[Milsurplus] Odd Control Box Info Needed - Mosquito Bendix

[Mike Morrow]

I wrote:

>More related and interesting info on the Mosquito radio installation
>is at:
>http://jproc.ca/ve3fab/mosquito.html

John wrote:

>I collect the RA-10 and MN-26 but not the TA-12 and the box had the
>look of that system.

I've always been intrigued by the RA-10 and TA-12 system.  For some unknown reason, components of the complete system are today fairly hard to find, except for the TA-12.  It took me more than a decade to finally get almost everything for a complete RA-10DB/TA-12B system, including the LF/MF antenna coil MT-53B.  I lack some of the connectors, plus the MT-18B microphone jack box (which would not be required in a system using your MI-22B).  I'm looking for the detailed instruction book for the TA-12B (not the generic TA-12 book).

>Do you think the SCR-522 was the command set and the TA-12 the
>liaison set?

Exactly.  Notice that the MT-11B Morse key (identical to the USN Cxx-26003 key) is prominent at the radio operator's position.  Morse was essentially the only mode used for liason communications in that era.  Controls MR-9B and MT-51C for the RA-10 and TA-12 are only at the radio operator's station, not the pilot's.  The SCR-522 control box BC-602-B is at the pilot's position, as one would expect for the command set.

The SCR-522 is four-channel VHF-AM, built initially by Bendix for both US and UK service.  It was the dominant Allied VHF command set in the ETO.

All of the communications gear in the Mosquito is Bendix-made, which must have been convenient.

>I also find it interesting that the aircraft was apparently fitted
>with the MN-26 and RA-10, BOTH of which had some DF capability 
>(assuming the RA-10 was fitted with a loop....  it may not have been.

The DF capability of the RA-10DB is not being used on the Mosquito.  The RA-10DB has the MR-11D loop relay unit installed, but no external connections are made to it.  There is also no MN-52B loop control/azimuth indicator box installed, which is part of any RA-10DB DF installation.

The MN-26C was more versatile in having a wider DF frequency range and in not tying up the liason communications receiver for DF functions.  The DF loop in the Mosquito is mounted *inside* the airframe and thus is not visible in aircraft external pictures.  That worked because of the plywood construction of the fuselage of the Mosquito.

Mike / KK5F