN/ARC-21 sets disappeared.  The AN/ARC-65 was also manufactured as complete new units by RCA.

The Collins AN/ARC-58 eventually won out over the AN/ARC-65.  It was much higher power and significantly smaller and lighter, since it used 400 Hz AC supplies and no dynamotors.  That's what all the 97th Bomb Wing B-52 and KC-135 aircraft carried at Blytheville AFB in the mid-1960s.

I feel for the radio techs who had to man-handle that 145 lb RT-128A or RT-400 drum out of and back in to the aircraft for service.  At least the heaviest of the individual units of the AN/ARC-58 weighed no more than about 60 lb.

I believe that RCA used expertise gained from the USB conversion of the RT-128A/ARC-21 to the RT-400/ARC-65 project to develop the USB conversion of the USN's Collins RT-311/ARC-38 to the Collins/RCA RT-594/ARC-38A.

Mike / KK5F