[Milsurplus] Antenna Reel Question

[J. Forster]

I recently picked up an antenna reel unit. It has no markings beyond the number
66845-2 on the reel and the USN anchor symbol on the mount.

The reel itself is made of black bakelite and steel, roughly 10" OD and 7" ID
and about 1.5" inches wide ( I didn't use a ruler) and is wound with what
appears to be finely stranded phosphor bronze wire, like wire rope,, about #16.
I'd guess there are several hundred feet of wire still on the reel.

The reel locks onto a spindle, attached to a square roughly 5" x 5" flat
mounting base, with bearings, friction brake, and crank handle. The friction is
adjustable with a knob. It looks like it's designed to mount to a bulkhead and
reel the wire out behind a big airplane (bomber ?). I would suspect there is
supposed to be a weight or something on the end of the wire.

Can anyone ID the thing? What's it part of?

Thanks,
-John