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

[Scott Johnson]

There is also a three phase 400Hz supply for the ARC-21/65 (I have one!, 
I also have a 400Hz supply for the 618S.)

Scott

Mike Morrow wrote:
> 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
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